Using the Net

Get Into College—Using the Net

First Steps Chapters

First Steps

Self-Assessment

Academics

Activities and Interests

The Search Begins Chapters

The Search Begins

Reaches Matches Safeties

Using the Net

Application Process Chapters

Applying to College

GPA and Transcripts

Standardized Tests

Preparing for Standardized Tests

ECAs

Myths and Fact about ECAs

Early, Regular, Rolling

The Application

Writing the College Essay

Letters of Recommendation

Supplementary Materials

Surviving the Interview

Hooks and Intangibles

Financial Aid

- Need-based vs need-blind

- What you want is not always what you get

- Building your aid package

- Where to learn more

What Happens Next?

- Awaiting admissions decision

- Waitlisted

- Time to reflect

Transfers

Taking a Year Off

International Students

List of all USA Colleges

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Getting into an American college can be an intimidating process. By now, you've got a mailbox full of brochures, given it some thoughts about your preferences, and taken a closer look at a few colleges that might perk your interests; yet, so many questions remain unanswered.

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What the Net Can Do For You

The Internet is a powerful and essential tool for the college search. In fact there’s virtually no excuse for someone who has access to the Internet not to harness the power of today’s Information Technology.

Getting Online

Whereas in the past the library holds a vast amount of information, today the same information is only a few keystrokes away. Filing out online applications, registering for standardized tests and submitting aid forms are all now done online.

A lot of websites, such as ours, provide crucial information for prospective applicants. These are extremely helpful for seniors who are on their journey of discovery. Unfortunately a lot of them also sell services that are, in my opinion, not worth spending money on. But I shall not impose my opinion on you here; I intend to only present you with objective data.

So, anyway, some of the websites I recommend are:

The College Board – This is the site of the testing agency that administers the SAT and PSAT tests. Here you can register online for the SAT, receive tips on taking the SAT and some general information on college search.

The Princeton Review – A giant test prep company that offers prep courses for several standardized exams such as the SAT, GRE, GMAT, and TOEFL. Their college guides are very helpful, and they even offer a tool called the Counselor-O-Matic to help you find colleges that fit your profile.

Peterson’s – The biggest publisher on topics related to the college admissions process and includes a full package of application and financial aid tools that is available to those who register.

U.S News & World Report – I'm sure many of you are familiar with the controversial U.S News annual rankings. This site also publishes content from its print guide.

College Confidential – College Confidential offers essay editing services, consulting services and general advice on the college admissions process. Includes excerpts of interviews with experts in the field. It’s forum is a very active place where members exchange opinions and questions about college.

Don't forget the universities’ own websites. You should always head over to the websites of the schools you are interested in. A lot of these sites include hundreds and even thousands of pages produced by various academic divisions within the universities. At most of these places too, the schools post online versions of their course catalogs.

For example, I shall provide a random example to illustrate. Academy Art University in San Francisco is a leading computer art university. Suppose you are interested in the campus and you need more information. You will navigate to their information request page and fill out the form. Once you did that, the school will send you their viewbook, and any other items that may be of interest to you.

Simple, no? What if ...

I want the unofficial version of the information?
Good news is, if you are avid surfer, you can usually find links to student publications or organizations affiliated to the universities. For example, the campus newspaper. Resources like these present views from current students themselves, which shows a different angle of the environment at the school. If you are comfortable enough you can email a student with questions. Most of them will answer your questions happily.