Wherever you are in the college-planning timeline--whether you're just starting your research, narrowing your school selection, applying for financial aid or sending in your application--you can find information online to ease the process. "Now you can almost go through the entire college planning process from start to finish using the Internet," says Kelly Tanabe, co-founder of SuperCollege.com and author of several related books, including "Get Into Any College." "Practically the only thing you can't do is take the SAT."
Starting Your Research
Standardized tests are one of the first things to look into on the path to college. These comprise a large percent of what colleges use to assess prospective students. (If you know what college you're interested in, it's best to visit their admissions page to see which test is preferred). For the PSAT, SAT I and SAT IIs, check out the College Board, the nonprofit college prep association to which nearly 4,000 schools and organizations belong. And while you can't (yet) take the test online, you can register and get tips and advice, including a question of the day.
Some colleges (and test-takers) prefer the ACT Assessment test, which measures English, math and science skills versus aptitude.
But test scores alone do not a collegian make: You've got to make yourself an appealing candidate, and this U.S. News guide can help you plan your classes and extracurricular activities.
Of course you'll also want to take a look at the renowned U.S. News college rankings to find out valuable information, like percentage of classes taught by teaching assistants and percent of students in sororities. You can even compare up to four schools.
But if you feel overwhelmed by the possibilities, don't despair. "There are many sites that ask questions and offer possible college selections based on student response," says Lynn Boehne, Director of Admission Services at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota. Examples include Princeton Review's School Match, SuperCollege's Matchmaker or the U.S. News database. And through Peterson's Colleges Want You program, you can submit your profile to find out what colleges are interested in you.
Narrowing Down the Options
"Once you reach the point where you've narrowed your choices and want in-depth information, then the individual college Web sites are useful," Boehne says. Look at a fairly complete list on Yahoo!
Traveling to all the campuses on your list can get pretty expensive. Campus Tours is a database site, with links for virtual tours, Web cams, interactive maps and videos.
But once you've locked in a few choices, you'll most likely want to see the real thing, off screen and in person. "Online tours are a poor substitute, but better than nothing," Boehne says. "We hope they whet the appetite." When you do get there, bring this list of questions, which will help you make your decision.
If you really can't go, Tanabe says there are other options beyond the virtual tour. "If you're going to visit a college virtually, you need to make the effort to find people who can answer your questions. Some colleges offer online chats so you can ask questions of admissions officers and students. You can get a sense of campus life by visiting Web sites of student organizations and even individual students--e-mail them. You can make an informed decision without leaving the comfort of your home."
Apply!
Boehne's school is one of an increasing number of institutions that accept online applications. Find out if your school does. Here's a hint: Do not send a hard copy as well as an online application, as it will only overwhelm the already stressed admissions counselors.
You might also consider the Collegeboard.com application or the Common Application, each a single form that is accepted by hundreds of universities, and can save you time. Get some tips on your essay and application from the author of Peterson's "Handbook for College Admission: A Family Guide" and from the Essay Wizard.
Financial Aid
One of the biggest question marks about college is, "How will I ever pay for this?" As the cost of college goes up, financial aid is more vital than ever. The most important financial aid document is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is used to assess need for federal student financial aid, which includes grants, loans and work-study. Plus, the state will often use it to assess need for non-federal aid. Sites like FinAid can help you understand the forms, calculate need and maximize your eligibility.
You'll also want to look into scholarships and what your school's policy on outside funding is. To find scholarships, search SuperCollege's scholarship database, FastWeb!, the College Board's Scholarship Search and Scholarship Resource Network Express.
The Internet has made college planning a lot easier, but the next months are still filled with big decisions and a lot of hard work. But remember, it will pay off when you end up at the college of your dreams. Good luck!
--- M. Magnarelli
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