Choosing your future college is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make.
That’s why it’s important that you get it right. Finding a college that’s right for you is crucial to your future success, employment, and finances.
In other words, it’s a critical two-to-four-year investment and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
But where do you begin? Sometimes, it can seem overwhelming just learning where to start. There are so many colleges out there that it can be hard to choose the right one.
That’s where we come in. In this guide, we’ll give you information about some must-have college resources that will have you readier than ever to choose a school that’s right for you.
Let’s take a look at these options and see how they can help you below.
Campus Explorer
Campus Explorer is one of the most popular options for upcoming college students.
Primarily a high-powered, college-oriented search engine, this website will allow you to sort colleges by category so that you can find the one that is right for your needs.
Specifically, Campus Explorer lets you search for colleges based on degree programs offered, college type, college location, and the major you’re interested in.
It’s recommended that you find a college that aligns with most if not all of your needs in each of these areas.
Campus Explorer also provides students with information about the colleges they discover.
Designed to help students understand their options, this site also gives out specific college admissions information upon request.
This means that if you find an option or two you’re interested in, Campus Explorer will send you the information you need to apply.
For this reason, Campus Explorer is one of the most popular college resources available today.
If you’re unsure what college to choose or what steps to take, this website can get you where you need to be.
BeRecruited
BeRecruited is one of the top websites for high school athletes looking to play at the collegiate level.
Whether you toss the pigskin or rule the court, BeRecruited works to get your name out there to college administration and coaches.
The goal?
To get you recruited and going to college on an athletic scholarship.
The process is easy. Simply sign up with your specific information and build your profile on the website.
According to BeRecruited, 81% of all profiles created are seen by college coaches.
This means that BeRecruited is one of the top tools to get your name and your stats out there to those in charge at the next level.
BeRecruited also advertises another amazing statistic: namely, that 85% of committed athletes receive scholarships.
This means that if you are successfully recruited through the site, you have a high probability of receiving an athletic scholarship.
That’s pretty sweet.
When it comes to websites that bring awareness to
If you are a high school athlete who would like to continue both your educational and athletic careers at the next level, visit BeRecruited today and get your name out there!
It could be just the chance you need.
College Board
College Board is one of the most respected names in all of college prep. Primarily known as the creator and administer of the SAT, College Board also offers valuable resources to students who are looking to succeed at the next level.
Like Campus Explorer, College Board offers a high-powered college search tool that lets you search for colleges based
This is a valuable resource for any student struggling to find the college that is right for them.
What’s more, the College Board also offers several college planning options.
For starters, the service provides students with a tool to compare colleges against one another.
This gives students a better idea at which colleges better suit there needs and give them the most opportunities moving forward.
Having a tough time choosing between two different schools?
This tool allows you to make the right choice by reviewing all relevant and important information.
The organization provides another great resource on their website.
Namely, the site has a tool where students can review popular majors and the careers associated with them.
This is helpful to those students who aren’t sure what direction to go in after leaving high school.
If you are in the same situation, consider checking out this major and career finding tool.
With several available options and the ability to see what majors go with certain schools, you’ll never be at a loss to see which majors are right for you.
The College Board also gives students access to a scholarship finding tool. Not sure what scholarships you are eligible for?
This valuable resource gives you the option to search through hundreds of scholarships.
Not sure where to begin? Remember that while many scholarships are GPA based, others are based instead on community service or minority status.
Keeping this in mind can help you navigate the College Board’s scholarship finding tool.
Overall, students who are looking to go to college should take advantage of all the resources the College Board offers.
As perhaps the most comprehensive college prep organization in the nation, it provides students of all backgrounds with fantastic information and educational opportunities.
ReviewSchools
ReviewSchools is another quality option for students looking for great college prep resources.
Like other options on this list, ReviewSchools gives students the ability to sort colleges by name, city, and state.
This gives students the ability to find quality colleges in their area.
ReviewSchools also provides in-depth college reviews. These reviews are designed to help prospective students learn more about their potential future universities.
What’s more, ReviewSchools offers access to student and alumni ratings.
This means that prospective students can read real reviews on what it’s like to be a student at a particular college.
