Take Advantage of the Resources Available
- Sep 26, 2017
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
The annual NACAC conference was held in Boston, MA, with a combination of 7,700 independent, secondary and post-secondary college admission counseling professionals. They provided an Access College Fair (ACF) and Counselors' College Fair (CCF) that hosted 550 regionally accredited colleges and universities, giving counselors a one-stop networking opportunity. What a great way to stay connected and up to date on industry trends, exchange ideas, and to hear from the experts.
The overriding theme flowing through the conference was the need to ensure that every student is given the opportunity to attend college or gain higher education.
Each year, bright and capable students miss out on higher education opportunities simply because they do not know what steps to take next. For many students, college feels confusing, expensive, or out of reach. They may assume their family cannot afford it, that they are not qualified, or that they have already missed important deadlines.
In reality, students often have more options than they realize.
Some colleges meet the full demonstrated financial need of admitted students through a combination of grants, scholarships, work-study, and, in some cases, federal student loans. Other colleges offer strong merit scholarships, honors programs, or special opportunities that can make college more affordable. The key is knowing where to look, what questions to ask, and how to build a thoughtful college list.
Students also have access to many free resources that can help them prepare for the college process. Tools such as Khan Academy, BigFuture, college websites, net price calculators, and school counseling resources can help students research colleges, prepare for standardized tests, understand admissions requirements, and learn more about financial aid.
But even with helpful resources available, the college process can still feel overwhelming. That is why meeting with a counselor can make such a difference. Whether a student works with a school counselor or an independent educational consultant, having someone to ask questions, explain options, and help organize the process can take away much of the uncertainty. Counselors can help students understand timelines, explore colleges that may be a good fit, review application requirements, and think more carefully about academic, social, and financial fit.
The goal is not just to help students get into college. The goal is to help students find the right college path for who they are, what they need, and where they hope to go.
Students should take time to use the resources available to them, ask questions early, and seek guidance throughout the process. With the right information and support, college can become less intimidating and much more possible.
Some Free Resources
These free resources can be a helpful starting point:
Khan Academy and BlueBook for SAT preparation and academic support
ACT Academy for ACT practice and preparation
BigFuture by College Board for college search, career exploration, and scholarship information
FAFSA.gov for federal financial aid information and application access
College Net Price Calculators to estimate possible college costs
College admissions and financial aid websites for deadlines, requirements, scholarships, and program details
Counselors for course planning, transcript questions, application planning and support, and local scholarship information
Final Thought
College planning is not about finding one perfect school. It is about helping each student understand their options, make informed choices, and move forward with confidence.
If your student is unsure where to begin, scheduling time with a counselor can be a valuable first step toward creating a clear and realistic college plan.
Written by Majella McNamara, UCLA-Certified College Counselor, Guide2College LLC
