COLLEGE ADVISORY RESOURCES

KC SCHOLARS COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINES

COLLEGE PLANNING AND ADMISSIONS APPLICATION RESOURCES

Choosing a college and a major is an important decision and there are many factors to consider when determining which school is the best fit.

KC Scholars has compiled the following list of resources to help students and parents navigate the college planning and college application process.

College Planning

ACT College Planning Guide – A comprehensive guide to planning and preparing for college

Khan Academy’s College Planning Guide – Videos answering common questions about planning for college

College Navigator – A free tool to help students explore colleges and universities based on majors offered, location, graduation rates, cost of attendance and more

College Comparison Tool – College Board’s tool helps students create a side-by-side comparison of various colleges, based on cost, population, average ACT/GPA and more

College Admissions

Anatomy of a College Application – An overview of the most common requirements of a college application

Khan Academy’s College Admissions Guide – Videos and resources explaining the various steps of the college admissions process

College Planning for Parents

College Board Guide for Parents – Action plans for parents to help their child prepare for college; also available en español

Preparing Your Child for College – Tools and resources to help parents prepare their children for college

College 101 for Parents – A guide to common questions parents may have about their child’s college future

Family Firsts, Parent Version – Helpful resources specifically for parents of first-generation college students; also available en español

Campus Visits and College Fairs

Campus Visit Guide – Helpful tips and resources for preparing for a campus visit

College Fair Checklist – Tips and suggestions for navigating college fairs

ACT PREP RESOURCES

Many colleges and universities require students to complete the ACT to be considered for admission or scholarships.

A higher ACT score improves a student’s chances to be accepted to an institution and/or to receive additional funding to attend that institution. KC Scholars has compiled a list of websites to help students study and prepare for this important exam.

ACT General Info

Official ACT Website – Information about ACT registration, test prep, scores and more

Admission Test Myths and Facts – Learn the facts and fiction about college entrance exams

ACT Fees & Fee Waivers – Learn more about ACT fees and see if you’re eligible for a fee waiver

Local Test Prep Resources

Urban League of Kansas City – ULKC offers a college and career readiness training program with free ACT prep courses for disadvantaged students across the KC metro area

In-Person ACT Practice Exams – Take a free ACT practice exam under realistic testing conditions with Princeton Review

Online Test Prep Resources

ACT.org Free Test Prep – Free study guides, practice tests and questions of the day

Quesbook – Free test prep and practice exams customized based on your performance on assessment tests

Varsity Tutors ACT Prep Guide – Free downloadable e-book with exam tips and 800+ practice questions

Test Taking Strategies

ACT Official Test Day Guide – List of items to bring and procedures to follow on the day of your exam

Week-Of ACT Study Guide – Last-minute tips and tricks to use the week before the ACT

PreACT

Official Pre-ACT Website – Information about the Pre-ACT exam for high school sophomores

CAREER EXPLORATION RESOURCES

Choosing a college major that aligns with future career goals is an important step in the college planning process.

KC Scholars has compiled a list of resources to help students explore career options that fit best with their skills and interests, and to find college majors to prepare them for their chosen career field.

College Majors & Career Paths

My Majors – An interactive website that allows students to assess and explore college & career options

Major & Career Search – Search for information about various careers, the majors related to those careers, and steps students can take in high school to prepare for their chosen career path

My Next Move – An interactive tool for students to learn more about the skills, tasks, salaries, and employment outlook of their future careers; also available en español

Career Exploration

Find Your Perfect Career – A summary of the top five high-demand industry sectors in the greater Kansas City area, including related majors/degree programs, career options, salary, and hiring outlook

Hire KC Youth – Hire KC Youth connects students with jobs and internships and provides events and resources to develop key job-readiness skills

Exploring KC – Exploring offers extracurricular career education programs and provides real-world career experiences and leadership development opportunities for youth ages 14 to 21

TEACH Kansas City – TEACH Kansas City provides surveys and resources to help high school and college students explore teaching pathways