Test 75's
College & Career Library
2023-2024
Majors
3 items
1. Thinking About College Majors
2. Advice for Undecided Majors
3. Picking Senior Year Classes with Intended Major in Mind
Return on Investment
3 items
1. The Value of a College Degree
2. ROI
3. How Much Do Brand Name Schools Matter?
Extracurricular Activities
3 items
1. The Activities Section
2. High School Jobs and Internships
3. FAQ: Extracurricular Activities
Student Loans
3 items
1. Student Loans 101: Part A
2. Student Loans 101: Part B
3. How Much to Borrow
Scholarships
4 items
1. Scholarships
2. Scholarship Options
3. Scholarships Through Extracurriculars
4. Scholarships: How to Say Yes to Free Money
SWAG: College Close Ups
24 items
1. SWAG from Tulane University
2. SWAG from UC Berkeley
3. SWAG from Union College
4. SWAG from University of Florida
5. SWAG from Bates College
6. SWAG from The Ohio State University
7. SWAG from University of Richmond
8. SWAG from University of Vermont
9. SWAG from University of San Francisco
10. SWAG from Cornell University
11. SWAG from Ohio Wesleyan University
12. SWAG from Amherst College
13. SWAG from Davidson College
14. SWAG from Bucknell University
15. SWAG from Hobart and William Smith Colleges
16. SWAG from Carnegie Mellon University
17. SWAG from Bowdoin College
18. SWAG from Marquette University
19. SWAG from Florida International University
20. SWAG from University of Connecticut
21. SWAG from University of Pennsylvania
22. SWAG from Temple University
23. SWAG from Middlebury College
24. SWAG from Rutgers University
Standardized Testing
3 items
1. SAT or ACT
2. Understanding Test-Optional and Other Policies
3. Registration and Fee Waivers for the SAT/ACT
College Visits
3 items
1. Questions to Ask Colleges
2. Campus Visits and Demonstrated Interest
3. College Visit Kit
Types of Schools
6 items
1. Public Colleges
2. Private Colleges
3. A Closer Look at Community Colleges
4. HBCU
5. Liberal Arts
6. STEM
Building a List
4 items
1. How should students start researching colleges?
2. Creating a College List
3. Tailoring a College List to Your Needs
4. How to Start Your College List
Playlists
SWAG from Florida International University
10:41
Director of University Admissions Jody Glassman provides insight about Florida International University and offers some myths and realities about college admissions.
Investing in Your Future: The Return on College
52:39
Short of buying a house, where to attend college is the most expensive decision most students will make in their lifetime. With ballooning costs and the question of how much of student loan debt is reasonable, applicants and their families are increasingly focussed on return on investment.
This interactive Q&A will:
- Explain the nuances of ROI as well as its limitations
- Explore key findings of the Georgetown CEW report which ranked 4,500 colleges and universities by ROI
- Discuss how the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard can help families make fiscally responsible decisions
Big Picture Overview: Dos and Don'ts as You Chart Your Path to College
56:21
Experts: Heather Ayres, independent counselor; Rebecca Barr, Education First; Annabel Hughes, Boston Univ. student; Candice Mackey, Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies; Sabrina Manville, Edmit; Rehan Yadav, Rutgers Univ. student
Juniors, this is your journey. Chart your path and gain an edge by learning the most important parts of the admissions process and separating fact from fiction.
Sal Khan and Angela Duckworth on Careers
2:00
Vice Provost for Admissions, Financial Aid & Enrollment Management Shawn L. Abbott provides insight about Temple University and offers some myths and realities about college admissions.
SWAG from Middlebury College
14:43
Dean of Admissions Nicole Curvin provides insight about Middlebury College and offers some myths and realities about college admissions.
Discussing Finances at the Start of the College Search
4:37
It's never too early to discuss your family's financial approach to college. Doing so minimizes the risk of disappointment and heartbreak at decision time.
FAFSA Student Section
10:15
From CGN partner OnTrack.
A detailed, step-by-step look at how to fill out the student section of the FAFSA.
How Much Do Brand Name Schools Matter?
2:27
Experts: Mark Kantrowitz, Cerebly, Inc; Robert Kelchen, formerly of Seton Hall University.
Some fields place an emphasis on prestigious schools - others do not. The same goes for graduate school applicants. Learn more about how you should evaluate this expensive decision with a focus on where you want to go after graduation.
Student Loans 101: Part B
8:17
VP for Admissions and Financial Aid Matt Malatesta provides insight about Union College and offers some myths and realities about college admissions.
