4 Great Websites and Resources for College Admission

The journey can feel overwhelming when it comes to preparing your high schooler for the college admissions process. The abundance of information makes it difficult to know which reliable and helpful tools and resources. As a parent, you want to ensure your child uses the right resources to make informed decisions about their college future. 

Below are four essential websites and tools to help simplify the process and provide your family with the information needed to prepare for college admissions successfully. These resources are user-friendly, thorough, and effective. Whether your child is a senior on the brink of submitting applications or a freshman just starting to explore their options, these tools can be a game-changer.

1. College Board’s BigFuture : More Than Just the SAT

When you think of the College Board, your mind goes straight to the SAT. However, the College Board offers much more than standardized testing. Its BigFuture platform is one of the most comprehensive college planning resources available, providing vital tools for researching colleges, scholarships, and financial aid opportunities. 

BigFuture helps your child explore colleges and universities based on personal preferences like location, major, cost, and campus life. The platform also includes a step-by-step college planning checklist, which ensures your child stays on top of deadlines and key tasks, such as requesting recommendation letters, preparing for interviews, and submitting financial aid applications.

One of the most valuable aspects of BigFuture is the scholarship search tool. With college costs rising, scholarships play a key role in reducing the financial burden on families. BigFuture’s scholarship search tool compiles thousands of scholarship opportunities tailored to your child’s unique profile, from academic achievements to extracurricular activities. 

Pro Tip: Encourage your child to create an account on the College Board’s website as early as possible. This will allow them to explore college options, keep track of deadlines, and access personalized scholarships and financial aid recommendations.

2. SCOIR or Naviance: Your School’s Digital College Counselor

In today's digital age, many schools rely on tools like SCOIR and Naviance to assist students in managing their college application process. These platforms are invaluable, not only for students but also for parents looking to stay involved in their child’s college journey.

SCOIR and Naviance act as centralized hubs for everything related to college admissions, from tracking deadlines to sending official documents such as transcripts and letters of recommendation for your school. If your school uses either of these tools, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with them. Here’s why:

- School Data Integration: These platforms provide valuable insights by pulling historical data from your child’s school. For example, you can see the acceptance rates of previous students who applied to the same colleges your child is interested in.

- Teacher Recommendations: SCOIR and Naviance streamline the process of requesting and submitting recommendation letters, making it easy for teachers to send these documents directly to colleges.

- Parent & Student Collaboration: These platforms allow you and your child to monitor the progress of their college applications. You can track which documents have been submitted and what tasks are still outstanding.

 If your school uses SCOIR or Naviance, request access from the college counseling office. Staying in the loop will help you support your child through this important phase. 

Pro Tip: Ask your school’s college counselor if they offer training or information sessions on using SCOIR or Naviance. These sessions can help you and your child maximize the benefits of these tools.

3. ACT’s MyACT Platform: Beyond College Admissions Tests

Like the College Board, the ACT organization offers much more than its well-known standardized test. The MyACT platform is essential for students navigating the college admissions process. It’s similar to BigFuture in providing college search tools, career exploration resources, and scholarship information. 

MyACT also offers personalized score reports that highlight areas of strength and weakness. This feature can help your child identify what academic areas to improve before submitting college applications. Additionally, the platform offers college readiness advice tailored to each student based on their ACT performance.

Another valuable feature of MyACT is its career planning section. This allows students to explore various career paths and match their academic strengths and interests to potential careers. This feature is especially helpful for students who are still deciding what they want to major in or what career they want to pursue.

4. Niche: A Comprehensive College Search and Review Platform

Another excellent resource for college-bound students is Niche (formerly known as College Prowler). Niche provides detailed reviews and rankings of thousands of colleges and universities nationwide. The platform pulls data from various sources, including student reviews, academic outcomes, and campus statistics, giving you a well-rounded picture of each institution.

Niche's unique combination of objective data and subjective reviews sets it apart. Students and parents alike can benefit from reading reviews by current students, which offer insights into campus life. From dorm quality to the dining hall experience, these reviews can give your child a glimpse into what it would be like to attend a specific school. 

Niche also offers a scholarship search tool and college admissions calculator. This calculator allows students to input their academic information (such as GPA and standardized test scores) and receive an estimate of their chances of being accepted into their desired schools. The platform uses AI-driven technology to provide personalized college recommendations based on your child’s academic profile and preferences.

Pro Tip: Encourage your child to use Niche not only for researching colleges but also for finding scholarship opportunities and estimating their chances of admission. The more information they have, the better equipped they will be to make informed decisions.

Remember You Have to Set Your Child Up for College Success

The college admissions process can be daunting, but with the right tools and resources, your child will be well-prepared to make informed decisions. The four websites mentioned above—College Board’s BigFuture, SCOIR or Naviance, Niche, and MyACT—are indispensable resources for any family navigating the college admissions journey. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure about the next steps, don’t hesitate to seek guidance. At Strategic Admissions Advice, we offer personalized support for families at every stage of the college admissions process. From crafting a college list to perfecting application essays, we’re here to help.

Before you close this email, schedule a free Discovery Call with Strategic Admissions Advice today and let us help your family take the stress out of college admissions. Our expert guidance will ensure your child is on the path to success. Visit www.callwithsaa.com to book your session now.