Collegeboard - SAT and PSAT, AP Program, CSS Profile
Colleges That Change Lives - Colleges That Change Lives, Inc. (CTCL) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and support of a student-centered college search process.
Fair Test - Information and research about standardized testing and listings of universities' testing requirements
CampusReel.org - led by real, current students, usually in selfie-mode on their phone.
The College Essay Guy - US Application Support
UCAS - UK Application Portal, University and Course Search Tool, and application tool
Unifrog - Future Planning Platform of AISD
Unigo - read real students’ opinions on their schools
Work Colleges Consortium - The Work Colleges Consortium is a group of distinctive student-centered liberal arts colleges promoting the purposeful integration of Work-Learning-Service while helping to reduce the cost of education.
If you are a student athlete with aspirations of playing at the collegiate level or going pro outside of the US, please see Ms. Amanda in grade 9 or ASAP.
The US University Route:
Get onboard with an agency. The NCAA and NAIA recruiting processes can be overwhelming and confusing.
Take the PSAT in October of the grade 10 and 11 year. Registration is run through the school and will open in September.
Register and take the SAT before the end of the Grade 10 school year. Registration is completed through the Collegeboard - you can find all of the information here.
Once you have SAT scores, plan to take the SAT again at least one more time. The suggestion is to take it in the Spring of Gr 11, BUT keep in mind an agency may ask that you take it earlier in the fall of Grade 11 AND again in the Spring of Grade 11.
You will need to register with the NCAA and NAIA - if you are working with an agency they will walk you through this process. But regardless, you will HAVE to register with both associations in order to go through the recruitment process.
Other things to consider:
The better your grades, the more opportunities you have for complete scholarships
Consider looking at smaller, private schools - they tend to have less academic requirements and more money
Yes, take math ALL 4 YEARS
Boarding School Route:
Research potential options. There are hundreds of boarding schools throughout the world that support students with high athletic talent, while also offering a high school credential (high school diploma, BTEC, A-Levels, AP, IB, etc.)
If you are a student artist with aspirations of working, performing, and showcasing at the collegiate level, you will need a portfolio of your work for admissions. It is helpful to have pieces of your work that span between grades 9 - 12. Please see Ms. Amanda for more support.
danstudios.net is a phenomenal resource to help students who are planning to apply to visual arts programs. You can access the Portfolio Support PDF here.
Know yourself. After identifying your own style and desire, it becomes easier to find universities that are a match for you, or more often, those that are not a match! Ask yourself these questions. There is neither right nor wrong answers. It’s all about self-discovery.
What Are Your Goals & Values
Which values are most important to you? How have these developed and evolved? How do you define success? What unique gifts and strengths do you possess? What kind of person do you aspire to become? Is there any secret desire to choose one particular profession or path in life? What experiences have shaped who you have become and your way of thinking? Which do you value more, people or things, action or reflection?
What Emphasis Do You Place on Education
What are your academic interests? What courses have you enjoyed most? If on your own, what would you choose to learn? How do you best learn? Are particular teaching methods more effective for your learning style? What has been your most stimulating intellectual experience? What is your attitude towards studying?
What About Your Academic Record?
What does your academic record say about you as a learner? Where have you thrived and/or grown? Have you appropriately challenged yourself? What are your grades? How does your academic record represent you? Have there been circumstances that have affected your academic performance? What patterns will universities pick up on?
What About Your Activities Record?
Which have been the most fulfilling? Is there a pattern of commitment and success? What is your roll in your high school and community? What would others recognize as your contributions to the school or community?
How Do You Perceive the World Around You?
Has the school environment encouraged your skills, interests and talents? How has your family influenced your outlook on life? Have your interests been nurtured or limited? Have you found a cause for which to stand up? What are your strengths and how have you used them purposefully? How do you react when faced with people who thought or behaved differently to you? What issues do you feel strongly about? What is your social style, solitary or comfortable in large groups? How do you make difficult decisions?
Know the university. The following list is not meant to be the only means of evaluating a university. Each individual must determine the order of importance or weight each factor carries. The following are simply considerations that should be examined. You will need to review catalogs, handbooks, brochures, online listings, speak to alumni and college reps and others for specific colleges.
