College
Consulting
In this section you will find a number of useful links to websites that can help you navigate through the admissions process.
Over 750 private and public colleges and universities accept the Common Application and almost every student will apply this way. Students can open an account at any time in order to see what the application is like and rollover the account when it is time to apply. Member colleges usually will update any information, including college-specific questions and application deadlines, each August.
www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org
This application became live in July 2016 and is used by approximately 115 colleges and universities. Almost all Coalition schools will also accept other types of applications. Coalition public schools must offer low-cost in-state tuition and private schools must meet full demonstrated need. All Coalition schools must have at least a 70% six-year graduation rate. Freshmen, starting with the Class of 2020,
will be able to use the on-line “locker” system to store activities, essays and other information that may become pertinent when they
apply to college.
The Universal Application is yet another online application accepted by approximately 45 colleges and universities although used exclusively by none. In some cases, students may find the Universal Application easier to use than the Common App.
Although primarily a test information and registration site, the ACT does offer tips on test-taking and preparing applications.
The College Board site (also accessed through www.collegeboard.com) provides much more than test information and registration.
There is a search engine, AP credit and placement policies, and a wealth of factual information about thousands of schools. Check out
their Big Future portal.
An increasing number of colleges and universities are adopting test-optional or test-flexible admission policies. The National Center for
Fair and Open Testing is a nonprofit advocacy organization that lists more than 1000 four-year colleges and universities that do not use
the SAT or ACT in admissions for a significant number of their applicants.
www.khanacademy.org
Khan Academy is a free, non-profit organization that offers online tutoring in most subject areas. Through Khan Academy students can also prepare for standardized exams such as the SAT, MCAT, NCLEX-RN, and GMAT.
www.academy.act.org
ACT Academy offers free online test preparation for the ACT.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is submitted electronically. All students interested in financial aid for college will need to complete this form, and some scholarship programs require it as well. Starting with the Class of 2017, families may submit a FAFSA as early as October of senior year and the financial aid award will be based on the Prior Prior Year (PPY) of income. For example, for the Class of 2017 financial aid was be based on a family’s income in 2015.
www.studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/estimate
Also known as the FAFSA4caster, this free, confidential, online government service can help families estimate their eligibility for financial aid by learning what their estimated family contribution (EFC) will be. Since the cost of college attendance may influence a student’s college choices and requesting financial aid may impact an admission decision, families are encouraged to use the FAFSA4caster before submitting a FAFSA. All college websites are required to have a Net Price Calculator that also estimates the actual cost of college attendance at that particular school.
Students who wish to play sports in college or hope to be recruited must register with the NCAA and have their high schools supply supporting documentation.
www.nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator
College Navigator is a free search engine provided by the U.S. Department of Education that supplies much useful information.
College Reality Check is provided by the Chronicle of Higher Education and gives information enabling students to compare schools through such measures as average price, debt payment, graduation rates and future earnings.
This interactive site allows users to ask about graduation rates and other data at four-year colleges and universities. It also provides information about similar colleges and the means to make comparisons.
College Portraits gives factual information about public colleges and universities.
College Prowler provides reviews by current students who grade various aspects of their schools.
www.unigo.com
Unigo is another source of information provided by college students, so it is subjective.
Viewers can create an account, but it is not necessary for a large part of the site.
Future Step
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