College Prep

Getting ready for college can be a challenge. Here is some information to help you prepare for taking the SAT, research colleges, scholarships and financial aid, and much more.

2012 Testing Dates and Locations

SAT

• Test date is Jan 28.  Register by Dec 30.
• Test date is Mar 10.  Register by Feb 10.
• Test date is May 5.  Register by Apr 6.
• Test date is June 2.  Register by May 8.
• For more information and to register, visit the College Board SAT site.

PSAT

• Register with your high school counselor.
• Test date is either October 12 or 15, depending on your school. 
• For more information, visit the College Board PSAT site.

ACT

• Test date is Feb 11.  Register by Jan 13.
• Test date is Apr 14.  Register by Mar 9.
• Test date is June 9.  Register by May 4.
• For more information and to register, visit the ACT site.

Helpful Websites

Comprehensive sites

• CollegeAnswer – General information about colleges and financial aid
• Virginia Mentor and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia– Explore Virginia colleges
• Peterson’s Guide to Colleges – Search for colleges by state or major and get guidance on how to choose a college

Test prep

• Number2 – Free online SAT, GRE and ACT test prep
• Essays that Worked – Samples of successful college entrance essays

Financial aid

• Federal Student Aid – Apply for federal student aid online
• Virginia Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators – Find out about resources available for college-bound students in Virginia
• FinAid.org  - Comprehensive information on college financial aid opportunities

College life

• First in the Family – Information for students who are the first in their families to go to college
• Making College Count – Information written by students about making the transition to college
• Is a Historically Black College Right For You? – An article from The Princeton Review

Careers

• The Occupational Outlook Handbook – Find out more about the training and education needed, earnings potential and much more for hundreds of different careers.