College Search

Websites:

• Big Future by The College Board

• College Search by Niche

• College Search by Princeton Review

Books:

• Fiske Guide to Colleges by Edward Fiske

• Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope

• Colleges That Create Futures by Princeton Review

Financial Aid & Scholarships

FinAid.org provides clear explanations and comparison tools.

The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA needs to be filed during the fall of your student’s senior year of high school, ideally as soon as possible after October 1.

The CSS Profile is an application for non-federal institutional aid. Many private colleges and universities require prospective students to complete both the FAFSA and CSS Profile to apply for financial aid. The CSS Profile should be completed by November 1 of your student’s senior year of high school.

Remember to check out local organizations for scholarships and financial aid. For example, the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation offers over 60 scholarships, while the Alworth Memorial Fund offers scholarships to math and science majors.

RaiseMe is scholarship site which connects students to colleges that provide micro-scholarships for grades and achievements during high school.

Going Merry is a national scholarship site that allows students to apply to several scholarships with a single application.

Test Preparation

Peterson’s is a test prep site that offers resources for many exams, including the ACT, SAT, CLEP, and AP tests.

Looking for a tutor? Referrals to local tutors available on request.

College Applications

The AXS Companion is a free, open online resource designed by professional consultants to be used side-by-side with Common App as you work through your application. Each section includes explanatory videos, helpful tips, a glossary of application terms, and links to resources mentioned in the videos.

Articles

• What Parents of College-Bound Students Need to Do (U.S. News & World Report)

• How Involved Should I Be in My Child’s College Admission Process? (Kaplan Test Prep)

• Guiding Students to Improve Executive Functioning Skills (Edutopia)

College Tours

Your student’s chosen college should be the right fit academically and financially. However, another important component is the social element—how a college feels. Virtual resources, like those linked below, can help, but the best way to get to know a college is usually through a campus visit.

Virtual Resources:

• CampusTours (interactive maps and virtual tours of college campuses)

• CampusReel (virtual college tours, created by students)

Tips:

• Start early. Campus visits can start as early as your student’s freshman year of high school. Going on a family vacation? Consider scheduling a college tour along the route. Just getting your feet wet? Start with a tour of a college nearby.

• Do some prep work. Ask your student to think about what interests them about the college ahead of time. Make time to explore those interests during your student’s time on campus. Interested in a specific major? Contact the admissions office before you arrive and ask to schedule a visit to see a building with a student or faculty member from that program.

• Take good notes. Before the tour starts, give the presenter or tour guide a heads up that you’d like to take some notes and pictures of your visit, so they won’t think it’s rude when you do so. When you and your student take notes about the tour, include how you feel, what the weather is like, and any favorite things about the college. Specific details will make it easier to recall your experience when you compare multiple colleges to one another.

As an Independent Educational Consultant, my role also includes visiting campuses and sharing my first-hand experience with my clients. To help me advise students, I visit colleges across the country on a regular basis. Students who work with Potential Path receive guidance in exploring thousands of colleges and universities in the United States. Here’s a list of schools I have toured recently.