It’s hard to believe it’s already May! It feels like just yesterday the school year started and seniors were beginning to work on their college applications. Started in the in the United States by former first lady Michelle Obama, College Signing Day or National Decision Day, was started in 2015 to celebrate student achievement and university admission for all students. We’re making it global and here’s how you can share your excitement with the world.
How to join the event as an IB student
In full IB fashion, we’ve taken to celebrating this momentous day in the IB way: by highlighting students from across the globe. We’re asking for IB World Schools, students, coordinators, counselors, teachers and parents to get involved:
- Take a photo or video telling us about your university destination
- Tag the IB’s official alumni network Twitter and/or Instagram channels
- use #ibalumni to get our attention and include #collegesigningday #bettermakeroom #reachhigher to join the national US campaign
- We want to highlight students going to all types of institutions: public, private, small, large, selective, 4-year or 2-year
- And most importantly, we encourage all IB students to participate: IB diploma (DP), IB Career-related Programme (DP) and course students
- College gear or apparel is not required, but if you’re feeling creative we encourage signs
We are excited to announce that Sarah Belland will be attending Texas A&M University! #ibproud #mhsib #bethegood pic.twitter.com/oaq1J42KJE
— Magnolia IB (@IBatMHS) April 11, 2019
An opportunity to tell your story, Grade 12....take it. #RWAgrade12 #RWArisktakers @RWA_HEA @IBAlumniNetwork https://t.co/9ZqB8qdRdU
— IBDP | Raffles World Academy (@RWA_IBDP) May 1, 2019
Hey, #ClassOf2019! Guess what?! We’re sharing YOUR plans for the future in Times Square! Post a photo in your college shirt using #BetterMakeRoom and #CollegeSigningDay to be featured! ✨ pic.twitter.com/JbFX985TAk
— Better Make Room 🎓 (@BetterMakeRoom) May 1, 2019
IB senior, AJ Adesso is heading to FSU in the fall! Congratulations, AJ! @BeckyAdesso pic.twitter.com/6l2Q9Ro6KE
— DeLand IB Program (@IB_Bulldogs) April 30, 2019
How college signing day started with US high schools:
For many years in the US, high school senior athletes have been celebrated in February for signing their letters of intent for NCAA athletic teams. But celebration for academic achievement to attend the very same schools had been missing. College Signing Day has offered the opportunity to celebrate all students who have committed to continuing their education after high school.
Since 2015, former first lady Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher Initiative has worked to connect directly with students. Each year the campaign shares short videos and pictures on social media of students announcing their college and university decisions, usually sporting some college gear in the photo or video.
Ready to join the celebration? Post and tag the IB Alumni Network on Twitter and Instagram. Our team based in Washington, DC will be looking for your college signing day story! To receive regular updates from the IB alumni network, visit ibo.org/alumni.
More stories from college bound #IBalumni:
DP grad Rucha Benare shares how she navigated her first year of university as a an international student.
Vincent Blake, DP alum, shares why he chose to attend community college and why it might be the right choice for you.