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Resources

Every day we use numerous resources to help our students and families.  Below are a few that might be useful.


College Search Process

Big Future – College search site where students can search by inputting numerous characteristic of interest (College Board)

Colleges that Change Lives – Information about each school included in the book (below)

College Navigator – Produced by the National Center for Education Statistics – searchable database with a wealth of data on individual colleges, including admissions, cost, outcomes, enrollment, and more

Public Honors Colleges -A site that describes and rates numerous honors programs and colleges in the United States  

College Data – College search site (must create account -- free)

College Express – College and scholarship search site (must create account – free)

Books

The Fiske Guide to Colleges, Edward Fiske (published annually) – useful guide written for students that includes basic information on many colleges

Colleges that Change Lives: 40 Schools that Will Change the Way You Think About College, Loren Pope (also under Websites) Loren Pope, and the CTCL organization, specifically selected these 40 or so schools because of their extremely strong commitment to outstanding undergraduate education; they each offer unique opportunities for students. They are all small liberal arts colleges or universities all over the country.  

College Match: A Blueprint for Choosing the Best School for You, Steven R. Antonoff, Ph. D.


Financial Aid

FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid (required for all families applying for financial aid)

FAFSA Forecaster – Tool to help estimate eligibility for federal student financial aid

CSS/ProfileAdditional financial aid form required by many private colleges (administered by the College Board, not free)

FinAid – Extensive information about financial aid


Scholarships

WashBoard -Scholarship search site/match site for students in Washington state

Fastweb – Scholarship search site

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) – A regional organization of 16 western states that offers reduced tuition for students within those states who attend participating public universities


College Applications

Common Application – The application used by over 750 colleges/universities

The AXS Companion  — A free, online resource to help students complete the Common Application. It contains short videos for every section of the Common Application as well as tips, glossary, and links to additional resources.

University of California — The application platform used by the University of California system

Cal State Apply – The application platform used for the California State University System (e.g., CalPoly)

The Common Black Application – The application that can be used to apply to over 60 HBCUs


Testing/Resources/Free Test Prep

ACT (ACT)

College Board (SAT, Subject tests, AP)

FairTest (National Center for Fair & Open Testing) works address issues of fairness in standardized testing and maintains a list (now over 1000) of test optional / flexible schools

Khan Academy (SAT) – Provides free SAT test prep

ACT Academy (ACT)  - Provides free ACT test prep


Learning Differences & Mental Health Resources

CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) – Lots of useful resources related to ADHD

Child Mind Institute  - A non-profit that has many resources related to mental health in children and teens

Learning Disabilities Association of America -   Information and support for people with learning disabilities and those who work with them, also does advocacy

LD Online – Information and advice about learning differences and ADHD

From High School to College: Steps to Success for Students with Learning Disabilities, Elizabeth Hamblet

Student Guide to Mental Health Treatment – A helpful guide for students and families prepared by McLean Hospital

Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity – Lots of resources/information related to dyslexia


Other Online Resources for the Search Process

Applying to College as a Trans Student — useful information and resources

Campus Pride Index – National listing of LGBTQ+ friendly colleges & universities

Campus Q – Free resources for LGBTQ+ students and their counselors

Canadian Universities – Information about universities in Canada

College Equity Index — An index that grades over 300 colleges and universities on accessibility & affordability, diversity, campus culture, and outcomes for Black students

HBCU Connect – Information about and listing of Historically Black Colleges and Universities

HBCU Lifestyle - Insight, rankings, scholarships, resources, and information about life at HBCUs

Hillel College Guide – Hillel International guide to colleges

Jesuit Colleges/Universities  -- Association of the 28 Jesuit Colleges & Universities

LiberalArtsColleges -- This site provides information about liberal arts colleges and the value they provide to students

LGBTQ+ Youth Resources — Includes sample email to notify professors about identity preferences

NCAA Eligibility Center – The starting point for student athletes

Women’s College Coalition – Information about and listing of women’s colleges


Virtual Campus Visit Sites

CampusTours – Provides virtual campus tours

YouVisit -- Provides virtual campus tours


College Majors/Careers/Self-Evaluation

Career Explorer Online tool that helps match interests to college majors and careers (free)

College Majors 101 Provides information about numerous majors

MyMajors — Answer question to lead to potential majors and careers (must have account -- free)

What Can I do with a Major in… — Created by UNC, Wilmington, this site gives guidance on majors and careers

16 Personalities — Online personality test similar to Myers-Briggs (free for basic analysis)


Gap Year/Semester Resources

Gap Year Association -  GYA is a non-profit organization that provides accreditation and standard-setting for gap year programs

Semester Schools Network – This network represents 13 schools offering semester-long programs for high school students


Other Books & Resources we Found Interesting

Anti-racism library curated by LeanIn.org - an extensive list of books, articles, podcasts, videos, and organizations Here is the link.

The Dyslexic Advantage, Brock Eide MD and Fernette Eide MD

Enough as She Is: How to Help Girls Move Beyond Impossible Standards of Success to Live Healthy, Happy, and Fulfilling Lives, Rachel Simmons

Excellent Sheep: The Miseducation of the American Elite and the Way to a Meaningful Life, William Deresiewicz

Fraternity: An Inside Look at a Year of College Boys Becoming Men, Alexandra Robbins

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, Angela Duckworth

Harvard’s Graduate School of Education’s Making Caring Common Project put together a great collection of resources and tips for families and teens that focus on helping foster "caring and concern for the common good at school, at home, and in our communities.” Here is a link.

How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success, Julie Lythcott-Haimes

Mindset, Carol Dweck

Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls, Lisa Damour (and other books by this author)

Where You Go is not Who You’ll Be, Frank Bruni