SWAG from Carnegie Mellon University
11:45
Associate Dean and Director of Admission Greg Edleman provides insight about Carnegie Mellon University and offers some myths and realities about college admissions.
Videos
Tell Your Story: Crafting Great College Admissions Essays
6 pages
Your college essay is an important part of the entire package you will submit to colleges to give a sense of who you are and what you might contribute to a campus community. It’s an opportunity for you to tell your story in your own words. What inspires you? What drives you? You may be asked to write multiple essays, including a Personal Statement and Supplemental Essays. Let’s dig in with key guidance, resources, helpful terms, and advice to parents.
College Visit Kit
16 pages
Save time and stay organized with CGN’s College Visit Kit.
Here’s what’s included:
Tip Sheet (our top tips for planning and making the most of your visit)
College Clusters (a list of colleges organized by location and size, so you can
easily find schools to visit no matter where you’re going)
The Right Questions (questions to ask your tour guide to get the info you can’t find on the website)
College Visit Overview (a sheet to bring with you on your visit to keep track of important information)
My College Comparison Tool (a Google Sheets template that will help you track, organize, and compare all the schools you visit)
How to Start Your College List
7 pages
Resources, data and an action plan to help students create a balanced list of schools.
Scholarships: How to Say Yes to Free Money
3 pages
Learn about the different types of scholarships and the dos and don'ts of applying for them.
Future-Ready: Starting to Bring Your Career into Focus
8 pages
Key guidance and resources to conduct a career-focussed college search.
Money Matters: College Affordability & Financial Aid
7 pages
Earning a college degree is a life-changing opportunity and a significant family expense. This toolkit offers guidance/actions, helpful terms, and tips on how to talk about college financing.
How to Land a Job Companion Resource
8 pages
Companion resource to "How to Land a Job"
Watch the event recording here: https://www.library.collegeguidancenetwork.com/library/resources/video/20319533-8fda-40ff-81fe-46de9a7b2588
The "Best" Rankings Webinar Ever Companion Resource
1 page
Companion resource for The "Best" Rankings Webinar Ever. Watch the recording here: https://www.library.collegeguidancenetwork.com/library/resources/video/66c5c721-7a22-420a-86d2-d77b7d4f947f
What's Your Idea of a Great Job Toolkit
6 pages
Companion resource for "CGN Live: Career -- What's Your Idea of a Great Job?" including role models vs. mentors, what to consider to find a job that's right for you, and recommended resources.
Watch the event recording here: https://www.library.collegeguidancenetwork.com/library/resources/video/80effed9-a8a1-4709-b6cb-6464d7f92748
Make the Summer Work for You Toolkit
8 pages
Companion resource for "CGN Live: Career -- Make the Summer Work for You" including resources for conducting internet searches, tips for networking in your community, businesses that hire summer students, and options to consider for your summer.
PDF Toolkits
College Kickoff, Part 2
56:05
At this stage of the journey, 11th graders and their supporters are often a combination of excited and intimidated by the prospect of applying to and paying for college. By the end of this program we hope you will maintain your excitement, and feel less overwhelmed. It’s time to take action on your college search. We’ll offer up best practices as well as common mistakes to avoid.
Join Director of College Counseling Brennan Barnard and his guests:
-Andy Borst, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at University of Illinois.
-Mary Nucciarone, Director of Financial Aid at Notre Dame.
-Karen Richardson, Dean of Admission at Princeton.
College Kickoff, Part 1
44:38
Before asking where you want to go to college, ask yourself why. Figure out who you are and what you want to get out of the experience. Join Director of College Counseling Brennan Barnard and his guests Angela Duckworth, author of Grit and Founder and CEO of Character Lab; and Sal Khan, author of The One World Schoolhouse and Founder and CEO of Khan Academy, for a discussion on resources, resilience and self-reflection as you begin your college journey.
Tell Your Story: Crafting Great College Admissions Essays
59:54
Expert: Brad Schiller, Prompt
Advice from an experienced essay coach on how to be most effective in your writing.
A Closer Look at Community Colleges
31:26
Expert: Dr. Charles Lloyd, White Mountains Community College
Learn more about the ROI and benefits of an associate's degree.
Managing College Admissions Pressure
50:43
Experts: Candice Mackey, Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies; Denise Pope, Challenge Success
A discussion of how to support students’ well being and reduce unnecessary pressure around the college admissions process.
Podcasts
