University bound

College-going/career resources for students

Choosing a college can be a daunting process for both students and parents, but the most important step is to inform yourself before making a decision. Start early!

Here are some college resources to help you:

• College Admission Glossary
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Before filling out FAFSA, you must create a Federal Student Aid ID
• Testing:
  • Juniors are encouraged to sign up for the PSAT/NMSQT (offered only in October), but can also take informal practice tests on a more flexible schedule. Practice tests are included in the link above. Juniors are encouraged to take the ACT in the Spring and are also strongly encouraged to register for the SAT in March, April, or May.
  • Seniors who have not taken (or did not score well on) the ACT or SAT by the fall of their senior year should register and take the exam as soon as possible, so their scores can be recorded and they can provide them on college applications. Practice tests are available on the College Board website.
  • Students with disabilities can request accommodations for the PSAT/NMSQT and SAT – working with your school to accomplish this is the best way to get College Board approval. The request for accommodations for the ACT can be found here.
  • College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) was created to help individuals with prior knowledge in a college course subject earn their degree efficiently and inexpensively. That prior learning could have taken place through advanced high school courses, independent reading, and study, online course-ware or textbooks, non-credit courses, or on-the-job training.
• Scholarships and grants
• College search engines 
• https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search 
• https://www.petersons.com/college-search.aspx 
• https://www.princetonreview.com/college-search 
• https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/college-search 
• Taking college courses before high school graduation
• Requesting ASU Prep transcripts

Career planning

The following resources can help students discover and explore their future careers:

• me3: Arizona State University designed a fun and interactive online game called me3 – try me3 here – to empower students to discover their future career and plan the high school through college activities needed to achieve that career.
• Arizona Career Information System (AZCIS): AZCIS has a questionnaire to help students learn more about themselves and occupations that might be interesting. It teaches occupation descriptions to learn more about what people do at work and helps identify programs of study and the schools that offer them.
• Career Pathways: ASU Prep Digital has a career pathways list with corresponding university degree areas and tips for how to earn those university credits before high school graduation.

Volunteering
Volunteering is an excellent way to gain experience for a chosen career field, and it also helps provide well-rounded experiences that are crucial for students in our global society. The below links are not intended to be an exhaustive list – please use proper judgment when visiting the below links:

• HandsOn Greater Phoenix
• Amnesty International
• Habitat for Humanity
• Reading is Fundamental / Literacy Network
• The Humane Society of the United States
• The American Red Cross
• The National Park Service
• VolunteerMatch
• Goodwill International
• 50 other ideas for teen community service

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