College Planning Resources
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The College Blue Book (eBook)
Guide to thousands of 2- and 4-year schools in the U.S. and Canada. Volumes 1-3, 5, and 6 cover the expected listings and detailed descriptions, degree programs offered, scholarships, and more specific collegate information. Volume 4 (Occupational Education) covers Trade Schools, Certificate Programs, and other alternatives to traditional college. -
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Fiske Guide to Colleges by Edward B. FiskeA highly recommended leading guide to over 320 four year schools in the US, Canada, Great Britain, and Ireland, based on information provided by real students.
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- Big Future- The College Board's Big Future allows you to research school by name, location or will give you matches based on a brief quiz.
- Campus Tours- View thousands of virtual campus tours and maps.
- Christian College Guide- Browse Christian Colleges by affiliation, size, location, athletics and major.
- College Confidential- Search for colleges based on every criteria imaginable.
- Colleges That Change Lives- CTCL is a non-profit organization with the goal of each student finding a college that develops a lifelong love of learning and provides the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life beyond college.
- Green Colleges- The Top 50 Green Colleges, plus reported sustainability information from over 300 more schools.
- Hillel College Guide- A look at the top 60 schools chosen by Jewish students.
- International Study Abroad Program- Research study abroad programs.
- Intelligent - Using publicly available data, Intelligent's team ranks each college and program by flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation for your dream major. Results that say "Visit Website" are sponsored.
- NJStars- The New Jersey Stars program fully covers tutition for each NJ high school's top fifteen percent of students at their home community college.
- Online College Search- Search for schools offering online degrees by degree offered, state of origin, or by subject area.
- Unigo- Find colleges that meet the atmosphere and culture you are looking for by searching student reviews and browsing their unique and funny ranking lists.
- USA Study Abroad- Find out information about attending universities in other countries.
- US News and World Reports College Rankings- Get exclusive rankings of 1,600 schools. They also have tools to search for your perfect fit and details on scholarships, loans, and grants.
- Alternatives to a 4-Year College: What To Know - U.S. News guides students through alternative routes, so you can decide if a four-year college is really what's right for you.
- Do SAT and ACT Test Scores Still Matter to Top Colleges?- In a test-optional world, New York Magazine breaks down what standardized tests scores mean to top colleges across the USA.
- How to Apply for College: The College Application Process- A step-by-step guide showing you how to build a list of colleges and how to perfect your application.
- Kaplan Survey: College Admissions Officers Think It's OK to Visit Applicants' Social Media, But Most Don't- Worried colleges will be checking your socials? View the results of this study from college admission officers across the state and use your best judgement.
- Webinars:
- The Princeton Review's Free College Admissions Webinars - Each month, The Princeton Review offers free webinars focusing on a different college admissions topic. Check back often to see if one of your blind spots is an upcoming focus.
- Collegewise Seminars and Free Resource Guides - Collegewise offers webinars and resource guides focusing on everything from general road maps and financial aid to specific guides to maximize your chances of success.
- Collegeadvisor.com Webinars - Collegeadvisor.com, powered by USNews.com, has over 300 webinars archived on their site focusing on highly specific topics, including comparing Ivy Leagues, writing a personal statement, and college panels from students who currently attendly highly sought after schools.
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College Admissions 101: Expert Advice for the New Challenges in Admissions, Testing, Financial Aid, and More by The Princeton ReviewA Q&A style book that answers the top questions from students who are beginning their college application journey.
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50 Successful Ivy League Application Essays by Gen and Kelly TanabeContains 50 admission essays from current Ivy League students as well as a list of common mistakes in order to help you create the perfect essay for your dream school.
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The Mindful College Applicant by Belinda H.Y. ChiuA reassuring guide to help practice mindfulness and reduce stress on both the student and their parents during the college admissions process.
Learning Express Library
This database offers practice tests and preparation tools on a variety of tests such as the SAT, ACT, AP, CLEP and more.
Take full length practice tests for standardized tests such as the SAT, ACT, and AP Exams, research undergraduate and graduate school programs, and explore different career options.
The landing page from the official ACT website, including links to a free digital and free physical version of the test.
Full Length SAT Practice Tests
The official Collegeboard practice SATs, including links to download Bluebook — the app that will be needed to take the Digital SAT.
