College+Search+and+Prep

**Some web sites cover more than one area, so be sure to look through the whole page.** **(Be sure to check out** CURRENT Scholarships **at the WHHHS Scholarship wiki)** **(For help with AP test prep, go to the AP and CC + Classes page.)** = First Stop: =  __[|Career & College Counseling]__ School counseling professionals at William Henry High School provide a comprehensive program of counseling services for students in grades 9 through 12. One way we provide our services is through a program called Naviance Family Connection. Naviance allows students to create a personalized plan that helps them make the right decisions throughout their academic journey.
 * This site is for students who are interested in attending college.** **The first section is all about college/testing pr//ep//.** **The second section is about finding the right college** **and the third section is all about how to finance it.**
 * Log in to [|Naviance]
 * Username: school e-mail is firstname.lastname@mywildcats.org (ex. william.harrison@mywildcats.org)
 * Password: First initial (uppercase), last initial (lowercase), ID number (ex. Wh123456)

COLLEGE/TESTING PREP: **//Infohio Resources//**
 * Learn more about free online ACT, SAT, and AP practice tests available through OhioMeansJobs, K-12: Ready for College, Ready for Work, Ready for Success! (If you are not in a school building, you may be prompted to enter your district's username and password when accessing INFOhio. If you do not know it, ask your school librarian or complete the fields on the Find My Password page to get it instantly.)
 * ACT PREP: **
 * **ACT’S WEBSITE**: Anything you need to know about the hows and whens regarding the ACT test.
 * OpenEd has lots of ACT practice  for you! Watch videos and play games, or take mini practice tests and master the ACT!

ACT Math Strategies and Tactics: ACT Test Prep Tips

 * **Solve the problem first**, then locate your answer, rather than plugging each option into the problem.
 * **Use all of the time provided**. You don’t get extra points for finishing early.
 * **Go back and check your work**. If nothing else, check any problems you weren’t particularly sure of.
 * **Use scratch paper** — draw pictures, simplify algebraic expressions. You don’t get extra credit for doing math in your head.
 * **DON’T spend more than one minute on any problem** on your first pass through the exam. The exam is designed to have plenty of time, but don’t waste any too early on. You are better off missing one hard problem than not getting to four easy problems at the end of the test.
 * **DON’T do any complicated computations that need a calculator**. A calculator isn't required, so if your solution absolutely depends on one, you are probably headed down a time-consuming and incorrect path.
 * **DON’T leave any questions unanswered**. Even if you have no idea what the question means, you should give it your best shot, and then just bubble something in. **You have a small chance of guessing correctly, and incorrect guesses aren’t penalized**.


 * SAT PREP **:
 * ** COLLEGE BOARD ONLINE ** : This site includes college searches, scholarship searches and financial aid calculations. Also, SAT schedules and online test ** registration is available. Actual PRACTICE tests for the SAT are included here **
 * [|SAT] - Practice, register, see and send scores.
 * [|PSAT/NMSQT] Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholar Qualifying Test information
 * [|Official SAT Question of the Day:] Created the College Board, this app gives you a new official SAT question every day. It also gives you a statistical analysis of your performance.
 * [|Khan Academy] - SAT prep
 * SAT Word of the Day sites include:
 * ** SuperKids **

= Other helpful sites to prepare for college: = __[|BigFuture]__ - Find your big future. The free step-by-step guide to college planning from the College Board, aimed at engaging students in the college-planning and -search process. [|National Association for College Admission Counseling] Student and parent resources available to help with preparing for college
 * [|Mapping Your Future]** is your free resource for career, college, financial aid, and money management information.
 * NoMajorDrama ** is a program that is free for schools--it is a hassle-free program to help a student decide what their major should be. ** (Mr. Zuleger ** is a key player in this site)
 * Transitioning to College: Helping You Succeed**—this site has five videos which dramatize college transition experiences. It also has links to useful resources as well as tips for student success.

