Planning for college can be overwhelming. Fortunately (like most things), college prep is easier the second time! There are a large amount of academic resources available. Here are 7 of my favorite academic resources that I think can help NYC high school students and parents succeed in their college application journey:
Standardized Tests
- American College Test – www.act.org
The American College Test (ACT exam) is a national standardized test accepted by many colleges. Many colleges require applicants to send either ACT or SAT scores as part of their applications. Get testing dates, a FREE test prep guide and more on their website.
- College Board – www.collegeboard.org
Offerings include college search tools, personalized recommendations, scholarships and free SAT and AP exam prep for students 13 and older.
The College Board also administers the PSAT and SAT (required by many colleges). It also administers Advanced Placement (AP exams) that measure how well students have mastered the content and skills of specific college-level AP courses.
Finding the Right College
- College Navigator – nces.ed.gov/CollegeNavigator
This powerful college search tool is from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) site. It helps students find the right college fit with unbiased, data-driven information.
The Common Application
- Common App – www.commonapp.org
This is an undergraduate college admission application that simplifies the application process for many colleges. Students use it to apply to multiple member colleges and universities at once. Their website offers college exploration information, recommendation letter guides, essay prompts and more.
Free Test Prep
- Khan Academy – www.khanacademy.org
Khan Academy is my favorite free educational resource. It offers instruction and practice exercises for many AP courses along with FREE SAT test prep.
Leverage Your Local Library
- Public Libraries
Public libraries are often overlooked when it comes to college planning. They shouldn’t be. Many local libraries provide valuable college guidance resources, including books, video tutorials, and workshops.
Check out your local library’s offerings. For example, the Queens Public Library’s College Readiness program is a great resource.
College Planning Tools and Advice:
- U.S. News & World Report – www.usnews.com
In addition to their recognized rankings of the best colleges, this site has planning advice and other helpful tools.
For instance, students can use their “32 Questions to Ask on a College Visit” article as a reference when visiting colleges and meeting with college representatives.
I hope that these resources navigate the college application process.