Resources
These days, information and opinion on education and the college admissions process abound like never before. With so much chatter out there, it's important to find resources that are trustworthy.
Here are just a few of my favorite books, as well as links to useful college research sites.
Books:
Fiske Guide to Colleges
The Best 380 Colleges by The Princeton Review
Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope
What Are The Arts & Sciences? Dan Rockmore, Editor
Mindset by Carol Dweck
How To Raise An Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims
Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be by Frank Bruni
How To Talk So Teens Will Listen & Listen So Teens Will Talk by Faber & Mazlish
Letting Go: A Parents Guide to Understanding The College Years by Coburn & Treeger
Getting The Best Out Of College by Feaver, Wasiolek & Crossman
There Is Life After College by Jeffrey Selingo
Websites:
Big Future by the College Board
Testing:
College Board: for information and registration for the SAT, Subject Tests and APs
ACT: information and registration
National Center for Fair and Open Testing: for information on test-optional schools
Financial Aid:
FinAid.org: comprehensive information on student financial aid
FAFSA4caster: use this online tool for an initial estimate of your eligibility for need-based aid (Federal Methodology only)
College Board EFC Calculator: this online tool for need-based aid eligibility uses both Federal AND Institutional Methodology (many private colleges use Institutional Methodology)
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): the application used by all colleges that receive federal funding to determine financial aid
CSS Profile: in addition to the FAFSA, some colleges require the CSS Profile for their financial aid formula as well.