FINDING COLLEGES:
 * **CAMPUS EXPLORER**- This is like a Matchmaker for college applicants. It is a new search engine that aims to help students determine which college is the best match for them. Students enter information such as their SAT or ACT scores and grade-point average, and the site determines which schools they are eligible to attend. The site then matches students with specific schools on this list, based on their preferences they indicate--such as distance from home, academic interests, and their financial situation. It is for both two and four year institutions.
 * **CAMPUS TOURS** Great if you already have a feel for where you want to go. It will connect you to that school’s link and tell you where you can find information about college admissions or when it’s holding tours.
 * **College Confidential**- provides students with information and tools for choosing a college, applying to college, and paying for college.
 * **College Grazing**- has a great selection of **interest surveys** designed to help students think about why they want to go to college, the type of college that matches their interests, and the types of college programs for which they might best be suited. It helps guide students and parents through the whole selection process, application process, and the financial aspects.
 * [|College InSight], allows you to compare and analyze data from colleges in the areas of affordability, diversity, and student success.
 * **COLLEGE QUEST**: This site features a college search program as well as information on financial aid and admissions tests.
 * **COLLEGE VIEW**: With great graphics, this site is a search service with profiles of more than 3,500 colleges, virtual campus tours, online applications, career planning tools and more. Probably the best site available. Ask an Expert helps in answering questions about testing, forms and applying for financial aid.
 * **COUNSELOR’S GUIDE TO OHIO INDEPENDENT COLLEGES**: Links to the home pages of 47 private colleges and universities in Ohio. Financial aid programs for Ohio colleges, Federal Financial Aid programs, links to financial aid resources such as FAFSA and more. Also, an interactive college matching assistance program.
 * **ECAMPUS TOURS**- Search for schools state by state or name. Stroll through the campus, even the book store for mascot paraphernalia.
 * **Educaedu**- is essentially a **search engine for degree programs**. Select the country and then the **geographic region** in which you would like to study, then select the type of program you want. It will generate a list of schools that provide what you desire.
 * **FASTWEB**- S**tudents have one site to find their perfect scholarship AND college** Supported by the largest scholarship database on the web, students can now search for colleges by location, major, tuition costs and selectivity.
 * **NCAA**: Information from the National Collegiate Athletic Association for those who hope to play college sports.
 * U.S. Department of Education
 * **[|College Navigator]** —The U.S. Department of Education's college search website.

FINANCIAL AID: [|FTC Project Scholarship Scam] SCAM WARNING SIGNS! The FTC cautions students to look for tell tale lines:
 * "The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back."
 * "You can't get this information anywhere else."
 * "I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship."
 * "We'll do all the work."
 * "The scholarship will cost some money."
 * "You've been selected by a 'national foundation' to receive a scholarship" or "You're a finalist" in a contest you never entered.
 * Never give out Social Security, credit card or bank account numbers to unsolicited emails or calls.**


 * **[|AMERICORPS]** As an AmeriCorps member, you will volunteer for 10-12 months. Full-time members who complete their service earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to pay for college, graduate school, or to pay back qualified student loans; members who serve part-time receive a partial Award. Some AmeriCorps members may also receive a modest living allowance during their term of service.
 * COLLEGE ANSWER.COM**– by Sallie Mae, is a Forbes winner for outstanding college resources —college search and funding**
 * COLLEGE SAVINGS PLANS NETWORK
 * [|FEDERAL STUDENT AID INFORMATION CENTER] BEST starting point **for information on federal student financial aid.**
 * FAFSA(Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
 * FASTWEB **One of the fastest and largest scholarship search engines on the net. It allows users to create their own personal files and uses this to help direct them to the best scholarships for their needs. And, it is FREE!** (Recommended by the Guidance Office)
 * ** [|FIN AID] [|:] The** No. 1 **source for** financial aid info**. It has scholarship databases, loan payment schedules, grants, special contests and [|forecasting calculators] to help you your needs.**
 * Www.findtuition.com
 * **[|NASFAA]** National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators - Provides a nice overview and explanation of the financial aid process.
 * Petersons.com
 * Scholarships.com
 * TUITION FUNDING SOURCES**: (Sponsored by Pepsi-Cola)** Huge scholarship database!