Planning Timeline

• Preparation for the PSAT/SAT and ACT is now available to all Upper School students through Revolution Prep.
• Take the PSAT 8/9 in October at Sage Ridge.
• Examine your own likes and dislikes, interests, abilities, and activities.
• Attend Freshman Seminars with college counseling emphases, including online learning styles and career interest inventories.
• Become familiar with Naviance guidance systems and college planning resources.
• Use the College Counseling Office for college research and test prep resources, scholarship search tools, etc.
• Begin to compile a list of your activities and involvements using Naviance’s resume builder.
• Consider attending College Q&A program for 9th and 10th grade parents.
• Visit colleges with older siblings and parents just to observe; explore college websites.
• Plan your four-year academic curriculum to build toward rigorous courses.
• Do your best in classes: all semester grades appear on your high school transcript and are important!
• Explore and commit to volunteer/community service, extracurricular, and summer enrichment activities.
• Select one or two involvements to continue throughout high school.
• Read beyond school assignments (fiction, non-fiction, newspapers, etc.) for increased critical analysis. 

• Preparation for the PSAT/SAT and ACT is now available to all Upper School students through Revolution Prep.
• Attend grade-level college advising meetings during select extended advisory sessions.
• Use Naviance to complete the self-discovery personality type assessment; review results.
• Consider attending College Q&A program for 9th and 10th grade parents.
• Attend College Fairs in Reno held in the fall semester.
• Meet with 1-2 College Admissions Reps who visit Sage Ridge in the fall semester.
• Take the PSAT/NMSQT at Sage Ridge (all students are pre-registered).
• Receive PSAT/NMSQT results in November. Consider best test prep strategies for the SAT/ACT moving forward.
• Visit colleges with older siblings and parents just to observe; explore college web pages.
• Update activities and interests on your Naviance resume that you began last year.
• Concentrate on your academic performance.
• Continue volunteer, extracurricular, and summer commitments.
• Begin to discuss college and financing college with parents.
• Consider taking the SAT in May or June. 

• Preparation for the PSAT/SAT and ACT is now available to all Upper School students through Revolution Prep.
• Attend grade-level college advising meetings during select extended advisory sessions.
• Attend the Junior Spring College Application Seminar, an 8-week seminar with our Director of College Counseling to prepare Scorpions for the entire college application process, including asking teachers for recommendations, drafting college essays, creating a college list, planning for campus visits, and more.
• Use Naviance to complete a career cluster finder; review results including specific position details and educational pathways and preparation.
• Make your grades count in all classes, especially your most challenging college prep courses!
• Meet with College Admissions Reps from preferred colleges visiting Sage Ridge in the fall semester.
• Complete Junior Questionnaire (posted online through Compass and required for the junior college application seminar).
• Take the PSAT/NMSQT at Sage Ridge in October (all students are pre-registered) for NMSP consideration.
• Receive PSAT/NMSQT results in November and corresponding National Merit Scholarship Index Score cutoff needed to qualify from Nevada for semifinalist status in the competition.
• Attend College Night program for 11th Grade parents in the spring semester.
• Attend College Fairs in Reno and regionally, if interested.
• Make an appointment with Sage Ridge's Director of College Counseling during the second semester for college planning with parents.
• Visit colleges – Spring Break is a great time to tour campuses.
• Plan to take the SAT and/or ACT in the spring; consider the best ways to prepare for the tests.
• Send inquiries to colleges for additional information about academic programs, admission info; request applications from colleges of interest.
• Make plans early for a productive growth experience for Pre-Senior year summer.
• Update your activities on your Naviance resume in preparation for completing applications. 

August-September

• Preparation for the SAT and ACT is now available to all Upper School students through Revolution Prep.
• Attend the Sage Ridge Senior Year Fall College Application Seminar.
• Build a list of colleges and research these schools online, through mailed materials and college guides.
• Brainstorm essay topics and begin rough draft; review Common Application for topics.
• Update your extracurricular activities list/resume in preparation for completing applications.
• Complete and turn in a draft copy of the online Common Application by the first school day after Labor Day.
• Attend College Night program for students and parents on the first Wednesday after Labor Day, 6-8pm in Loft.
• Register for the fall SAT and/or ACT Test(s).
• Take the September ACT test, if applicable.
• Schedule an appointment with your college counselor for a senior meeting.
• Attend the meetings with college representatives visiting SRS (students only).
• Follow up with teachers from whom you requested letters of recommendation last spring.
• Plan and make final college visits, with interviews when available.
• Research scholarship and financial aid options. 
• Deadlines for Early Action (EA) and Early Decision (ED) typically begin November 1.

October

• For EA/ED, submit required information to the SRS College Counseling Office.
• Share college essay(s) with your college counselor for suggestions and editing assistance.
• Continue to prepare for fall standardized testing.
• Take the SAT and/or ACT, if applicable.
• WORK ON APPLICATIONS!! Pay close attention to financial aid deadlines for ED/EA. 

November

• For Regular Decision colleges, submit required information to SRS College Counseling Office ASAP.
• Complete UC and CSU applications, if applicable – must be submitted online by December 1st.
• Take the SAT, if applicable.
• Register for the January SAT, if desired. 

December

• Submit all remaining information to the SRS College Counseling Office to finalize your college list.
• Take the SAT and/or ACT, if applicable.
• Receive Early Decision/Action notifications; if applicable for students admitted to their top ED school, withdraw other applications and mail your deposit.
• Plan to finish applications BEFORE the holiday break!! 

January

• First semester grades are sent to colleges with a Midyear Report (if required).
• Continue the same level of effort and commitment to your academics – avoid the Senior slump!
• File FAFSA, CSS Profile (if required) and other financial aid paperwork as soon as possible. Be sure to check each college's financial aid website to see what additional forms or information they require. 

February–April

• Continue to check your email and applicant portals for communication from colleges regarding missing items or any additional information they may require.
• College decisions should begin arriving for Regular Decision applications.
• Visit colleges to finalize your decision.
• Continue the same level of effort and commitment to your academics – avoid the Senior slump! College acceptances are contingent on a strong finish to the year.

May-June

• May 1st – College Declaration Day! By this date, you must submit your decision and deposit to the one college of your choice.
• Discuss wait list offers with your college counselor, if applicable.
• Notify all colleges that accepted you, but that you did not select, that you will not enroll.
• Notify the SRS College Counseling Office of your decision and let us celebrate with you!
• GRADUATION! 

Post-Graduation

Your final transcript is sent to your college of choice – then, get ready to go!