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The Official Digital SAT Study Guide by CollegeboardThe Official Digital SAT Study Guide provides a comprehensive resource for understanding updates to the SAT in the digital format. It includes four official practice tests — all created by the test maker. This is the only place to find practice tests in print accompanied by over 300 pages of additional instruction, guidance, and test information
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The Official ACT Prep Guide by ACT, Inc.The Official ACT Prep Guide is the only book made by the creators of the test. The “Big Red Book” walks you through the entire testing experience and provides effective test-taking strategies, including six full length practice tests.
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Digital SAT Prep Plus by Kaplan PublishingTake two full-length practice tests mimicing the adaptive nature of the new digital SAT
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Crash Course for the ACT by The Princeton ReviewKey strategies and practice drills for those who are looking to improve their skills at the last minute.Hot Words for the SAT: 365+ most seen words on the SAT by Linda CarnevaleA quick guide of the most frequently seen vocabulary words on the SAT, including practice problems.
Khan Academy - Apple Store / Google Play
Khan Academy is the only app that has an official partnership with the SAT. Prepare for your test with daily practice problems, subject review, and full length tests.
PerfectPrep - ACT & SAT Prep - Apple Store
PerfectPrep is one of the few apps that let you practice for the SAT and ACT within the same app. Set your test date and the app will develop a study plan with you, focusing in on your weak areas before test day.
SAT: Practice, Prep, and Flashcards - Apple Store / Google Play
SAT: Practice, Prep, and Flashcards features comprehensive study content to help you hone your vocabulary, sharpen your math skills, and practice your writing.
Magoosh ACT Flashcards- Apple Store / Google Play
ACT Flashcards designed by experts on the test and updated for the latest content on the ACT. They cover the essential English, math, and science knowledge students need to know and are a confidence-boosting supplement to practice questions.
- FAFSA- Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid in order to be eligible for student aid.
- HESAA- The Higher Education Student Assistant Authority provides grant and scholarship resources as well as low cost loans to New Jersey students and their families.
- CSS Profile - Collegeboard's online application is also sent to colleges, and can help you get non-federal aid from the college you will be heading to in the fall. A "CommonApp" for financial aid only required by certain colleges.
- College Savings Calculator- Use this handy calculator to determine how much you could or should be saving to meet college expenses, and how to maximize your savings efforts.
- FedMoney- FedMoney.org is the most comprehensive free full-text online resource on all U.S. government grants and student financial aid programs.
- Bold.org- A scholarship hub designed to match each applicatnt with the scholarships they are most likely to get accepted for. Includes many no-essay options.
- College Scholarships- Browse scholarships using several criteria including sports, minority, subject or by state. No registration required.
- Scholarship America / Scholarship America Hub - ScholarshipAmerica.org is a highly rated non-profit that helps outside organizations (like Amazon, Burger King, or Penguin Random House) award their scholarships to students.
The Princeton Review's Paying For College- A step by step guide to show how to maximize financial aid eligibility, complete the FAFSA and CSS profiles, appeal aid offers, and avoid common mistakes in paying for college.
The Student Athlete's Guide to Getting Recruited by Stewart Brown- This book addresses how to get recruited by top colleges and universities and also how to excel academically in both high school and college to ensure a successful career as a student-athlete. Offering insider information, this guidebook for getting scholarship money also provides tips for understanding the complicated NCAA recruiting rules, information on what colleges really want from athletes in their programs, and the transition from high school to college athletics.
How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay by Ken Tanabe - Winners of $100,000 in scholarships share 30 essays that won more than $3 million in scholarships and insights on how to write a winning scholarship essay, understand what scholarship judges want, and master the interview.
The Ultimate Scholarship Book by Kelly Tanabe- Information on thousands of scholarships, grants, and prizes indexed by career goal, major, academics, public service, talent, athletics, religion, ethnicity, and more. Includes information on how to complete the application process, including eligibility requirements, how to obtain an application, how to get more information about each award, sponsor website listings, award amounts, and key deadlines.
Get Free Cash For College by Ken Tanabe - A proven strategy guide revealing all the secrets to create winning applications with a directory of 175 scholarships anyone can win and a library of winning scholarship applications.