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TN Path to College Events

TN College Application & Exploration Month

As you begin to plan your College Application and Exploration Month, tailor the events to the needs of your school. From the timing of events to the location, work with your school’s administrators and teachers to plan an event that works best for your school and students.

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Event Resources

September is Tennessee’s official TN College Application & Exploration Month—a statewide effort to spark excitement about college, build awareness of the application process at every grade level, and ensure every senior has the opportunity to apply.

This year brings an added milestone: the statewide launch of Direct Admissions for the Class of 2027. Throughout September, College Application & Exploration Month will build toward a new annual celebration—Claim Your Spot TN—on September 30.

For younger students, the focus should be on fun, age‑appropriate college and career exploration activities. TN Path to College resources are available to help schools plan for each week of the month.

Below you’ll find a recommended September activity schedule designed to lead your school community smoothly and enthusiastically toward Claim Your Spot TN on September 30.

2026-2027 Dates

  • Week 1 (Aug. 31-Sept. 4): Intro to College Week – Bingo
  • Week 2 (Sept. 7-11): Exploration of College Week – College Finder, Career Finder, Life Style Calculator, Next Guide,
  • Week 3 (Sept. 14-18): Why Apply Week – Jeans and College T-shirt for #WhyApply Week September 18
  • Week 4 (Sept. 21-25): Prepare to Apply week – Counseling one-on-ones, family conversations, etc.
  • Week 5 (Sept. 28-Oct. 2): College Application Week and Direct Admissions “Claim Your Spot TN” – Sep. 30
Why Apply Day is Friday, September 18th

On Friday, September 18, 2025, THEC/TSAC encourages everyone to wear college gear (t-shirt, hats, pins, etc.) and share why they believe students should apply to college and/or why they applied to college, using the hashtags #WhyApply and #TNCollegeAppMonth. We love seeing your posts across all social media platforms. 

Not sure what to post? You might:

  • Print off the WHY APPLY Template, write a reason students should apply to college, and post a photo of you holding it
  • Type a short response in your status
  • Make a video of yourself, your kids, or your students answering the question
  • Draw a picture depicting your reasons
  • Share an image or photo with your reason
College App Month Social Media Toolkit

We have put together ready-made social media posts and captions to make College Application and Exploration Month outreach easy for your school! Feel free to use these posts on your school’s social media pages, email communications, and school websites. 

College App Month Social Media Toolkit
Social Media and Outreach

Reaching out to local media is a wonderful way to increase community awareness of and involvement in college access work. Path to College events are a positive reflection of work happening in your community and inviting the media will shine a spotlight on the work you’re doing through the program. Likewise, social media outlets will allow you to spread the word about your events quickly at no cost.

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Volunteer Engagement

Volunteers provide several benefits to your Path to College Events. They can ensure that students sign in to your event, that students and families are directed to the correct locations, and help support students in key tasks like filling out a college application or a FAFSA. In addition to manpower, volunteer involvement provides your students and families with a sense of community support that is a key ingredient to a thriving college-going culture. When students see a volunteer from a local business or higher education institution who is taking time from their day to help with a Path to College event, it sends a message that the community cares about student success.