- College Search
- Moody’s College List Builder Start your search with this limited college list and use the book Fiske Guide to Colleges, Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL), and college websites to evaluate the specific colleges. Then move on to the Big Future website for a broader search using Fiske and CTCL for valuable overviews.
- Big Future College Board Provides college match tool using geography, size, SAT/ACT scores, career/major, and more. It also has other useful planning tools.
- Collegedata Provides college search, comprehensive statistics, college chances calculator, net price calculator, and college buzz including a counselors corner. You will also find 6-month job placement rates for colleges here.
- College Transitions Provides comprehensive statistics relating to admissions, campus life, enrollment, college lists by major, summer programs by interest, and more.
- Unigo Provides a college match tool including basic criteria, academics (GPA, SAT/ACT), learning style and adaptability input. Also has student reviews and a scholarship finder.
- Niche Provides rankings and comments about colleges based on Department of Education information, and millions of student and alumni reviews. Topics include the best value, academics, professors, reviews, specific programs, and more.
- College Xpress Useful listings based on experts, facts, and/or user input. Lists may range from Colleges That Build Moral Character to Top Engineering Schools and the source of the listings is provided.
- Fiske Guide to Colleges Encyclopedia of colleges providing brief comprehensive college overviews. Best used after students have identified colleges of interest based on basic criteria. Purchase online or in a bookstore.
- Applications
- Financial Aid
- Financial Aid Information (includes loans, grants, repayment calculator, scholarships, etc.)
- EFC (Effective Family Contribution) Calculator Provides an estimate of what aid you might be eligible for and what colleges will expect you to pay. The optimal tool is an individual college’s Net Price Calculator. Keep in mind these tools provide only estimates.
- FAFSA Application
- CSS Profile
- Scholarships
- PSAT, SAT, and ACT Testing
- ACT Test Dates, Registration, and Practice Information
- PSAT and SAT Test Dates, Registration and Practice Information
- Test Prep Calendar and Study Recommendations
- Khan Academy SAT Test Prep Provides great SAT test prep for self-motivated students. Also, a terrific source for learning about computer science and other subjects.
- ACT Academy Provides test prep for the ACT for the self-motivated student.
- SAT/ACT Converter Provides comparisons of SAT and ACT scores.
- Considerations in Selecting a Test Prep Tutor
- Kaplan FREE On-Line Practice Tests
- Self Guided Test Preparation – How and How Much
- Summer Activities
- 50 Ways to Spend Your Summer
- Coursera.org and Edx.org Free Summer College Courses from Top-Notch Universities
- Pre-College Summer Career Discovery Programs
- Pre-College Summer Programs
- TASP Free Leadership, Democracy and Service Program
- College Visits
- Gap Year
- College Majors and Career Planning
- Exploring College Majors
- Career Exploration
- Poets and Quants for Undergrads Source of information on top undergraduate business programs, internships and more.
- Computer Science Overview of computer science and different jobs within this burgeoning field. Start here to learn more about options.
- Essay Writing
- College Essay Guy: Ethan Sawyer Provides invaluable information on writing essays and more. Lots of FREE stuff. Look at brainstorming ideas, guidance for your personal statement, supplemental essays, and activities list.
- 35 College Essay Idea Generation Techniques
- College Coach’s Perspective on Essays – Be You
- Johns Hopkins Admissions Counselors Perspectives on Student Essays
- Camping Essay: Suggested Rev. & Final Essay