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Best Resources for College Admissions Information
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There are dozens of websites and hundreds of books with information on colleges, applications, standardized tests, financial aid, and every other aspect of the admissions process. Much of it is valid, but much of it is also redundant and unnecessary. Many high school guidance counselors have a wealth of knowledge to share, but some are swamped with hundreds of students that they must assist with course selections, discipline, and other issues.
Parents and students can learn about the process from a handful of superior sources and navigate their way through as informed partners.
Here’s what you need to know and where you can find it:
For an overview of the current admissions process, get a copy of The New Rules of College Admissions: Ten Former Admissions Officers Reveal What it Takes to Get Into College Today (Fireside Books). Its sound advice and range of topics (extracurriculars, choosing a college, interviews, recommendations) will give you a broad understanding; it’s a great place to start.
To learn about standardized tests, including what’s on them, when they’re offered, and how to register, look no further than the sources themselves (other sites contain some information that is not accurate): www.collegeboard.com (SAT) and www.act.org (ACT). Both sites have practice questions, practice tests, and advice for achieving a higher score. If you’re taking the SAT, be sure to sign up for the best free test prep tool around: the SAT Question of the Day can be delivered to your inbox every morning, and the site will even keep track of your results.
Find out what’s on college admissions counselors’ minds atwww.nacacnet.org. The National Association of College Admissions Counseling is made up of those who make the yea or nay decisions, and they share their preferences and experiences in an annual survey. The Student Resources page has a link to buy their Guide for Parents—also worth a look.
Get the lowdown on individual schools with a college guide. You can probably find copies of those from Princeton Review, Fiske, US News & World Report, Barron’s and others in the guidance department of every high school. To search online, click back to www.collegeboard.com for their college finder.
Worried about the cost of college (which increases at about twice the rate of inflation, so who isn’t)? Get sound financial advice, and apply for federal aid at www.finaid.org. Learn about loans, scholarships and savings options. Calculators such as a college cost projector and savings plan designer can help you determine what you can afford.
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- Share your insights, observations, and tips. Email Lauren (lauren@laurenstarkey.com) to inquire about being featured in an upcoming column.
- College Board: practice questions, test, question of the day (free email service)
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- Kaplan's Sparknotes: complete prep site
- Princeton Review: free practice test
