Helpful websites make the college process almost fun
Blazers interested in learning about colleges online can use the following websites to help their college search run smoothly.
After students have signed up for a free account (it only takes 5 minutes), they can view their SAT scores before receiving them in the mail, run college searches, add schools to their personal list and learn about scholarship programs and financial aid. Some schools let students apply online at Collegeboard.com and many have reduced fees for those who apply online.
In the site's "Advanced College Search," students can choose characteristics they're looking for in a school. Students fill out their preferences regarding demographics, tuition and academics; the site then searches through over 3,500 schools to find those that match the criteria specified.
The website also has information about SAT preparation and a daily SAT question. Collegeboard.com has many features to help make the most of a campus visit, learn about how to have the best college interview and tips on how to choose an academic major.
Collegeboard.com is easy to navigate, with a toolbar at the top of the page for each major section. Also, there is a handy calendar on the left side of the homepage that lists dates of SATs and SAT registration deadlines. When a member signs in, the calendar fills up with personalized deadlines based on the information in the student's account. If already signed up for an SAT, a countdown until the big day will instantly show up on "your organizer."
Each year the Princeton Review publishes a book with information about the top colleges in the nation; this year, the 2004 edition was called The Best 351 Colleges. Much like Collegeboard.com, the Princeton Review provides students with free information about college.
Princeton Review has an advanced college search called the "Counselor-O-Matic." In addition to helping students find a school that matches their needs, it also judges whether the school is a safety, good match or reach school in regard to one's academic record and SAT score. Also, the electronic counselor advises whether the school is a weak, okay or good fit according to the characteristics listed by the student.
The site has a more extensive college search, as well as selectivity ratings (100 being the most difficult to get into) and financial aid ratings according to the amount of money a school provides for each student. Students can look under the admission's category and see the average GPA and SAT scores for the current freshman class. Some schools list what factors are "very important" for selection, such as secondary school record, standardized testing and state residency.
On Princeton Review, high schoolers can learn about the history of a school as well as perspectives of current college students. The link to "Students Say..." has direct quotes of college students and graduates that provide insight to the college and the admission process.
Though the SAT is more widespread than the American College Test (ACT), the ACT is used by many western colleges and has started to be accepted by some schools in the east as well. This site helps students learn about the ACT, take practice tests, register for the ACT and see scores after the testing is done.
Though the ACT website is not as developed as College Board or Princeton Review, the official site is the best place to learn about the college entrance exam. Preparation tips for the ACT are available from the home page, along with a list comparing the SAT and the ACT.
The college search program on the ACT site is much like that of the College Board, but not as in-depth. The search lets students enter characteristics of a college or type in the name of the school directly and browse the results. The search bank includes many colleges, not just those that accept the ACT.
U.S. News and World Report publishes many books such as "America's Best Colleges 2004," which are posted as lists online. These include many indexes of the best colleges of 2004, such as the best liberal art colleges in the nation, the best values and the best schools in each region of the U.S.
As well as providing many ranking lists, this site has an article section where students can learn about the application process, how to write a good essay and how to choose the perfect school.
The site's school directory has statistics for over 1,400 schools. The college search engine is very general and only 15 questions are asked to compile the search results. This site may not be as helpful as College Board or Princeton Review, mostly because membership for the "premium online edition," where the best features are located, costs $12.95 and lasts until Aug. 1.
The college's website
Though the above resources are very helpful for making the college process more bearable, the institution's own website is the best place to learn about the application, tuition and statistics of the school once the possible college list is narrowed down.
Many colleges offer virtual tours on their sites to provide viewers with a feel for the school, which can help create an overall impression of the campus location and surroundings.
Some schools have a frequently-asked-questions section or a place to e-mail students personal questions. This immediate connection with the school and personalized answers can make many students feel comfortable and accepted by the environment.
When using the college's website, only view the official website, not a personal homepage. Some websites are poorly run and not updated frequently, while others are very good resources and extremely helpful in the college search.
Shannon Egan. Shannon Egan is excited to be a second semester senior. Her hobbies include napping, cleaning her room, making friendship bracelets and listening to the Spice Girls. Shannon's favorite television shows are Alias, The O.C., American Dreams and Desperate Housewives. She enjoys ponies, puppies and everything … More »
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