These honest reviews help students find out the good, the bad, and the ugly about schools they’re interested in.
ReviewSchools is a top option or any student looking for clear-cut reviews of the schools they are interested in.
As such, it’s vital that you don’t leave this option off your list as you search for your future college.
College Confidential
College Confidential is a quality option for students who are unsure which college is right for them.
Providing in-depth school and major information, this website also presents common career pathways that are available with each major.
College Confidential has become one of the most trusted names in college prep and should be considered a valuable resource for any student who is struggling to find an avenue to the next level.
With an expert staff that is on demand to help anyone with questions, this website is a must-visit for all high school students.
With this website’s free forum feature, you are able to contact other prospective and current college students, as well as give and read reports about campus visits from other individuals.
This is a great way to gain anecdotal evidence about what campus life at your desired university is really like.
This personal touch makes College Confidential one of the top resources for anyone looking to go to the next level.
As you consider which college is right for you, make sure you take advantage of College Confidential’s free resources.
Counselor
Sometimes, the most valuable resources are right in front of our noses.
Your high school guidance counselor can serve as one of your top resources.
Why?
Simply put, it’s her job to make sure you are prepared for the next level.
Have any questions? She will hook you up with any information, resources, or application materials you may need.
She will also be able to give you advice on which majors seem right for you.
Guidance counselors will be able to talk with you over your transcripts and help you find a major that builds on your strengths and your interests.
Certainly, no student should make the decision to go to college without first talking to their guidance counselor.
In skipping this part of the process, you are missing out on valuable advice and potential scholarship information.
One of the things many students don’t know is that guidance counselors will search on your behalf for scholarship information that may be relevant to your case.
If you are unsure what opportunities are available to you and don’t have the time or Internet at home to look them up with the resources above, it’s more than worth a visit to your guidance counselor.
Guidance counselors can also set students up with valuable college fair information (more on that below).
This is a great option for students who are looking for a more tangible view at prospective colleges and universities.
College Fairs
College fairs prove wildly useful to students who are unsure what college is right for them.
These fairs provide students with specific information about a variety of colleges and afford them the opportunity to speak with real representatives of prospective colleges.
At college fairs, students get access to valuable admissions, scholarship, and campus life information.
Keep in mind that you must bring your current academic transcript to these fairs in order to get the quality information you are looking for.
In general, however, college fairs are a great way for students to find a college that is right for them.
What’s more, they’re a great way to review colleges with your friends and family. Remember that you don’t have to go alone.
Going with a group can help you feel more comfortable and confident in your decision.
College Websites
It may sound time-consuming, but you can always visit the websites of particular colleges you are interested in.
While other websites are great, no one knows more about your desired college than the desired college itself.
Oftentimes, college and university websites contain more detailed information about the majors and programs they offer, as well as about their staff and faculty.
If you already know what major you want to pursue, it’s worth visiting the websites of your prospective colleges and viewing the faculty for that major.
Which one has the better staff?
Which one has more qualified professors?
Visiting individual websites gives you the ability to see this information so that you can take your college search to the next level.
It also gives you the opportunity to see the current study-abroad and campus activity programs the college offers.
For many students, this could be a make-or-break decision, so it’s important that you actually review all parts of a college’s website.
Finally, visiting college websites affords students a view at some of the finest college photography.
Want to know what a campus really looks like?
Many websites provide students with a glimpse at gorgeous campus photography and even videos of campus.
Overall, you shouldn’t leave this option out if you are looking for the right college.
This is one of the most valuable resources any student can have, so make sure you keep it in your arsenal.
The Bottom Line
If you are a current high school student wondering what your college options are, this list can be of great service to you.
Understanding the resources available on this list can help you make the right decision when it comes to choosing your college.
We recommend trying out as many options on this list as you can. Doing so can help you make sure that you’ve taken all relevant data and information into account when you make your college decision.
And of course, remember to include your parents with you as you go on your journey.
Many of these websites also have parental options, meaning that your parents will have valuable resources to help you choose the right college as well.
While it can be tempting to make this choice alone, remember that two heads are better than one, and that it’s always helpful to have a little advice.
So that’s it. Best of luck on your college search! Keep these resources in mind and continue onward to great things!
