Standardized Tests

• SAT and Subject Tests
  • http://www.collegeboard.com/
• ACT
  • http://www.act.org/
• Standardized Testing Optional Colleges and Universities
  • http://www.fairtest.org/

Summer Programs

• http://www.petersons.com/summerop/code/ssector.asp - Peterson’s provides a searchable database for summer camps and programs
•  http://www.enrichmentalley.com/- Enrichment Alley also provides a searchable database for summer programs.
• http://www.andover.edu/Academics/CollegeCounseling/InterimPrograms/ - Phillips Academy provides an extensive list of summer programs on its website.

College Search Tools
Begin the College Search
http://connection.naviance.com/germantownacad -
Access GA’s Family Connection Account to search for colleges

• http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ - the US Department of Education sponsors this comprehensive searchable database, which makes for a great starting point for the college search
• http://www.collegeboard.com/
• http://www.collegenet.com/
• http://www.petersons.com/
• http://www.review.com/
• http://www.schoolsintheusa.com/
• http://www.students.gov/
• http://www.collegeprowler.com/
• http://www.collegeportraits.org/
• http://www.ucan-network.org/ - makes comparing colleges easy with data such as percent of students admitted and graduation rates laid out in an easy to read format

Refine your College List

• College Results Online http://www.collegeresults.org/ allows you to:
  • Examine overall graduation rates and see how those rates have changed over time
  • Learn about universities' records graduating diverse groups of students
  • Compare the graduation rates of similar institutions - colleges and universities that share many characteristics and serve similar student populations

• National Survey of Student Engagement

http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/nsse.htm
The National Survey of Student Engagement(NSSE) is designed to obtain, on an annual basis, information from scores of colleges and universities nationwide about student participation in programs and activities that institutions provide for their learning and personal development. The results will provide an estimate of how undergraduates spend their time and what they gain from attending college. While results from individual colleges are not posted, this website offers a terrific pocket guide containing the best questions to ask when visiting and researching colleges.

• Colleges of Distinction

http://www.collegesofdistinction.com/
Colleges of Distinction highlights colleges that have the following characteristics:

• Engaged Students - recruiting and keeping students who want to be engaged
• Great Teaching - excellence in teaching undergraduates is a primary mission
• Vibrant Communities - residential campuses offering many opportunities for student development
• Successful Outcomes - a consistent record of satisfied alumni who excel in their chosen fields.

• Colleges that Change Lives http://www.ctcl.com/index.php
• Based on the book by Loren Pope, this website highlights 40 colleges “that change lives” and provides great questions for the college search.
• http://www.ctcl.com/ctcl_myths.html
• Who Needs Harvard? Article from the Atlantic Monthly and the Brookings Institute
  http://www.brookings.edu/views/articles/20040902easterbrook.htm

College Matchmaking

• http://www.cappex.com/
• http://www.zinch.com/

Research the Campus Culture

Colleges have personalities. Visiting the campus will provide the greatest insight into a college’s personality. These resources will help as well.

• http://www.collegeresults.org/ - provides graduation rates
• http://collegeprowler.com/ - provides student reviews
• http://www.studentsreview.com/ - provides anecdotal student reviews
• Student Newspapers - http://www.collegenews.com/
• Jewish Life - www.hillel.org and http://www.jewish.com/page.php?do=page&cat_id=152
• Greek Life - http://www.greekpages.com/
• Gay and Lesbian Life - http://www.princetonreview.com/college/research/asklm/glbt.asp
• Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities - http://www.hacu.net/hacu/College_Search_EN.asp?SnID=261375485
• Historically Black Colleges and Universities - www.edonline.com/cq/hbcu/
• Top 50 Colleges for Black Students - www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0771723.html
• Video Walking Tours of Campuses (ideal for students who absolutely cannot visit a campus)- http://www.collegiatechoice.com/
• Virtual Campus Tours -
  http://www.campustours.com/
  http://www.youniversitytv.com/youlife/index.home.php