College Knowledge Month

This month is dedicated to exploring and learning more about college. The College Readiness Consortium will post challenging and engaging college readiness activities at the beginning of each week in October, beginning September 28. Each week will revolve around an essential area of readiness from our Ramp-Up to Readiness program. The College Readiness Consortium’s definition of college includes two-year, four-year, apprenticeships, and any technical or military programs that provide a transferable credential.

An orange triangle with the words ramp-up to readiness

UMN’s College Knowledge Month activities are open to all students in grades 6-12 across the United States. Each week students who participate and complete an activity will be entered into a drawing for a free University of Minnesota water bottle. 

A water bottle with a black top and the word "Minnesota" in gold letters with a maroon background.

Important Details: 

  • The College Readiness Consortium’s College Knowledge Month runs September 28-October 31, 2026.
  • College Knowledge activities are open to any students in grades 6-12 in the United States.
  • Each week’s activities will be updated on this webpage. Be sure to follow us on Instagram (umn_collegeready) for updates on the college readiness activities!
  • Check back each week as we update our website with a new essential area of college readiness.
  • Complete each week's activity to enter to win one of five UMN water bottles. Each week that you complete and submit an activity will enter your name into the drawing - for up to five entries!
  • The last day to submit activities will be Saturday, October 31, 2026 at 11:59PM CST. Winners will be drawn the following week and notified via email.
  • Contact College Readiness Coordinator Maggie Bergeron with any questions.

Thank you to UMN Bookstores for donating our water bottle prizes!

Logo with Maroon M and the word Bookstore over University of Minnesota

College Knowledge Month Activities

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College Knowledge Month Activities

College Knowledge Week #1 - September 28 through October 2

Week #1: Academic Readiness

Happy College Knowledge Month!

Week #1 focuses on Academic Readiness: The ability to succeed in first-year, credit-bearing courses at a technical college, a community college or a four-year college or university. 

This week's College Knowledge activity is based on the Ramp-Up to Readiness program, and it helps you to develop your Academic Readiness through reflection on the current classes you are taking, thinking about what support you need in one of your classes, and exploring Khan Academy's YouTube channel to find a video that supports your work. 

To complete the Week #1 College Knowledge Activity:

  1. Fill out and submit this College Knowledge - Week 1: Academic Readiness form by 11:59 PM on October 2. You must complete all of the questions in order to be entered into the drawing to win a University of Minnesota water bottle. 

Good luck!

College Knowledge Week #2 - October 5 through 9

Week #2: Admissions Readiness

Welcome to the second week of College Knowledge Month!

Week #2 focuses on Admissions Readiness: The ability to meet admissions requirements at a range of postsecondary institutions.

This week's College Knowledge activity is from the Ramp-Up to Readiness program, and it helps you to develop your Admissions Readiness by exploring different schools online, their requirements for admissions, and the College Scorecard’s “Tests and Acceptance” page.

There are many different kinds of college that vary in cost, degrees offered, focus, length of time it takes to get a degree, how classes are taught, etc. 

Here are four types of college and the kinds of degrees they typically offer:

  • Technical or Career Colleges (usually between 1-2 years)
    • Certificate or degree for a specific job like carpenter, mechanic, chef, cosmetologist
  • Community Colleges (2-year schools)
    • Associate Degree or certificate: leads to high skill careers such as dental hygiene, law enforcement, web design, radiation therapist
  • Universities and Colleges (4-year schools)
    • Bachelor’s Degree in areas like business, education, engineering, nursing, music, arts, biology
  • Online Colleges--can earn up to a doctorate degree (depending on the degree pursued, can take up to 12 years)
    • Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree

To complete the Week #2 College Knowledge Activity:

  1. Fill out the College Knowledge - Week #2: Admissions Readiness Google Form.
  2. Submit this form by 11:59 PM on October 9. Remember, you must complete all of the questions in order to be entered into the drawing to win a University of Minnesota water bottle.

College Knowledge Week #3 - October 12 through 16

Week #3: Career Readiness

Check back on October 12 for the Week #3 activity.

College Knowledge Week #4 - October 19 through 23

Week #4: Financial Readiness

Check back on October 19 for the Week #4 activity.

College Knowledge Week #5 - October 26 through 30

Week #5: Social Emotional Readiness

Check back on October 26 for the Week #5 activity.

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