5 Free College Admission Resources Every High Schooler Needs

 

By Matt Musico - CollegeData

One college counselor breaks down five of CollegeData’s free tools and resources intended to help students prepare, apply, and pay for college.

The college admissions world is full of sophisticated tools and resources intended to give students a better idea of how to build a college list, assess their chances of getting in, how to get as much scholarship money as possible, and much more. Oftentimes, these tools and resources – especially those that college counseling companies have created and/or use – are only available for students and families who are willing to pay for them.

And, let’s be honest – getting a good private college counselor or engaging a college counseling service isn’t exactly cheap. 

That’s why I want to recommend five of CollegeData’s incredibly useful and comprehensive resources that anyone with an Internet connection and a computer or mobile device can use – for free. 

1. SCHOLARSHIP FINDER

College can be an amazing experience, and for many, it’s the best four years ever. With the price of college tuition increasing much faster than that of job wages, though, finding ways to make college more affordable is an absolute must for many students. 

There are tons of private and public scholarships waiting for applicants to consider, but it can be hard to sift through all the Internet noise and find exactly what you’re looking for. This is where CollegeData’s Scholarship Finder comes in. It can make finding scholarships easier and more convenient than having to search multiple sites. 

Using the Scholarship Finder isn’t just a one-size-fits-all kind of formula. You can use it to search to see what scholarships are available and can even apply a few filters (such as, GPA, gender, residency, ethnicity, religion, area (s) of study, and school location) to see what’s available from a more specific standpoint.

And, just in case you’re wondering if using Scholarship Finder is worth it, let’s put it in perspective: you can use the tool to search for over 800,000 awards totaling over $5 billion offered by private organizations, foundations, corporations, and individuals. So, yes, using this free tool to help cut down on college tuition costs would likely be a good use of your time. 

2. COLLEGE CHANCES

As a college counselor, a common question I get from students and families who are either researching colleges or have already developed their college list is: “So, what are my chances of getting in?”

Unfortunately, I don’t have a crystal ball when answering that question, but I do fall back on historical data and helpful resources to make an educated guess. One resource I use is CollegeData’s College Chances. Similar to Scholarship Finder, College Chances allows you to input various information about your academic profile, plus other admissions factors before getting an answer on your admissions chances at any of the 2,000+ colleges reflected on the CollegeData site. 

It’s important to note that College Chances uses its own unique algorithm to show students their chances of getting into a particular college. The odds produced by the tool are never 100% and do not guarantee you will or will not get into a particular school. However, it is a good starting point to get a sense of how selective specific schools are, but you should also try and discuss the results with your parents, guidance counselors, teachers and anyone else guiding you on your college search.

3. THE FACTS ON FIT

Many students want to find a college that will help them on their career path. I run into a number of students who are also hyper-focused on gaining admission to the “best” college possible, which obviously depends on how they define “best” in their own eyes. After all, what one student considers “best” may not apply to another student with different strengths and goals.  

Being a former admissions officer, I found that finding the best college fit for students revolved around three main aspects of the college experience: academics, extracurricular activities, and social life. 

For many students, finding the right academic fit is the first and most important hurdle. Extracurricular fit is also important because students aren’t just going to class at college -- the campus is also their home. So, it’s important to see what opportunities are available to make students feel connected to campus. Last, but most certainly not least, is social fit. Getting to know students through the admissions process always allowed me to get a sense as to whether they would fit in with the general campus environment and “vibe.” 

What are some things you should be considering when it comes to college fit? Well, fortunately, CollegeData has an entire section dedicated to this aspect of the process. From getting a breakdown of what makes colleges different, to understanding how to find the best academic fit, to thinking about life outside of class, there’s plenty of information to help you feel confident about what “fit” actually means and how it applies to you and your situation. 

4. STUDENT STORIES

The college admissions experience can at the same time feel both personal and impersonal. 

