Applying to College: Log On, Get In
Applying to college has become an increasingly demanding and arduous task. With students more qualified than ever, the chances of admission have slimmed across the board; rigorous advanced research and preparation are increasingly important. Since you're probably planning to apply online, why not also use Internet resources to familiarize yourself with the process before you start? Then, use the Web to figure out where to apply and how to make your application as strong as it can be. For a Spanish-language version of the Guide, click here.
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Expand All Guide SectionsSteps in the application process
The college application process is a multi-step affair with many deadlines and due dates that can ... read more »
Choosing the right college or university
If you're not sure what exactly you want out of college, these sites can help make the choice ... read more »
College application and entrance essay tips
Getting your applications complete and turned in on time is a huge accomplishment. Making sure that ... read more »
Preparing for the SAT or ACT
Most colleges require that you take a standardized test and submit your scores with your application. But before you get too stressed out over the unavoidable, take a look at these Web sites. They'll give you some testing tips to put your mind at ease and help improve your test scores. Everybody is in the same boat with this process, and not everyone is a star test-taker—even some stellar students struggle with standardized testing.
Dulcinea's Insight
- SAT originally stood for Scholastic Aptitude Test, but the name of the test has been officially changed to SAT and is thus no longer an abbreviation. Similarly, ACT used to be an acronym for American College Test but is now the official name of the test.
- Before you go and sign up for every test from now until the time you enter college, know that when colleges receive your test scores, they'll see the scores from every test you've taken. Most colleges won't mind if you take the test a second time, but a good score looks a lot less impressive if you had to take the test four or five times to get it.
- Find out which test you need to take from your school's college counselor. You may be qualified for the ACT, which is a slightly different type of test than the SAT. In addition, you may have to take the subject-specific SAT II for a number of topics, and your counselor will know when your school's official test dates are. If you don't have a college counselor, call the Admissions offices of the school you're applying to for more information.
- You can buy books full of SAT sample tests, which are a helpful way to practice on your own. These tests are formulaic—once you know what to expect, they are a lot easier. Practice as much as you can in a real-life context (which is why using books can be better than practicing online), so that you'll be calm and ready on the day of the official test. Some of the most popular test-prep books include The Princeton Review's SAT and ACT, Kaplan's SAT and ACT, Barron's SAT and ACT, and Gruber's SAT.
- One way to prepare for the SAT is to take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) administered by the College Board. To learn more about what's on the test and how to register, visit the College Board's PSAT page.
Dulcinea's Picks
The College Board
administers the SAT; on this site you can find dates and locations and register for the test. Use the "SAT Preparation Center" to take a practice SAT and get other helpful test-taking tips. If you are a student with a disability, take a look at the "Services for Students With Disabilities" page to see what accommodations may be available to you when taking the SAT.
The ACT
lets you register for the test online. Try some of the practice tests before the big day to see explanations of correct and incorrect answers before you take the real thing. This site also has resources for students with disabilities who are taking the ACT.
© 2009 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