Type of School:
public vs. private
religious or secular
coed or single sex
liberal arts or pre-professional (engineering, business, nursing, etc.)
conservative or liberal student body
traditional or progressive
Enrollment:
number of undergraduates
male/female ratio; co-ed or single sex
% of international students
residential or commuting
retention rate after one year
Location & Surroundings:
geographic location
weather/climate
proximity to family and friends
size of town/city
transportation needs/access
Curriculum & Academic Environment:
Honors College available
language of instruction
degree of competitiveness
availability of professors for student conferences
quality of faculty; teaching vs. research
what are the core curriculum classes which must be taken
majors offered
academic pressure and workload
IB recognition
Campus Life:
clubs, organizations, sports
weekend events/activities
religious organizations
housing: co-ed/single-sex, required for first year/off campus housing possible
meal plans/catering
honor system
class attendance required
security
recreational facilities/extra-curricular activities
Expenses:
cost of tuition, room/board, books and supplies plus travel expense
financial aid available, percent of students receiving aid
work study programs
Entrance Requirements:
course prerequisites
application process/ deadlines
SAT and/or SAT Subject Tests; IB requirements
selectivity; % of applicants admitted
average scores of freshman/first year student profile
Note that in many countries students will apply directly to the university of their choice, thus information for each university cannot be provided. Below is a list of different locations and associated web links to find more information about post-secondary options and opportunities.
Australia
Austria
Belgium
https://www.studyinflanders.be/ Search tool with information about the universities, programs, etc. Note: Only public institutions listed on this website.
https://www.highereducation.be/home Search for programs in Flanders. Anything listed here is accredited in Flanders, and if accredited in Flanders, that means also in Belgium as well as in the whole of the EU.
Canada
http://www.universitystudy.ca/ (This is nation-wide, and you can find schools with a specific program that you are looking for.)
https://apply.educationplannerbc.ca/ (British Columbia only. Research and application portal.)
www.ouac.on.ca (Ontario only.This is also the initial application website.)
https://www.univcan.ca/ (Facts and stats: size, tuition fee comparison for domestic and int’l students, scholarships.)
http://scholarships-bourses.gc.ca/scholarships-bourses/index.aspx?lang=eng (Scholarships for international and national students.)
http://www.macleans.ca/education-hub/ (Nation-wide research tool.)
China
Denmark
Finland
France
Gap Year
Germany
https://www.myguide.de/en/ (Do your research here.)
https://www.daad.de/en/study-and-research-in-germany/plan-your-studies/recognition-ib-diploma/ (Lists the specific requirements for the IB diploma)
Greece
http://studyingreece.edu.gr/ (Learn about the Greek system, search for programs, etc.)
https://masters.minedu.gov.gr/Bachelors/index/en (Search for bachelor’s degrees here.)
Hong Kong
Ireland
CAO (Application System)
Study in Ireland hosted by Trinity University (Why study here, pathways and application procedures.)
https://www.educationinireland.com/en/ (Do your research here.)
Japan
Netherlands
http://www.studyfinder.nl/ (One stop shop to find all English undergraduate programs offered in the NL)
https://www.studyinholland.nl/scholarships/find-a-scholarship
Video about housing in the Netherlands
Lots of other informational videos by Study in Holland
All universities and university colleges must be applied to through Studielink
New Zealand
Poland
https://study.gov.pl/studyfinder (Search for all English taught programs in Poland)
Portugal
Singapore
South Africa
http://www.nbt.ac.za/ (National Benchmark Test for many South African universities.)
South Korea
Spain
https://spaincounselor.com/ “SPAIN Counselor, is an official partner of the National University of Distance Education – in Spanish: Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNEDasiss). UNED is the largest public university in Spain. It is also the authorized institution to manage the application procedures for international students who want to study at Spanish universities.”
Study in Spain--provides a list of all programs in English at public and private universities
Sweden
https://www.universityadmissions.se/intl/start (Search for programs and apply to multiple universities through this centralized, national system.)
Switzerland
UK:
http://www.ucas.ac.uk/ (Find universities in the UK, including their application requirements, and apply. One application, many universities. Tons of resources.)
www.opendays.com (Find out all about university open days, including dates.)
US:
www.collegeboard.org (Search tool - Mostly the US, but also includes some universities around the world; also register for the SAT here.)
www.applytexas.org (Texas only. Search and apply to Texas universities.)
https://apply.universityofcalifornia.edu/my-application/login (University of California System Application)
https://www.calstate.edu/apply (California State Application)
www.commonapp.org (One application, many universities. Mostly the US, but also 75 universities around the world, including in the UK, Australia, Ireland, Korea, China, Canada, and others.)
http://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/ (One application, many universities - but not as many as Common App, and not as smooth of a process...sometimes there are tech glitches.)
Regions and World-Wide
AFRICA
http://africauniversities.org/
EUROPE
www.eunicas.com (Find university courses offered in English or partially in English throughout Europe)
European Universities Consortium
Study in Europe Country Profiles (Great resource to filter English taught degrees throughout Europe)
WORLD WIDE
American Universities with International Campuses
http://www.hotcoursesabroad.com/
*If you are interested in a university in a country that is not listed above, please make an appointment with Ms. Amanda