In one respect, the process is personal because, well, it’s your future we’re talking about. But then from the impersonal side, there are so many strategies, statistics, and “unknowns” to worry about that it’s easy to get lost in the weeds in what can quickly become an overwhelming process. 

Something you can do to bring you back down to earth and help you feel more connected to the process is reading about stories from other students who were in your position not too long ago. These are real students’ stories about the ups and downs of their college admissions journey and include a summary of their academic profile, a list of the schools to which they applied, the decision outcomes at each school, and at the end, some advice after going through the admissions process and coming out on the other side in one piece (and in college!). 

5. ADMISSIONS TRACKER

As your college list continues to grow, it’s essential to have an idea of how balanced that list actually is. This is where bouncing ideas off your parents, guidance counselors, teachers or anyone else helping you navigate the college process comes in handy. In addition, CollegeData’s free Admissions Tracker is a great way to get an idea of where to set your initial expectations with regard to how likely (or unlikely) an acceptance could be at any particular college. 

The Admissions Tracker allows you to not only view qualifications of thousands of real students, but also get a glimpse of their admissions decisions. The tool also provides the opportunity to compare your own qualifications with thousands of students who were admitted or denied at the colleges you’re interested in, see the types of students applying this year, and view trends over multiple years of data. While college admissions isn’t all numbers and statistics, this is a helpful tool to use when you’re trying to build a college list. 

There are so many variables to consider when it comes to college admissions, and those variables have only increased with COVID-19 dramatically changing the landscape of it all. To sift through any of the myths, misconceptions, and anything else that may confuse or worry you about the college admissions process, it’s crucial to have clear and accurate information to support or disprove what’s running through your mind. CollegeData’s free tools and resources can provide all that and more as to help you prepare, apply and pay for college, and they’re free. It doesn’t get any better than that. 

FREE Resource Tool to complete the Common Application: AXS Companion

Free Resource to help students complete the common application:

Oregon State University has helped develop a free online toolkit to assist students globally in completing college applications. The service launches on Sept. 1. The resource, AXS Companion, was developed in partnership with the Independent Educational Consultants Association and includes videos that walk students step-by-step through the Common Application, which is used by more than 1,000 colleges and universities in 50 states and 20 countries, including Oregon State.

Essay Guides and Essay Examples

Read essay guides from students who have been accepted to their dream schools. 

College Advisor Essay Guides 

 

Questions to Ask on College Visits

 From: College Data

College visits are an important part of researching colleges and they can help you decide whether you should apply to or attend a particular school. Here’s a list of questions to consider asking on your next college visit.

On a college visit you may have the opportunity to interact with a variety of people: student tour guides, admissions and financial aid staff, resident advisors, professors, and current students. Not only can you ask them questions about the college, but, depending on which people you meet, you may also gain insight into student life, clubs and organizations, campus culture, course workloads, and more.

ASK THE SAME QUESTIONS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE

Rick Clark, the director of college admissions at Georgia Tech, encourages students to ask the same questions to different people during a college visit. “You talk to a student, a tour guide, a professor and an alum and you will get different answers to most questions. This is a good thing,” he writes in his blog.

Here are a few of his top questions to ask on college tours:

• What makes this campus or college different than others? Can people on campus describe what makes the college unique? “If you find some uniformity [in their answers], you have likely found the school’s real identity,” writes Clark. “If you find great variance, you may be excited by the possibility of literally doing anything you want there. But if you find an inability to articulate a unique culture, you have a problem.”

• What do you wish you would have known about this college before coming here? Do you hear mostly “pleasant surprises” – like how nice everyone is, or all the great things there are to do on campus? Or do you hear mostly negative things like how expensive it is to live in the area, or how you can’t get into the classes you need?

• What has this college provided you to set you up for success and fulfillment in the future? Are you hearing about the incredible professional and personal network, opportunities to participate in groundbreaking research, or skills and knowledge that you want to gain?

