Here are links, resources and book titles, recommended by members of National Association for College Admissions Counseling to help college-bound students with their study skills and college planning . Please contact your school counselor to help assist you in the process, and help with any concerns. A special thanks to Terry Mohaupt, Illinois Association for Gifted Children.
Next Steps
Make a plan – Get a free step-by-step college plan.
Preparing Gifted Kids for College This is a link to an informative booklet covering many aspects of the college admission process. It was co written by a Board member of IAGC. Submitted by Terry Mohaupt – February 2007.
When Seeking a Great College Fit, Gifted Students Have Additional Considerations Read more
Testing
Visit collegeboard.org SAT Exam registration, deadlines, AP classes and scores.
Visit act.org for ACT exam registration and college planning.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Visit fastweb.com for scholarships, financial aid, grants and loans.
Visit www.fafsa.ed.gov for information on financial aid assistance.
Great scholarships for Gifted students check it out
Student Aid on the Web Source for free information from the U.S Department of Education on preparing for and funding education beyond high school.
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) will provide over $100 billion annually, about 60 percent of all student aid, to help millions of students and families pay for post secondary education.
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
National Merit Scholarship Corporation
No student can afford to miss out on financial aid opportunities, which is why Affordable Colleges created guide to the FAFSA.
College Choices & Options
Colleges for the Exceptionally Gifted visit CEGS.org
Visit cappex.com to search over 3,000 colleges for admission information, majors and deadlines.
College major – visit mymajor.com
The Chronicle Almanac of Higher Education contains national and state-by-state data on colleges and universities, their students, faculty and staff members, and finances.
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
US News – Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Naviance comprehensive college and career readiness solution
Washington Monthly: College Guide
Forbes: America’s Top Colleges
Business Insider 50 best colleges in America
Career Choices
Guide to career occupations! http://www.bls.gov/ooh/
Finding out what you want to do in the future involves knowing who you are today. A self-inventory can help you plan for college and a career. click here
An excellent career website that offers information about most jobs in existence is http://online.onetcenter.org/
The more you research and learn about a career, what degree is needed to work in that specific field, and the courses needed coming out of high school, the greater chances are that you will choose a career that suits you and invest in your education and future.
College Essay & Personal Statement
Writing a College Admission Essay Here are three messages compiled by Terry Mohaupt with advice and comments about college admission essays. (November 7, 2004)
The personal statement is an important part of your college application package. Here are some helpful guidelines.
Recommended Reads:
- The Great Book of How to Study by Ron Fry
- The Everything Study Book by Steven Frank.
- First Things First by Steven Covey
- How To Study in College by Walter Pauk
- Study Smarter, Not Harder by Self Counsel Press
- Been There Should’ve Done That by Suzette Tyler
- Crazy U by Andrew Ferguson (One Dad’s Crash Course in Getting His Kid into College)
- The Freshman Survival Guide: Soulful Advice for Studying, Socializing, and Everything In Between by Nora Bradbury-Haehl and Bill McGarvey. This book “is loaded with advice from college students, counselors, campus ministers, professor, and administrators.”
- Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope. Forty schools students should know about even if they are not straight-A students.
- Cool Colleges for the Hyper-Intelligent, Self-Directed, Late Blooming and Just Plain Different by Donald Asher
Do’s and Don’ts of College Interviews
CLEP
Some colleges and universities allow students to take CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) tests to earn college credit for 33 introductory-level college subjects. CLEP exams test mastery of college-level material acquired in a variety of ways and are accepted at over 2,900 campuses across the country. Each college sets its own policy: It decides which CLEP exams it will grant credit for and how many credits it will award. So contacting the school is the first step in determining if CLEP tests are a good option. To look up which colleges accept CLEP tests, decide which (if any) exams to take, and registering for exams, please visit the College Board website at: https://clep.collegeboard.org/started
SAT Subject Tests
Subject Tests are hour-long, content-based tests that allow students to showcase achievement in specific subject areas where they excel. These are the only national admission tests where you choose the tests that best showcase your achievements and interests in a single subject area. Some highly selective colleges and universities require students to take Subject Tests as part of the application process. Some colleges also use Subject Tests to place students into the appropriate courses.
SAT Subject Tests allow you to differentiate yourself in the college admission process or send a strong message regarding your readiness to study specific majors or programs in college. In conjunction with your other admission credentials (your high school record, SAT scores, teacher recommendations, etc.), they provide a more complete picture of your academic background and interests.
There are 20 SAT Subject Tests in five general subject areas: English, history, languages, mathematics and science. To learn more about Subject Tests, registers, and take practice exams please visit: http://sat.collegeboard.org/about-tests/sat-subject-tests
AP TESTS
Colleges and universities throughout the world offer credit and/or placement for qualifying Advanced Placement® exam scores. Information about AP credit and placement policies at many colleges and universities is available on the College Board’s web site.
- Go to www.collegeboard.com/ap/creditpolicy/
- Type in the name of the college or university whose AP policy you want to view (or browse by letter of the alphabet).
- You will see a link to the college’s own web page that details its AP credit/placement policies and a statement by the college or university about their AP policy.
PGE-Parents for Gifted Education 