College & Testing Resources

Many of the following internet resources require registration. You will eventually have 8-10 different sites (and accompanying logins/passwords) that you will use during the college search, including individual college online applications. Try to coordinate the logins/passwords or at least keep really good notes!

All college-related websites - general information, testing, financial aid, etc. - should be free, even if they require registration. You should never have to pay to use any websites during your college search, except when paying testing or application fees (i.e.: registering for the SAT or submitting an application). If you are concerned about a particular website, please see Anna immediately.

College Search Tools & General Information

• Naviance / Family Connection
  Your home base for organizing your college search with NWS. This web-based program allows you to research colleges and universities, as well as communicate with the College Counseling Office. You and your parents will be given individual logins at the beginning of your junior year.
• Braintrack
  A great site for searching internationally! Braintrack is a world-wide educational index with links to 8,300 universities in 194 countries. You can search by university name or by country.
• College Board
  Not just a site for SAT registration! College Board includes college search tools and general college information.
• Colleges That Change Lives
  A site of the 40 colleges highlighted in the book Colleges That Changes Lives (or CTCL) with information on upcoming CTCL events, individual college profiles, and college search resources.
• NCAA Student
  Considering varsity athletics in college? This site was designed by the NCAA to assist student-athlete and their families through the college search and eligibility process.
• Peterson's
  Peterson's provides extensive information and search tools online for your college search. In addition to general searches, you can search specialized sections, including culinary schools, arts, music, and theatre programs, and summer programs. Registration required.
• Princeton Review
  A popular guidebook, Princeton Review's Best 366 Colleges, is also online. In addition to colleges in the 366 guide, this website includes profiles of colleges in Princeton Review's other publications. Registration required.

Applying to Colleges

• Common Application
  Almost 350 US colleges and universities accept the Common Application, a common form submitted to multiple colleges. Many colleges also have an individual supplement (available on the website) which you must also complete. Registration required.
• UCAS
  UCAS is the central organization for all applications to all UK colleges and universities. UK universities only accept online applications through the UCAS site. Registration required.
• Universal College Application
  The Universal Application is used by over 50 different US colleges and universities. The Universal Application is a common application that you can submit to multiple colleges using one form. Like the Common Application, individual supplements may be required. Registration required.

Testing

• ACT
  This site handles the registration for the ACT, as well as submission of your ACT scores to colleges. Registration required.
• College Board
  Registering for the SAT or SAT Subject tests? Online registration and coordination of your SAT score submission is handled through the "testing" section of the College Board site. Registration required.
• FairTest
  This non-profit organization provides a list (link under "University Testing") of the colleges with test-optional admission policies. An abbreviated list is also available in the College Counseling Office.
• TOEFL
  Registration for TOEFL exams - in the US and around the world - is handled through this site. Test centers announce open seats for testing dates approximately three months in advance.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial scams are especially prevalent in the college financial aid and scholarship realm. If you are ever asked to pay a fee for financial aid/scholarship services online or through the mail, please check with Anna immediately.

• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
  You will use this government site for your entire academic career to apply for US federal student aid and receive information on financial aid policies and programs. Spanish information section included. Registration required by students and parents. Note: Social Security Numbers are required in the registration process as this is a federal website.
• CSS PROFILE
  The CSS PROFILE is required by some colleges and scholarship programs as a supplement to the FAFSA. Spanish information section included. Note: This is the one financial aid/scholarship program that requires a fee to submit forms to colleges.
• FastWeb
  One of the most extensive scholarship sites available, FastWeb has a detailed search engine to search for a variety of scholarship programs. Registration required.
• FinAid
  An extensive guide to financial aid information, common questions, and scholarship search tools. The financial aid calculator can also be very helpful as you financially plan for college.

Test Prep Resources

NWS does not endorse or encourage test prep, but recognizes it is a part of many students' college admission strategies. As such, information on Seattle area test prep organizations is provided for informational purposes. A list of individual SAT/ACT tutors is also available from the College Counseling Office.

• Kaplan
  Kaplan offers courses for the SAT, ACT, and TOEFL in conjunction with most testing dates throughout the year. "Express" classes, free practice exams, and a SAT/ACT combination assessment exams are also available.
• Princeton Review
  Princeton Review offers courses for the SAT, ACT, and TOEFL throughout the year in conjunction with testing dates.
• Sandweiss Test Prep
  A Seattle-based test prep organization, Sandweiss offers courses for the SAT, ACT, and TOEFL throughout the year.
• Seattle Public Library
  SPL offers free practice exams and assessments for the SAT periodically throughout the year. Upcoming sessions are usually listed under "Teens News" in the Teen section of the website.

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