• What is the most exciting thing happening on campus Is the answer something that excites you—or something you couldn’t care less about?

45 MORE QUESTIONS TO ASK ON COLLEGE VISITS

When you visit a college for the first time, you might feel excited or apprehensive, or a combination of both. Having some questions prepared ahead of time can help you stay focused and use your time wisely. The questions below are meant to be used as a starting point. Your list should be based on the college factors that are most important to you.

ACADEMICS and learning environment

• How easy is it to interact with professors and/or teaching assistants?

• Is there a required general education curriculum and what does it involve?

• When do I have to declare my major?

• What is the process for changing majors?

• Is there an honors program and what is the application process?

• Do students find it difficult to balance their studies with their social life?

• How often can (or do) students meet with an academic advisor? Is the student assigned to the same advisor for all four years?

• What is the largest/smallest class size freshmen and sophomores will have?

• What tutoring and other academic support is available?

• If relevant, ask about support services for students with learning differences or disabilities.

• What study abroad options are available?

Tip: If you know what major you’d like to study and have the opportunity to meet with a student or professor in that department, consider asking some of these questions:

• Which professors should I take classes with, or avoid?

• What is a good balance of classes for my first semester/quarter?

• How expensive are books for this major, typically?

• Can I study abroad with this major?

CAMPUS and COmmunity

• What do students do to socialize on campus?

• What's the nearest town like?

• How long does it take to get around campus on foot (i.e., from the dorms to the library, classes, and dining hall)?

• What transportation options are available to get around and off campus?

• Are students allowed to have cars? Is there parking on campus? Do I need a parking pass?

• Where do students spend their time when not in class?

• How many students typically stay on campus over the weekend?

• What’s your favorite spot to hang-out on campus?

Tip: During your visit, take in as much information as you can. It wouldn’t hurt to jot down important observations, so you can compare this visit with others and make pros and cons lists for each school you visit.

Housing and Dorms

• What are the options for on-campus and off-campus housing?

• How are roommates determined? If I don’t like my roommate, will I able be able to change?

• Is housing guaranteed all four years?

• How is the dining hall food? Does it offer a variety of food as well as options for people on special diets?

• Besides the dining hall(s), what other food options are there on campus, and which ones are included in the meal plan?

• When is the dining hall open and accessible to students?

• What is the “best” dorm in terms of facilities, community, and proximity to classes?

Tip: While you’re paying attention to the buildings, make sure you also observe the students and staff around you. Are they friendly? Do you feel welcome?

ACTIVITIES

• What are some fun things to do around town? Movie theaters? Concert venues? Shopping? Outdoor activities?

• What extracurricular activities are offered on campus?

• What are the most popular clubs or activities?

• Are student clubs and activities selective or open to anyone?

• If you have a specific interest, say student government or intramural sports, ask about specific clubs and organizations related to that interest.

Tip: While academics are the fundamental building blocks of your college education, a balanced extracurricular and social life are also important factors in choosing a college.

STUDENT SERVICES, SAFETY and Support

• What does the college do to help freshmen adjust and meet people?

• What student safety precautions are in place?

• What has been the biggest safety issue on campus and how did the college deal with it?

• What student health facilities are available? How can students access them?

• What does the college do to help students find part-time work?

• What career counseling or internship-finding services are available?

• What does the college do to help students find jobs in their field after they graduate?

• What support is available for students applying to graduate school, medical or law school, or other professional programs?

Tip: Try not to ask questions that can be answered on the college’s website or elsewhere. For example, you can find graduation rates and employment outcomes in CollegeData’s college profiles.

Thinking of questions to ask on your college visit is a great way to prepare for your college tour. But you can also ask these questions at any time – when emailing with a college admissions rep, during interviews with alumni, or when connecting with a professor. The more questions you ask, the more information you’ll have to help you find colleges that might be right for you. Good luck!

