FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ready Set College?

Ready Set College is a comprehensive college and career planning website, designed to provide parents and students with best practices and proven strategies to achieve successful academic and professional careers. Included is a resource library with materials geared specifically for students, parents and high school counselors.

Who should use Ready Set College?

Anyone involved in the college process from ninth to twelfth grade. This includes students, parents, guardians, and high school counselors.

What colleges and universities can I learn about?

There is information about the over 400 private colleges and universities a part of the SAGE Scholars Consortium.

What is the Profile button?

The Profile button is Ready Set College's account sign up and sign in page. After registering an accout a student has the opportunity to create a SAGE Scholars Student Profile.

What is the SAGE Scholars Student Profile and why should I complete it?

The SAGE Scholars Student Profile is a student reported academic transcript. It asks for information similar to a college application, such as grades, test scores and classes taken. However, unlike other college applications, it does not require an essay. Once completed, the student can send the Student Profile to any college or university in the SAGE Scholars network. This allows the college to get to know the student prior to a campus visit - whether in-person or virtual.

What if I have already registered for Ready Set College or am a member of SAGE Scholars?

Just sign in! The site will remember you as a member and/or a return user.

What information is available under the College button?

Students can view SAGE Scholars member colleges and universities, do a college search with specific criteria, or search for the college by name. Each college in Ready Set College contains information about location, majors, application deadlines, important admission considerations, tuition and fees, financial aid, public transportation options, student body composition, faculty information, campus life, housing, activities and sports (both varsity and club). You will also find materials geared specifically for students, parents and high school counselors.

What information is available under the Majors button?

Students can research specific college majors, find out what careers are commonly associated with that major, and which SAGE Scholars colleges offer that major. Students can also look up majors by colleges that offer them and associated careers.

What information is available under the Career button?

Students can take a short or long survey to discover what careers may fit their interests and personality. Look up specific careers and learn key facts regarding salary, geographic demand, skills and abilities required, education requirements, tasks, work style, and values. Students can look up careers by category, specific skills, abilities, interests, tasks and education level required.

What information is available under the Funding button?

In the Funding section students and parents will find custom calculators to help prepare for the cost of college. The first calculates what percentage of income a family should save to meet a specific college funding goal. Users can change income, savings, savings growth and gifts and see how it affects their savings requirement. There is also a calculator that compares the cost of saving for college ahead of time with the repayment cost of taking out a loan in the same amount. There are numerous articles about paying for college, the cost of college, financial aid and scholarships, as well as other funding topics. Ready Set College account holders have access to Beyond Financial Aid: Funding Strategies for College Costs. Writen by Dr. James B. Johnston, the Founder and President of SAGE Scholars, a leader in the field of higher education.

What is available under the Library button?

The Library has articles on topics such as paying for college, financial aid, the college admissions process, college majors and careers. SAGE Scholars has created 'timelines" that tell students (and their parents) what actions they should be taking depending on their grade level. Articles are grouped by topic, and groups that might be of special interests to students, parents and high school counselors.

What resources can I save and how do I find them?

Once a student creates an account on Ready Set College they can save any college, major or career they look at - just click the "Save" button. Visits and the SAGE Scholars Student Profile are saved automatically once they are created. To access your saved resources, click on the Profile button (top right) and selecting "Saved Resources".

I am a high school counselor. How can Ready Set College help me?

Ready Set College is a valuable tool for high school counselors. We work with over 400 private colleges and universities. Ready Set College contains information on over 1100 careers and 3400 college majors. Our career surveys are easy for students to use, and we develop content that meets career education requirements in most states. Having your students complete their SAGE Scholars Student Profile gives them an opportunity to introduce themselves directly to colleges. The library has tools that will help you guide your students through the college process.

Are there only private colleges on Ready Set College?

Yes, SAGE Scholars created Ready Set College to be a comprehensive college and career planning website that features consortuium colleges and universities. Ready Set College is designed to provide parents and students with best practices and proven strategies to achieve successful college careers. SAGE Scholars was formed in 1995 by Dr. James Johnston, former Director of Admissions & Financial Aid at the Wharton Graduate School, to promote access and affordability of private higher education. There are over 400 private colleges and universities in the SAGE Scholars College Consortium. We believe in the value and quality of private higher education. That's why we also offer comprehensive college and career planning tools to help prepare students every step of the way.