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College Planning Resources and Websites
This list of college planning websites provides information on choosing a college, college applications, financial aid and scholarships, college admissions, test prep, and college counseling.
College Applications
Common Application – The Common Application (common app) allows students to complete one admission application that may be submitted to any of 456 participating colleges and universities. The application can be completed online or in print.
California State University system – provides application and admission information regarding the California State University system.
University of California system – provides application and admission information regarding the University of California system.
California Community College system – provides application and information regarding the California Community College system
College Visits and Tours
Collegeweeklive – streams real-time college fairs and interviews with college reps
College Confidential – Insights and reviews on colleges from the voice of college students
eCampusTours – offers virtual tours of over 1,300 college campuses.
Preparing for and Finding a College
College Xpress – Tailor your college search by categories such as “colleges with excellent nursing programs.”
Big Future College Board – offers information on planning for college, comparing schools, and registering and preparing for the SAT and AP tests.
I’m First – college search tool featuring success stories, colleges, and tips geared towards first-generation students.
The first in the Family - Advice about college from the first-generation student.
Best College Guide - College planning for Parents and students, Also provides information in Spanish as well
Supportive parents college resource - Everything you will need to know about getting your student in college and throught College
College Navigator – A comprehensive database of colleges provided by the U.S. Department of Education, which allows you to do side-by-side comparisons of schools. Your search criteria can include specific states, distance from a specified zip code, type of degree offered, public or private institution, and major(s).
SAT and ACT Test Prep and Registration
ACT – offers information on registering and taking the ACT test.
Khan Academy – offers FREE full-length SAT practice exams
SAT College Board – offers information on planning for college, comparing schools, and registering and preparing for the SAT and AP tests.
Financial Aid/ Dream Act Application and Scholarships
FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA is the form you must complete in order to see if you are eligible for any kind of federal financial aid, such as grants, student loans, and work-study. Even if you don’t think you are eligible for financial aid, you should still fill it out because many colleges also use it to award non-federal aid.
Dream Act Application -The California Dream Act allows undocumented and nonresident documented students who meet certain provisions to apply for and receive private scholarships funded through public universities, state-administered financial aid, University grants, community college fee waivers, and Cal Grants.
FastWeb – Free online scholarship search, Please also see the Scholarship tab on the College Center page
College Solutions – Lynn O'Shaughnessy writes for CBS Money Watch and is a leading expert on financial aid and affording college.
Career Exploration
California Career Café – Explore career pathways, personal strengths, and interests with this online tool
O*Net - Detailed descriptions of the world of work for use by job seekers, workforce development and HR professionals, students, researchers, and more!
California Reality Check - Forming a budget is one of the most important parts of financial success. As you first enter the workforce, or even if you switch jobs, knowing how much money you will have available to spend on different aspects of your life will help you avoid debt and possibly even save some money for a rainy day.
Personal Statements
College Essay Guy – resources and tutorials to help students write winning personal statements from a screenwriting perspective.
Essay Hell – resources and tutorials to help students write strong personal statements drawing on “New Journalism” story-telling techniques.
John Hopkins Essays that Worked – review exemplary personal statements submitted by applicants
High School Athletes
NCAA Eligibility Center – Registering is a requirement for any student who plans to play NCAA Division I or II sports.