Getting Ready for the FAFSA

Source: FastWeb

The FAFSA, which stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a financial aid application that is used to determine the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as well as eligibility for need-based financial aid.

Students will first fill the FAFSA out during their senior year of high school as well as renew the FAFSA each subsequent year after while they are enrolled in college and/or graduate school.

The FAFSA will ask for student financial information, family size and the number of family members enrolled in college as well as the student's age, marital status and other demographic characteristics. All of the information given will be used to determine whether the applicant is an independent or dependent student. If a student is dependent, parent information will also be required on the FAFSA.The form is available on October 1, which means that it’s time to gather up everything you need in order to successfully complete the form. Depending on your circumstances (when you filed taxes or what tax form was used), you may or may not need the following information or documents as you fill out the FAFSA.

To access the FAFSA, visit the following url: FAFSA

Your FAFSA Checklist:

Your Social Security card and driver’s license, and/or alien registration card if you are not a US citizen.

Your 2021 federal income tax returns (you don't have to wait - you can use the most recent returns you have from last year), W-2s, and other records of money earned. (The IRS Data Retrieval Tool can help you transfer your federal tax return information right into your FAFSA form.) 

Your parents' income tax returns, W-2 forms and 1040 forms if you are a dependent (and you are unless declared otherwise). If you or your parents have not completed your taxes yet, you can estimate your income and other tax return information, and then correct your application after you have filed your taxes. 

Records and documentation of other nontaxable income received such as welfare benefits, Social Security income, veteran’s benefits, military or clergy allowances (if applicable). 

Any additional applicable financial information, such as taxable work-study, assistantships, fellowships, grants and scholarship aid reported to the IRS, combat pay or special combat pay and cooperative education program earnings.

Records of any additional nontaxable income: Examples include: child support received, veterans’ non-education benefits, money received or paid on your behalf, etc.

Current bank and brokerage account statements, including records of stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other investments (if applicable).

Business or investment farm records (if applicable).

Records relating to any unusual family financial circumstances. This can include anything that changed from last year or anything that separates your family from a "typical" family in terms of unusual marital situations, living situations, separations, etc. Examples include: high non-reimbursed medical and/or dental expenses, unusually high dependent care costs (e.g., for a special needs child or an elderly parent), death, divorce, salary reductions, job loss and private K-12 tuition.

Title IV Institution Codes for each school you are applying to. You can get this code from the school (some have them listed on their web sites) or you can use FinAid's Title IV School Code Database.

When filling out and submitting your FAFSA electronically, you’ll need your FSA ID to sign the form. If you don’t have one, you can create a FSA ID online. If you are applying as a dependent - again, you are a dependent unless declared otherwise - one parent is required to sign as well. To electronically fill out your FAFSA online, your parent should also apply for a FAFSA ID at the same site.

Download the Department of Education's 2022-23 FAFSA information sheet during your preparation process, to doubly ensure you have all of the information you need.

Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. If you've already filed your federal income tax returns, it will pre-fill the answers to some of the more difficult FAFSA questions by transferring the necessary data directly from federal income tax returns.

Additional Financial Aid and FAFSA Advice:

We’d advise you to gather your materials and fill out your forms sooner rather than later because the entire process can take a while. Plus, many states award financial aid on a first-come, first-serve basis (even though the federal FAFSA deadline is June 30), meaning you may get more aid if you file in October versus April. Putting off your financial aid is not something you want to do! Once you complete your FAFSA, save copies of your completed FAFSA form, along with copies of all the information you gathered in order to fill it out. Make sure to keep all documents in a safe place – you never know when you’ll need to reference them. It’s also a way to prove that you’ve submitted the form on time, since no late applications are accepted!  

State Deadlines for FAFSA Completion

Which Divorced Parent Should Complete the FAFSA?

