Preparing for Applying for College:
College Board also has fabulous materials, including a recommended schedule for juniors and seniors (and even sophomores and freshmen)
Taking tests - look at the sample questions SATs and ACTs offer on their sites and see in which you think you would do better or which you enjoyed more. Juniors - consider taking an SAT in early spring like March or April (avoid May if you are taking APs). Juniors you have looked at some schools, figure out if any want you to have SAT IIs and take those in June (if you are taking APs, take the SAT IIs in those subjects unless you have other requirements to meet).
Preparing for the SATs/ACTs
One of Northwood alumni who got into all the Ivies said his SAT prep consisted of taking at least three practice tests and working on the problems/skills he got wrong between them. Consider making an SAT/ACT study group that consists of signing up for a study room at the library and taking the timed test together and then working on problems. Another student who got into an Ivy had a regular study schedule over the summer and during the school year for his SATs
Free SAT (and other subjects) test prep from Khan Academy (in partnership with College Board)
Free ACT test prep by ACT
Free test prep materials offered online via Montgomery County Public Library (look under T for Testing)
Some also recommended was Magoosh which costs money, but I think only $99 for an online course.
The following apps were recommended by Bob Tedeschi of the New York Times
SAT Score Quest for iPad (free)
Kaplan’s SAT Flashcubes, for iPhone ($5)
Kaplan’s SAT Flashcubes,(free)
SAT Connect ($10 for Apple).
For math, Adapster ($10 on Apple) is designed nicely.
But Flash of Genius: SAT Vocab ($1 Android, free on Apple) has earned good marks from users, as has ACT/SAT Math Booster (Free, Android).
Internships/Summer Program - Information on whether to try for a program (not necessary for getting into college) and a list of possible programs, including for undocumented students!
General information on Colleges
Naviance/Family connection is a great tool - use it!!!!
College Board also has fabulous search tools and the like!
Including a tool to compare colleges
Cappex - some folks like this search website, just FYI give an email you don't use too much as you get a lot of email from them.
CollegeData.com - has more updated information than Navigator or Scorecard often
College Scorecard - another search site, this time by the government
College Navigator - government site with good information on real costs of college and financial assistance; some nice tools for searching
Niche - you need an account, but a lot of good information and opinions
Reddit - a good resources
College Ahead Mobile App - link to an app with financial planning, test planning and other tools
MyIntuition - compares costs (based on income) for participating institutions
Forbes Magazine ranking of colleges (top, best buy, best liberal arts, public, etc.)
For Maryland residents - opportunities to get in-state tuition in other states.
Virtual Tours of Colleges:
CampusReel - Student created Tours - you need to make an account, but a very different perspective
Virtual Tour of Williams College (yes, this is clear bias, but I'm Williams Alum Class of 1992)!
Virtual Tour of Brown University (yes, more bias, but I'm also Brown MAT Class of 1998)!