Freshman Year

• Get acquainted with your counselor.  They are your resource person while in high school.
• Plan an activities schedule that may include participation in one or more: athletics, drama, music, student government, school-related activities, job, and community service.
• Begin to think about, talk about, ask questions about specific colleges.
• Develop strong work habits; if necessary obtain tutoring.
• Investigate your eligibility for Honors and Advanced Placement courses for your Sophomore year.
• Visit the school’s College & Career Center, located in room AD 241, to learn about the information available there.
• Study diligently to maintain the highest grades possible.

Sophomore Year

• Keep a strong relationship with your counselor and stay informed.
• Take difficult courses in the areas in which you excel.  
• Maintain strong study habits to achieve your maximum potential.  
• Begin to study college and vocational catalogs, guides and related reference materials.  
• Take the FREE Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) in October at SRHS.  
• Investigate your eligibility for Honors and Advanced Placement courses for Junior year.  
• Consider summer work experience.  
• If you have not yet found an extracurricular activity at SRHS, investigate the possibilities that are available and get involved in some way to compliment your academic growth.  

Junior Year

• Attend SRHS College Night for Juniors with your parents
• Take the FREE PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) in October at SRHS.
• Make it your responsibility to listen and read the daily bulletin and the CCC newsletter emails for announcements of college and vocational school representatives’ visits to campus, events, and other important information.
• Check the requirements/costs of attending various colleges.
• Visit the campus or campuses of your choice during school breaks. 
• Take the SAT Reasoning or ACT with writing/SAT Subject Tests in Spring of your Junior year. There are review courses available, study booklets, practice tests, free online resources.
• Investigate your eligibility for Honors, and AP (Advanced Placement) courses in your Senior year.
• Take the ASVAB test if you’re interested in the possibility of joining the military.

Senior Year

• Take SAT Reasoning (or ACT with Writing) and SAT Subject Tests for the school(s) to which you wish to apply no later than the December test date.
• Work diligently on current studies, as colleges are particularly interested in students maintaining rigorous academic discipline in the Senior year.
• Obtain college application forms by applying online at the official websites: University of California, California State University, or Common App.  Complete and submit all applications BEFORE THE DEADLINE DATES (December 2nd for BOTH UC/CSU).  
• Request transcripts be sent to Colleges. The first three are free with a fee of $3.00 for each additional transcript; a $5.00 fee for former students.  
• Request letters of recommendation from your teachers if specified on college and scholarship applications. Remember to give your teachers and your counselor at least three weeks advance notice and to have your About Me completed by the deadlines. This provides your recommender with more information about you. 
• Attend all college information sessions as announced in the bulletin.  
• Apply for financial aid if eligible.  
• Attend Financial Aid Information Night (in January).  
• Keep a record of what college admissions procedures you have completed; keep your counselor informed as you formulate plans or revise them.  
• If qualified, take Advanced Placement Exams.
• Take the ASVAB if interested in the possibility of joining the military.
• Be sure to complete Senior Survey (in May). It helps us keep track of scholarships and college acceptances as well as notifies the Counseling Office where to send your Final Transcript.