William Paterson Youth Classes

William Paterson Classes Begin Week of October 8th 

 Youth Classes

Classes Include

 

·     SAT Verbal & Math Prep ·     Personal Finance ·     Introduction to Business

·     Skill Builder ELA ·     Advanced ELA ·     Introduction to Academic Writing

6 SENIOR-YEAR FEARS AND HOW TO FIGHT THEM

By CollegeData

It’s normal to feel some anxiety about being a senior in high school – there’s a lot to do and experience! Here are some of the most common senior-year fears and tips for dealing with them.

You made it! The last year of high school is finally here. You’re probably looking forward to a rewarding last year, spending time with your friends, taking a leadership role in your clubs, finishing up your AP classes, and generally enjoying the rest of high school.

Unfortunately, senior year can sometimes be more stressful than you may think or be prepared for. This article will give you some tips on how to manage the stress of senior year and emerge successful on the other end.

FEAR #1: BALANCING SCHOOL-WORK, EXTRACURRICULARS, ETC. WHILE APPLYING TO COLLEGE

Senior year can easily get overbooked with school work, extra-curriculars, family responsibilities, maybe a part-time job – all while applying to college, which includes researching and visiting schools, applying for financial aid, taking standardized tests, writing essays, completing applications and maybe even doing interviews. This may seem daunting when you line up these tasks in a list, but with some planning, these activities can be easier to tackle.

• Use Google or another calendar to make a week-by-week plan and sync it with your phone to stay on track and keep your stress levels down. Make sure you keep track of every aspect of your life, including your work and social commitments, school assignments and extracurricular activities, and college application tasks. Try your best to also schedule in free time for yourself, your friends, and your family. Check this calendar daily and set reminders to help you stay organized.

• If you are applying for a part-time job, look for something where your schedule doesn’t change weekly. Often times, jobs with irregular hours make it harder to stay organized and can make you frustrated, especially if you do better with a set schedule.
• Begin your college research and your application essay as early as you can and create a plan and a deadline for completing your applications. Carve out some time each weekend or on certain weekdays, to research schools, work on essays, and attend online admission events. You may also want to take advantage of any three-day weekends or school holidays (Columbus Day, Veterans Day, and even Thanksgiving break,) to make progress on your applications.

FEAR #2: NOT BEING ABLE TO AFFORD COLLEGE

Googling the price of colleges, especially prestigious private ones, can shock you to your core. The full cost of attendance at some private colleges is more than $80,000 per year. NYU, for example, reported a COA of $83,230 for the 2022-23 academic year. The cost of some public colleges can be more than $35,000 a year for in-state residents. When you see the full price of college for the first time, don’t feel discouraged. Here are some tips that can ease some of your worries about paying for college:

• The cost of attendance (or “sticker price”) of most colleges includes all colleges costs — tuition, fees, room and board, books and miscellaneous expenses for a single year of college. It’s an estimate and it may not be what you’ll actually have to pay. Financial aid -- loans, grants, work-study, and scholarships -- can make college more affordable. The average financial aid package awarded to undergraduates at NYU in 2020-2021, for example, totaled about $40,000. CollegeData’s college profiles report the the average financial aid packages colleges award students.

• Consider talking to the financial aid office at specific colleges and your high school counselor to see what kinds of financial aid you may be eligible for. Your high school counselor is there to help you, and the admissions teams at colleges will usually respond promptly and patiently to your questions 

• Learn as much as you can about college costs and financial aid on your own. You’ll find a lot of information online — including on CollegeData – about financial aid for college, including federal student loans. Start by understanding what goes into a college’s Cost of Attendance and the concept of Net Price (the price you’re likely to pay after receiving financial aid). Use the Net Price Calculators provided on most college websites to get an idea of your financial aid eligibility.

• Make sure that you talk to your parents about how much they are willing to pay for college. Understanding your and your parents’ financial situation – and expectations – can help you select colleges that you can comfortably afford — and this may reduce stress for everyone. Once you’ve had this conversation with your parents, you should be able to set reasonable expectations and prevent future disappointment. See How to Talk to Your Parents about Paying for College for tips on starting this conversation.

