Below are some links to help you get started on the exciting path to college excellence. The following resources are just a guide to some helpful things to consider - use what works for you as you see fit! It may be helpful to get advice from older friends or siblings, or even reach out to some students at the schools you are interested in. Many schools' admissions teams have students on staff that are happy to talk about their experiences, and social media platforms like Facebook and Reddit may also be a good option to explore.

• Resources for college: 
  
  • How do I get started?
    
  • https://www.collegeessayguy.com/college-application-hub 
    
    • First step: creating your college school list: 
      
      • How to create a list: https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/how-to-make-a-college-list/ 
        
        • Look into special programs and see if interests align with any of those/explore non-college/non-traditional college options 
          
        • Talk to seniors/upperclassmen/graduates about their college lists 
          
    • Learning about the types of applications: 
      
      • Common-App: Guide to CommonApp: First Year Students
        
      • Coalition-App: Guide to CoalitionApp: First-year students 
        
      • School-specific applications:  
        
        • Some schools have their own separate application hub. Be sure to look through the website of each college and locate the tab for prospective students to follow their instructions on how to apply. (applies to special programs as well). 
          
  • Where to go to find help: 
    
    • The internet → college websites (Princeton Review, Common App, CollegeBoard); Google searches to find articles
      
    • School counselors; specific questions about chances, reviews for essays, questions about where to go, etc. 
      
    • Peers (especially peers older than you that have been through the process) 
      
    • Social media sites; reddit and college confidential (DISCLAIMER: use these resources with caution)
      
• Testing: 
  
  • Different schools have different policies when it comes to test scores, with some not requiring scores at all
    
    • Test optional schools (don’t require scores, allow applicants to decide whether or not their scores accurately represent their abilities
      
      
    • Test flexible schools (require testing but also offer other options in lieu of sending test scores, such as meeting a minimum GPA requirement or sending AP exam scores
      
    • Test blind schools (do not consider scores at all
      
  • Your test scores do not define you!
    
    • It’s okay to not get a 1600/36
      
    • Schools accept students from a range of test scores and take a holistic approach when evaluating applicants, considering factors such as extracurriculars and personal circumstances in addition to academics and scores
      
  • How to start studying
    
    • Start studying as early as possible!
      
    • Research test formatting and scoring
      
      • Compare SAT and ACT, research which schools accept which tests
        
        • https://www.princetonreview.com/college/sat-act 
          
      • Look into average scores for target schools to set personal goals
        
    • Take a practice test to serve as a baseline for yourself
      
      • Official practice exams: https://www.collegeprepresults.com/test-prep-resources/
        
      • Review your incorrect answers to understand why they were wrong and how you can improve
        
      • Review subscores to determine target areas for improvement
        
    • Consider prep options: online prep programs, private tutoring, group classes
      
      • Khan Academy: SAT partner site
        
    • Take more practice exams to monitor growth
      
• Writing Essays:
  
  • How to start writing essays
    
    • When should I start? 
      
      • Start brainstorming/writing over the summer before senior year to avoid adding to stress of course load during school year
        
        • Review Common App and school-specific prompts
          
        • Timeline: https://www.ivywise.com/ivywise-knowledgebase/resources/article/college-essay-brainstorming-and-writing-timeline-for-rising-seniors/ 
          
      • Expect to write several drafts of each essay
        
    • Getting Started with Information about writing college apps 
      
    • More college essays info 
      
  • Examples of good essays/essay topics 
    
    • Examples of Recent College Essays 
      
    • https://blog.collegevine.com/common-app-essay-examples/ 
      
    • Schools may publish examples of successful past essays
      
      • https://apply.jhu.edu/application-process/essays-that-worked/
        
      • https://admissions.tufts.edu/apply/advice/past-essays/common-application-essays/ 
        
  • Where to go for essay review
    
    • Counselors, peers, upperclassmen, teachers, family
      
    • Online services: 
      
      • https://www.collegevine.com/apply/essay-editing/
        
      • https://www.essaycoaching.com/collegeapplicationessayquiz 
        
• Scholarship information
  
  • Resources to find broad scholarships
    
    • https://usagrantapplications.org/free-college-grants/index-v2.php
      
    • https://www.scholarships.com/
      
    • https://www.discover.com/student-loans/college-planning/scholarships/directory/general
      
    • https://studentscholarships.org/
      
    • http://www.collegescholarships.org/financial-aid/
      
  • Resource to find local scholarships
    
    • https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarships-by-type/local-scholarships/
      
    • https://www.studentscholarshipsearch.com/state/
      
    • https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/how-to-find-local-scholarships-in-your-own-backyard
      
    • https://professionals.collegeboard.org/guidance/financial-aid/local-scholarships
      
  • Low-income scholarships
    
    • http://www.collegescholarships.org/scholarships/low-income.htm
      
    • https://lowincomerelief.com/scholarships-low-income-students/
      
    • https://www.scholarships.com/news/income-based-scholarships
      
• Financial Aid: Completing the FAFSA and CSS Profile
  
  • https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
    
  • CSS Profile: 
    
    • https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/ 
      
    • https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-to-complete-the-css-profile
      
    • https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/getting-started-your-css-profile-application
      
• Special Information: 
  
  • Dual Degree programs
    
    • https://www.mydegreeguide.com/dual-degree/ 
      
    • https://blog.prepscholar.com/dual-degree-programs 
      
    • Interested in medicine? Consider a BS/MD program
      
      • Dual degree program that allows you go straight from undergraduate to medical school: 
        
        • https://blog.collegevine.com/a-complete-list-of-all-bs-md-programs/ 
          
        • https://blog.prepscholar.com/ba-md-bs-md-programs-list 
          
  • Interested in pursuing the arts? Apply to arts based schools
    
    • https://www.creativebloq.com/career/how-get-art-college-5132555 
      
    • https://www.aicad.org/admissions-resources/ 
      
    • https://www.forbes.com/sites/christeare/2018/06/22/college-advice-theater-and-dance-applications/#22d6638bcc4c
      
  • Wanting to pursue non-college/non-traditional options? 
    
    • Community college is a great alternative to a traditional four-year degree
      
    • https://blog.massmutual.com/post/college-alternatives 
      
    • Trade School 
      
      • https://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources/trade-school-vs-college/
        
      • https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/vocational-trade-schools/ 
        
• Sprinkle in advice from the google form throughout the different sections 
  
• Include a blurb at the very end talking about anxiety and where to go to handle feelings of insecurity and anxiety in the college process 
  
• College transition advice: 
  
  • How to move into college
    
  • What to expect from college 
    
  • How to handle fear about starting college 
    
• College and mental health: *put this like not here in the order though* 
  
  • Talk about anxiety with applying to college
    
    • How to handle fear about the future: A guide for year 12 students
      
  • Feelings on inadequacy 
    
    • Resources for these^
      
  • Anxiety about going to college/leaving home
    

BAck to High School Mental Health Resources

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