Resources for College Planning
There is an enormous amount of information on college planning on the web, in magazines and books and from government agencies that is constantly being changed or updated. My goal in offering this list is to provide a few key resources with links to information I consider helpful for parents and students doing their research. Remember to use a combination of resources in order to get a full picture of what any specific college or university has to offer.
Financing Your College Education
FASTWEB • scholarship & financial aid
VSAC • tools, advice and more
FEDERAL STUDENT AID • financing college
FAFSA • federal form for aid, FAFSA4caster
Researching Colleges
COLLEGE SCORE CARD • US Dept of Education sponsored tool
COLLEGE NAVIGATOR • National Center for Education Statistics
US NEWS • interesting rankings
NICHE • student rankings and reviews
COLLEGE DATA • comprehensive data
COLLEGE PROWLER • anecdotal info from students
COLLEGE CONFIDENTIAL • college reviews & more
Virtual Tours & Videos
YOUNIVERSITYTV • campus tour videos
CAMPUS TOURS • interactive virtual tours
Standardized Testing/Test Optional
FAIR TEST • list of schools not requiring SAT or ACT
ACT • register for the ACT, find practice materials
COLLEGE BOARD • register for the SAT, personalized study guide with Khan Academy
Choosing a Major
MY NEXT MOVE • career search info
COLLEGE MAJORS 101 • descriptions of majors & college programs
Applications
COMMON APP • view requirements of common application and essays
COALITION FOR COLLEGE ACCESS • application used by select schools & universities
Gap Year
USA GAP YEAR FAIRS ORGANIZATION
AMERICAN GAP YEAR ORGANIZATION
Recommended Books and Reference Materials
Where You Go Is Not Who You Will Be -Frank Bruni
Book of Majors -College Board
The Gatekeepers -Jacques Steinberg
There Is Life After College -Jeffrey Selingo
College Match -Steve Antonoff
Colleges That Change Lives -Loren Pope
Fiske Guide to Colleges -Edward B. Fiske