FEAR #3: GETTING REJECTED FROM YOUR DREAM SCHOOL

No one likes rejection or having their hopes dashed. But rejection is usually part of the college admissions experience, especially for students applying to competitive, highly sought-after schools.

First, remember that many top schools have very low acceptance rates. In 2022, Stanford admitted a little over four percent of applicants. If you are rejected from a top college (or two, or three), you will have many other qualified students to commiserate with.

Although getting denied from your number-one college choice may be hard for you, try not to focus on this outcome too much. If you make and apply to a well-balanced list of safety, target and reach schools (as many college counselors will tell you to do), you are likely to end up at a college where you will be happy. That’s why it’s important to research a variety of schools and visit as many of them as you can, either in person or virtually. Many schools offer virtual tours.

Second, keep in mind that according to the National Association of College Admission Counselors (NACAC), most colleges accept more than 60 percent of their applicants, so overall, a student has a good chance of getting into college somewhere. If you are not accepted to any schools that you think are the right fit, consider enrolling in your local community college and reapplying to four-year schools in one or two years.

FEAR #4: OVER-COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHERS

Many students enjoy talking about their achievements. Whether they mention them in passing, blab about them to everyone, or post them on their social media, other people’s achievements may make you feel “less-than.”

During senior year, there are many opportunities for students to compare themselves to others. Students often compare ACT, SAT and AP scores, grades, awards, college acceptances, and even college lists. If talking about these topics makes you uncomfortable, then don’t feel pressured to do so. Oftentimes, if you tell your friends and family that you don’t want to share, they will leave you alone. Maybe they will even learn to appreciate this new dynamic of privacy or subtlety more.

If you hear about someone else’s great accomplishment, remind yourself that you have tried your hardest on everything, and that even if someone is ahead of you right now, it may not always stay that way. Everyone learns and thrives at their own pace. This mindset will also help you when you’re at college, where you are likely to be surrounded by smart, ambitious students like yourself.

FEAR #5: HEADING DOWN THE WRONG PATH

Maybe you worry whether college is even the correct path for you, or if you are applying to college for the wrong reasons. Some people choose to go straight into the workforce after high school, or even enlist in the armed forces. Research what else you might want to do besides college, and if you have the funds to go after it. If you don’t think you’re ready for a four-year university, consider attending a local community college for a semester or two until you know better what it is you want to do.

Many community colleges have transfer agreements with four-year colleges. While you are figuring out what to do next, you can earn some inexpensive college credits while exploring a major, completing general education requirements at a lower cost, or learning a trade that you may use later.

Another option is taking a well-planned gap year. If you choose to take a gap year, make sure that you plan an experience that is focused on your goals and that you or your family has the resources to fund.

FEAR #6: MOVING AWAY FROM HOME

For many, college means leaving home for the first time. Besides missing friends, family and familiar surroundings, you’ll be responsible for many things, including laundry, shopping, and managing your money.

During your senior year, you might want to spend extra time with your family and friends especially if you are likely to be going away to school. Try to focus on the close friends that you may not see for a while instead of friends who are going to the same university as you. If you’re worried about homesickness, focus on the new friendships you’re sure to make and experiences that you’ll have at school, along with your newfound independence.

Your senior year is also a good time to start mastering some of the adulting skills you’ll need in college. Start doing your own laundry, if you don’t already. Learn how to cook and set up a budget. Consider opening a savings account specifically for college, and once you turn 18, apply for a credit card which can be a great way to cover unexpected expenses during college and to help you build credit in your own name. 

YOU'RE NOT ALONE

Know that the fears and concerns discussed in this article are common. If you experience any of them, you are likely not alone. Senior year can be challenging for everyone in different ways. Being ready to tackle these fears head on can help you stay focused on what you have to do – and enjoy your senior year at the same time.