College Exploration
College Exploration
With a little background knowledge and the right tools, exploring colleges and crafting your college list can be easy and manageable. Check out all the great resources including college search engines and videos below.
Click here for College Search Tools
Big Future - College Board - you should already have an account; completing activities like college searches, gives you a chance to win a scholarship
Cappex - allows students to search for colleges and scholarships with one profile
College Confidential - allows students to search for colleges and scholarships with one profile; lots of other community resources
College Data - can estimate chances of admission
Niche - basic search does not require an account; uses student reviews and input on colleges
Texas Monthly College Guide - does not require an account
College Navigator - does not require an account; includes trade schools
Online College Fairs
https://www.collegeweeklive.com/
https://www.petersons.com/college-search.aspx
Questions to ask yourself
http://www.gocollege.com/admissions/college-search/
The College Tour
Learn about the culture of colleges across the USA through the voices of current students by watching The College Tour TV series (www.thecollegetour.com).
In this spreadsheet there is a tab to search by TV SEASON or you can search by STATE.
There are over 130 episodes on colleges across 36 states. Each week more are added. They have episodes on big state Universities, small private Colleges, Community Colleges, HBCUs, Christian Colleges and even 5 episodes in Spanish language.
College Ranking Lists
You can use college ranking lists to help you explore a wider variety of colleges to best suit your interests and needs.
Forbes - focuses on best return on investment for students
Princeton Review - concentrates on student experiences
U.S. News & World Reports - uses objective data like retention rates, alumni giving rates, standardized test scores, and financial aid
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities
U.S. News & World Reports List of 10 Best College Websites
https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/the-college-solution/2010/06/15/the-10-best-college-websites
College Exploration Opportunities and Summer Enrichment Programs
Many colleges and universities offer students an opportunity to explore their campus and majors by participating in summer enrichment programs.
Click here for a list of College Exploration Opportunities and Summer Enrichment Programs.
Click here for Crafting Your College List - Presentation by Mrs. Phelan reviewing how to search for colleges and what types of colleges to include in your college list
Great article discussing match & fit in college search:
How to Choose Dream, Target, and Safety Schools
https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/dream-match-safety-schools
Check out these TMHS alums' videos and what criteria they used when
choosing their colleges.
TMHS Grad C/O 2019 - Michelle Byers (Attends Ouachita Baptist University)
TMHS Grad C/O 2018 - Meredith England (Attends Oklahoma City University - Majoring in Acting)
TMHS Grad C/O 2015 - Reis Seggebruch (Cornell University Graduate - Recruited for football)