College & Careers

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High School Preparation
Mapping Your Future -- This is a good place to start thinking about college. This site discusses the steps necessary to prepare for college and what to consider for each step.  Tab for Middle and High School Students lists steps appropriate for each grade. Parents Tab offers steps for parents to help prepare.  Includes Internet links to related sites. It is divided into three major steps:

• Planning a Career – steps for choosing a career plan
• Selecting a College – characteristics to look for
• Paying for College – options for paying for college

Next Step Magazine -- The Next Step Magazine is an objective guide that helps high school juniors and seniors explore potential careers, research collegiate options and make educated decisions about their futures.
Recommended High School Program -- Lists the courses recommended for high school students planning on attending college.  This site also includes a section on Preparing for College with tips for students in each grade of high school.
Department of Education  -- A central source for information on preparing for college.  See the section entitled “Helping my child prepare and pay for college” under “Parents and Families.”
The Higher Education Coordinating Board  -- Provides information about TASP which tests if a student is prepared academically for college.
TEA Student Assessment Division -- Information is available on TAKS. Site includes downloadable PDF files of booklets for each test with sample questions.

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Standardized Tests
ACT -- Sign up for ACT tests and receive scores online. Provides sample test questions.
College Board -- A highly recommended resource. College Board administers the SAT and AP testing so the site has all the information on tests: dates, locations, etc. and provides for online registration and viewing of scores.   Also provides sections on:

• Planning for College – Great articles on making the most out of high school, choosing a major, and researching careers
• Finding the Right College – Answers all the students questions about finding the right college
• Getting Into College – Covers college application process including essay writing
• Paying for College – Covers calculating college costs, college scholarships, and loans

College Prep Checklist -- A great checklist in preparing for college provided by Federal Student Aid.

Federal Aid -- Publications in English & Spanish about Federal Aid money that is available for students of all ages and ethnicities that are a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen.

Peterson’s -- Renowned source for college information with ability to search by major, location, tuition costs, size, and much more.  Contains practice tests for ACT and SAT with tips and strategies for success
The Princeton Review -- A resource with many interactive forms for finding colleges. Some of the sections on this site include:

• Explore Schools – Use Conselor-O-Matic to find colleges that match your choices
• Majors & Careers – Search for majors and see related careers, Career Assessment Quiz
• Admission Test Information – Test dates and locations, expected changes, free practice tests, fee-based courses
• Online Applications – Apply for college online
• Financial Aid – Scholarship search, basic information, “Estimated Family Contribution Calculator”

Student Aid -- Provides overview of student aid application and has several publications and other helpful resources.

Study Point -- A website that features practice tests for PSAT and ACT and also has university profiles.

Learn-a-Test -- A service provided to Longview Public Library patrons.  It provides access to a number of practice tests.  Study for the SAT or ACT, prepare for AP exams, practice LSAT or GRE, or take the ASVAB test.  Take as many tests as you like as often as you like.  Your library card number is your password.

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Select a Career Plan
Connecting Personality Types with Careers and Jobs  -- This page lists careers by the four-letter code from the Keirsey Temperament Sorter.
Keirsey Temperament Sorter II -- Take the #1 online personality assessment. Designed for career and personal development, it is used by Fortune 500 companies, professional counselors, and major universities.
Mind Your Own Business -- Small Business Association and Junior Achievement have joined together to provide information on owning and operating your own business.
Occupational Outlook Handbook -- Authoritative source for information on occupations, employment statistics, and job trends.
Indeed -- This is a complimentary and comprehensive search engine for jobs that provides the latest job opportunities in and around Longview.

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Choose a College
College Express -- Register for free access.  Good advice in the “Admissions Advice” Section.  Tips on writing the application essay can be found in the Information Category “Getting There.”

• College Express – Select a college based upon preferences, find information on college admissions and apply online, estimate costs of education, search for scholarships, parent information, student bulletin board for asking questions
• Absolutely Scholarships – Fill out a form to search for scholarships,
• Student Loans – Loan search

College for Texans -- Everything a Texan needs to know about preparing for college.  Sections include:

• Preparing for College – Information on Recommended High School Program and a link to GearUP Texas for more information and links to other sites.
• Applying for College – Choosing a college, College Matcher, Texas Common Application Form
• Paying for College – Average costs, reducing costs, applying for Financial Aid, tax information
• Getting Through College – Guides to help the student succeed in college
• Career Planning – Choosing a career, resume writing, jobs in Texas
• Military in Texas – For people in the military seeking to enter college
• FAFSA – Link to FAFSA to fill out the form online.
• Texas Grant – Provides information about the Texas Grant program

College Opportunities Online --Direct link to over 9,000 colleges online. You can search for a college based on its location, program, or degree offerings either alone or in combination. The more criteria you specify, the smaller the number of colleges that will fit your criteria.
University of Texas Bachelor's Accelerated Completion Program -- The University of Texas System is pleased to offer the Bachelor’s Accelerated Completion program – the BAC – a group of fully online bachelor’s degrees. Courses are either seven or eight weeks long. You’ll be learning from expert UT faculty and your diploma will come from an accredited UT institution.
USNews Conquer College Admissions in Five Steps (requires $9.95) -- Lists of the top colleges by a variety of criteria. Learn how to prepare for college, select a college, submit applications, find money, and get started in college. Links to Campbell Interest and Skills Survey, Advanced College Search, and GPA calculator.

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 Funding College
FAFSA  -- Online registration for the FAFSA: Free Application for Student Aid.  Before applying online, it is necessary to sign up for a PIN at http://www.pin.ed.gov.
Fastweb -- Two sections: Scholarship search and College search. 
College Board's Pay for College
College for Texans Paying for College 
College Athletic Scholarships -- All the information student-athletes need to maximize their opportunities to compete in college sports and/or be offered athletic scholarships.
Colleges, College Scholarships, and Financial Aid Page  -- This page is designed to offer college bound students, parents, and counselors easy access to information on:

• free college scholarship and financial aid searches 
• SAT and ACT test preparation tips
• Colleges and universities throughout the United States

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