College Exploration
Welcome to your future!!!
On these pages are links to a variety of college exploration tools, including useful tips and reviews. Visit this site often and develop your own dreams for the future!
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The college process can be overwhelming to students, and to parents. To simplify the process, below is an overview of the steps to follow, with links to online resources that can help you with each step.
Step 1) Examine your strengths and interests, and choose a career path that is right for you. There is a link at the bottom of this page specifically for career exploration.
Step 2) Complete a college search. Where can you start? Students and parents can complete a college search online using a variety of resources. You can try a google search, or you can find a step by step guide at Big Future (scroll down and click "Build your College List".
Step 3) Compare the colleges in your search. What should you look for? For starters, size, location, cost, campus environment and majors are all key. Click on the worksheet icon below to print a handy tool for comparing colleges. Decide which factors are most important to you.
Step 4) Narrow your list and visit if you can. If you cannot arrange to visit the colleges you are considering, at the very least check out their websites. Be a snoop! Check out as much as you can, especially the department for the major you are considering.
Step 5) Apply! Many if not most colleges accept an on-line application. Many colleges are now accepting the applications through the Common App. The Common App is a great resource to use when applying to a multitude of colleges because you can send one application out to multiple colleges (and not have to fill in the same information over and over again). Be sure to notify the guidance office when you are ready to apply. We encourage you to seek our assistance throughout the process, but especially for the application. We can help ensure that your application is the best it can be, and your transcripts must come from our office.
Forms:
The following forms will help you along the way in your college search. Click on the titles to bring up the printable forms.
Click on 'EducationPlanner' exploration web site promoted by the Pennsylvania
Higher Education Assistance Agency. This website can help you explore careers that are of interest to you.
If you took the SAT, the PSAT, or PSAT 10, go to collegeboard.org (click on Score Reports above) to view your scores, access the questions and answer explanations, get a personalized SAT study plan, find colleges, explore majors and careers and more.
Click on the SAT to access Collegeboard. Register for the SAT's, take practice exams, search for colleges, majors and scholarships.
Click on the ACT icon to access the ACT website, register for the ACT's, take practice tests etc.
Click on the link below to explore the differences between the SAT and the ACT. For the most part, the SAT is most commonly used for colleges and scholarships in our area, but both are considered college entrance exams.