Although senior year is when a majority of high schoolers apply to college, it helps to start thinking about the process before then. Here are some recommendations on how to find the right fit and get in.
ACT/SAT Practice
While a growing number of universities are experimenting with “test optional” policies, a good SAT and ACT score can help your application. Brainfuse, opens a new window’s “LEAP Learning Platform” offers free ACT, SAT, and GED practice tests so you can assess what areas to focus your studying on.
You will need to sign in with your Chicago Public Library account to access these materials.
Virtual Visits
It’s hard to get a feel for a college without seeing it! While nothing beats an in-person visit, that’s not always feasible. Use the “street view” mode of Google Maps, opens a new window or Google Earth to get a sense of what the campus looks like. Just type in the university you’re curious about, click street view (often symbolized by a person icon), then click on a particular street to see the area.
Navigating this mode can take a little getting used to, but it’ll give you a taste of the place.
Learning About Individual Colleges
The most in depth information about a college’s programs and application process is from its website. But that can be a lot to navigate, plus they’re trying to sell you on a product (themselves). Websites like Niche, opens a new window and Appily, opens a new window can give you a good overview of things like cost, reviews on campus life/safety, and breakdowns of different demographics.
Note: as third party sites, they might not always be accurate (information can change, and data is influenced by how people choose to review), but these can be a great start for pinpointing some places to dive deeper into.
Understanding the Financial Side
Some colleges can be more expensive than others, especially if you choose a private university or a state school in a state you don’t live in. https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans, opens a new window explains the different kinds of loan programs available, the positive and negative.
This is just the tip of the iceberg with college. If your school has a college counselor, they can be a great resource as well.