Applying to college has become an increasingly demanding task. Since you’re probably planning to apply online, why not also use Internet resources to familiarize yourself with the application process before you start? Use the Applying to College Web Guide to figure out where to apply and how to make your college application as strong as it can be.
The College Application
The college application process is a multi-step affair with many deadlines and due dates depending on the school you apply to and the type of application you submit.
Insights for the College Application
- Applying to more than one college? Some schools now accept a common application so that you don’t have to fill out your basic information over and over. See the Common Application Web site to find out which schools accept the application.
- Part of a successful application is applying to the right combination of schools: some reaches, some maybes and some safety schools. Before you start writing essays and getting recommendations, visit College Data, which helps you determine your chances of being admitted to a college.
- One way to prepare for the SAT is to take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) administered by the College Board. To learn more about what’s on the test and how to register, visit the College Board’s PSAT/NMSQT page.
Top Sites for the College Application
The College Board can help prospective college students get started. Find a list of steps that keep you on the right track for college admission throughout each semester of your high school career.
CollegeView leads you step-by-step through the college admissions process. Find basic information about applications and standardized tests, and suggestions on what to ask when taking a tour of a potential college.
Family Education has a series of articles that can help you avoid application mistakes, figure out if early decision is right for you and get advice about asking for letters of recommendation.
The College Board administers the SAT. Look for dates and locations, and register for the test. If you’re a student with a disability, take a look at the “Students with Disabilities” page to see what accommodations may be available to you when taking the SAT.
The ACT lets you register for the test online. Try some of the practice tests before the big day to see explanations of answers before you take the real thing. Also find resources for students with disabilities that are taking the ACT.
College Search Advice
Choosing what college or university you attend may be one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The college search advicein this section offers search tools, rankings and reviews to help you narrow the options and determine what fits you best.
Insights for College Search Advice
- College and university rankings can be useful for exposing certain attributes of schools, but rankings are dependent on endowment funds, alumni giving and other nonacademic factors. Don’t use rankings as the most important way to judge a school; you might miss out on some great institutions.
- Some college admissions offices are now enlisting students to write honest (and sometimes uncensored) blogs about student life. MIT, Cornell and Johns Hopkins are just a few examples of universities using this practice. Check to see if the schools you’re interested in offer similar resources.
- There are many good schools that lie under the radar. Author Loren Pope has written several books directed at students looking for a good match rather than a brand name. Check out “Looking Beyond the Ivy League: Finding the College That’s Right for You” and “Colleges that Change Lives: 40 That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges,” which includes sections for students with learning disabilities as well as for those that are homeschooled.
- Some basic terms that you’ll come across in this guide and in your research include:
- Safety School: a school that will likely accept you.
- Reach School: a school that will be difficult for you to get into.
- Early Action: a nonbinding application that puts you in the first round of applicants.
- Early Decision: a binding application that puts you in the first round of applicants. If you are accepted ED, you are required to attend the school that accepted you. Generally, you can apply to only one school Early Decision.
Top Sites for College Search Advice
Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education, has a “College Matching Wizard” that helps you figure out what factors in a school are most important to you. If you’d simply like to indicate preferences without getting explanations, try the “College Finder“.
Seventeen.com hosts The Princeton Review’s”Counselor-O-Matic,” a tool that allows users to input personal information like SAT scores, GPA, extracurricular activities and more. The “Counselor-O-Matic” then produces a list of safety, good match and reach schools that match your skill level, needs and aspirations.
CollegeNET has a custom college search feature that helps you find the perfect school for you.
The Princeton Review ranks schools in a variety of categories including academics, quality of life, extracurricular activities and more. The Princeton Review purports that the rankings stem from surveys completed by current students, but factors such as alumni endowment may also affect a school’s ranking.
U.S. News & World Report ranks colleges and universities in a variety of categories, such as best up-and-coming colleges and historically black colleges and universities. Search by location, cost or school name to get started.
College Prowler emphasizes unbiased student opinions. The site is divided into categories and gives each school a grade from A through F. Users are able to view limited profiles and student testimonies free of charge.
College View provides a list of questions to ask your college tour guide. Read “Making the Most of a College Tour” before you head out to visit campuses.
CampusTours.com provides statistics and interactive maps to a large array of schools. Once you’re on a school’s homepage, click the “Request a Viewbook & Application” function. You’ll have to register (for free) if you want to take advantage of this service.
eCampusTours.com has a database of more than 1,200 schools available for virtual touring. A free account is required for complete access to its 360-degree tours and interactive tools.
Suite101 provides an amusing list of reasons NOT to consider when choosing a college. Links to other college-based articles are provided at the bottom of the page.
