Resources
Resources
A curated collection of tools and information to help you navigate the college search and application process.
College Research
Guides & Search Tools
Big Future (College Board) — comprehensive college search with filters for size, location, majors, and more
College Navigator — federal database with enrollment, costs, and graduation rates
Niche — student reviews and rankings by category
College Scorecard — U.S. Dept. of Education data on costs and outcomes
Colleges That Change Lives — 40 schools known for transformative undergraduate experiences
Fiske Guide to Colleges — detailed profiles with honest assessments (book)
Virtual Tours
Campus Reel — video tours made by current students
CampusTours — virtual tours and interactive maps
For Specific Interests
Hillel College Guide — find schools with Jewish campus life
The Women's College Coalition — directory of women's colleges
College Newspapers — links to student papers—a window into campus culture
For Student Athletes
NCAA Eligibility Center — D1 and D2 registration and requirements
NAIA Eligibility Center — for students interested in NAIA athletics
Studying Abroad
Study UK — British Council guide to UK universities
Financial Aid
Applications
FAFSA — federal financial aid application—required by most schools
CSS Profile — additional form required by many private colleges
Research & Planning
NACAC Paying for College — guides to understanding financial aid
TuitionFit — real cost data from families who've been through it
FinAid — calculators and information on loans, scholarships, and aid
Fastweb — scholarship search database
College Board Scholarship Search — searchable scholarship database
Regional Programs
Academic Common Market — reduced tuition for out-of-state programs in the South
Western Undergraduate Exchange — discounted tuition at 160+ schools in western states
HESAA (NJ Financial Aid) — New Jersey state grants and aid programs
Standardized Testing
SAT (College Board) — registration, scores, and practice
ACT — registration, scores, and test information
Khan Academy SAT Prep — free, personalized practice
FairTest — list of test-optional schools
Applications
Common App — accepted by 1,000+ schools
Coalition App — alternative application platform
ApplyTexas — for Texas public universities
UC Application — for University of California schools
UCAS — for UK universities
Essays
College Essay Guy — free guides and exercises for brainstorming and writing
Learning Differences & Neurodiversity
These resources focus on supporting students with learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and other learning differences.
College Planning
LD Advisory — Elizabeth Hamblet's resources on college transition for students with disabilities
Think College — resources for students with intellectual disabilities
Information & Support
Understood — guides for learning and attention issues
ADDitude Magazine — strategies for ADHD in school and life
Learning Disabilities Association of America — advocacy and resources
Autism Goes to College — guidance for students on the spectrum
Testing Accommodations
College Board Accommodations — how to request SAT accommodations
ACT Accommodations — ACT testing accommodations information
Specialized Programs
ABET — accredited engineering and computer science programs
Gap Year Association — vetted gap year programs
Blogs & News Worth Following
Jeff Selingo — author of Who Gets In and Why—smart takes on admissions trends
Rick Clark (Georgia Tech) — honest insights from an admissions dean
UVA Admissions Blog — Dean J's advice for applicants
Inside Higher Ed — higher education news
Recommended Reading
Who Gets In and Why by Jeff Selingo — behind-the-scenes look at how admissions really works
Dream School by Jeff Selingo — practical guide to finding the right college fit
The Price You Pay for College by Ron Lieber — essential guide to understanding financial aid and making smart decisions
Fiske Guide to Colleges — honest, detailed college profiles updated annually
Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope — profiles of 40 schools that prioritize teaching and transformation
Campus Climate & Policy
For students who want to understand the political and policy environment at different schools:
Campus Political Diversity Data — FIRE's resources on campus free speech
State Abortion Policy Map — Guttmacher Institute state-by-state policies
Giffords Gun Law Scorecard — state gun safety law ratings
Movement Advancement Project — LGBTQ+ policy tracking by state
Mental Health & Wellbeing
NAMI — National Alliance on Mental Illness resources
JED Foundation — mental health resources for teens and young adults
For Jewish Students
Hillel International — find Jewish life on campus
ADL — resources on antisemitism and campus climate