College Planning Resources

College Planning Tools & Resources

• SCOIR – platform used by all students for exploration, college search, and college documents
• BigFuture by the College Board – online tool for comparison of colleges and universities, as well as exploration of majors and careers
• College Planning for 9th and 10th Graders (College Board)
• How to Make the Most of your Freshman Year (ACT Guide Book)
• How to Prepare for the Future During Your Sophomore Year (ACT Guide Book)
• College “Wishlist” Exercise – adapted from When to do What: A Step-by-Step Guide to the College Process (2017)

Standardized Testing

• College Board
• ACT, Inc.
• FairTest.org
• Comparison of Standardized Tests (PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests)

Financial Aid & Scholarships

• Financial Aid Checklist (College Board)
• Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program (Eligibility Requirements)
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• CSS Profile
• Raise.Me
• MyIntuition

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program

Financial Aid & Scholarship Opportunities

Virtual College Tour Resources

• You|Visit
• The Princeton Review Virtual Campus Tours
• eCampus Tours

College Admissions Blogs

• Tulane University Admission Blog — Jeff Schiffman, Director of Admission
• Georgia Tech Admission Blog — Rick Clark, Director of Undergraduate Admission
• University of Virginia Blog — Jeannine Lalonde, Associate Dean of Admissions
• University of Southern California — various Directors and Assistant Directors of Admission
  • Check out these relevant recent posts from USC!
    • Tips to Help Navigate Virtual College Fairs (10/16/2020)
    • Too Early to Apply? A Freshman and Sophomore High School Guide to Preparing Your College Application (10/15/2020) — This post provides practical, honest, and realistic advice about steps to take now that will pay off in the future (and it isn’t as intimidating as you may think!)
• The Common Application Blog
• MyCoalition Counselor Blog (by the Coalition Application); check out these great blog posts for early high school students:

• • Making the Most of High School
  • Exploring Colleges
  • What Experiences Should I Look for in High School? (by Harvard Admissions)
  • What Do Colleges Really Look for? (by Harvard Admissions)
  • Strategies for Academic Success (by St. Mary’s University Admissions)
  • How to Make the Most out of High School Outside the Classroom (by University at Buffalo Admissions)
  • How to Make the Most out of High School Inside the Classroom (by University at Buffalo Admissions)
  • The College Process: It’s All About the Journey, not the Destination. (by University of Vermont Admissions)
  • How to Explore Colleges When You Can’t Visit

Collegiate Athletics — NCAA & NAIA

• NCAA Eligibility Requirements: https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2013/11/25/academic-standards-for-initial-eligibility.aspx
• Guide for the College Bound Student Athlete: http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/Student_Resources/CBSA.pdf