Start
your College Quest
ARTICLES ABOUT COLLEGES (and most other topics)
ONLINE DATABASES at the Library or from home through
www.westportlibrary.org:
Electric Library Articles from magazines, newspapers and books, pictures,
maps, and tv and radio transcripts. InfoTrac OneFile. Huge database
of articles from magazines and newspapers. (an iConn.org database)
COLLEGE CATALOGS AND OTHER OFFICIAL INFORMATION
WEB SITES:
| www.collegenews.com |
This campus newswire and student
service provides links to college newspapers and information
on study abroad programs, internships, financial aid and more. |
| www.collegeboard.org |
Informative articles range
from advice to pre-high school students through the application
process and financial issues. Students may also register online
for the SAT exams. |
| www.lagcc.cuny.edu/library/ |
A manageable number of links
to websites of college guides and home pages, rankings, financial
aid and scholarships, study abroad programs. |
THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS
BOOKS:
| 378.1056 An88c |
Antonoff |
College match 2000 - 2001 |
Combining worksheets with practical advice, this
book helps students organize the college choice and application
process. |
| 378.1056 F545f |
|
The Fiske guide to getting into the right
college 1997 |
The former education editor of the New York Times
recommends colleges in different categories and offers advice
on choosing and applying. |
| 378.1056 H43a |
Hernandez |
A is for admission: the insider’s
guide to getting into the Ivy League and other top colleges
1999 |
A Dartmouth College admissions officer reveals
how the Ivy League chooses which applicants to admit. |
| 378.161 C66g |
Cohen |
The truth about getting in 2002 |
The college admission experience is defined and
classified by an independent college counselor. |
| 378.161 D63c |
DiSalvo |
College admissions for the high school
athlete 2001 |
Practical and valuable information for the high
school athlete’s college choice. |
| 378.161 G832m |
Greene |
Making it into a top college 2000 |
A detailed, comprehensive method for organizing
the college admission process.
|
| 378.161 G941 |
|
The guide to getting in 2002 |
Six Harvard undergraduates share tips on applying
to top colleges. |
| 378.161 M694w |
|
Winning the heart of the college admissions
dean 2001 |
Common sense and solid advice is given in this
compact, comprehensive admissions guide. |
| 378.161 M762h |
Montauk |
How to get into the top colleges 2000 |
Advice from admissions and financial aid directors,
ways to use college rankings and a discussion of alternative
experiences if deferring for a year. |
| 378.161 T169a |
Toor |
Admissions confidential: insiders account
of the elite college selection process 2001 |
A former admissions officer reveals that the
applicant who is mediocre in some areas but outstanding in others
is frequently preferred to better-prepared bright, well-rounded
applicants. |
COLLEGE VISITS
WEB SITE:
BOOKS:
| Ref 378.1056 P442 |
Peterson’s guide to college visits
2002 |
Specific information for visiting more than 800
colleges and universities. |
| 378.1056 Sch58c |
Campus visits and college interviews
2002 |
An experienced college advisor uses checklists
and concise paragraphs to discuss how to plan campus visits
and prepare for college interviews. |
GENERAL DIRECTORIES
BOOKS: [BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES]
Ref. 378.155 P442f
(earlier edition circulates) |
Peterson’s guide to four year colleges
– 2002 |
| Ref. 378.155 P442t. (earlier edition circulates) |
Peterson’s guide to two-year colleges
– 2002 |
| Ref. Desk 378.73 B278bp. (other copies circulate) |
Barron’s profiles of American colleges
- 2001 |
| Ref. 378.73 C686 (other copies circulate) |
[The College Board’s] College handbook
- 2002 |
| Ref. 378.73 P442 |
Peterson’s colleges and universities
in the USA - 1998
For international students. |
| Ref. 378.73 T848f |
Field guide to colleges - 1999 |
| Ref. 378.74 F119 |
Facts: the New England Board of Higher
Education’s directory of New England colleges, universities
and institutes - 2001 |
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF COLLEGE LIFE
BOOKS:
| 378.198 G832i |
Greene |
Inside the top colleges: realities of
life and learning in America’s elite colleges - 2000 |
A survey of over 4,000 students provides a realistic
picture of life at America’s most prestigious colleges. |
| Ref. 378.73 F545 |
|
The Fiske guide to colleges - 2002
(other copies circulate) |
Students and administrators produce this systematic,
selective, subjective guide describing life at more than 300
colleges and universities. |
| 378.73 G832p |
Greene |
The public ivies: America’s flagship
public universities - 2001 |
30 public colleges and universities at which
students can receive an Ivy League education at a fraction of
the price. |
| 378.73 G832h |
Greene |
The hidden ivies: 30 colleges of excellence
- 2000 |
Describes 30 liberal arts colleges and universities
that are equivalent to their Ivy League counterparts. |
| Ref. 378.73 In7 |
|
The insider’s guide to the colleges
- 2001.
(other copies circulate) |
Descriptions of life at more than 300 colleges
and universities in the U.S. and Canada from the students’
point of view. |
| 378.73 P81l |
Pope |
Looking beyond the Ivy League - 1995 |
Stressing the value of the small liberal arts
college, Pope shows parents and students how and why to look
beyond Ivy League and other well-known schools to choose the
college that best suits their needs. |
| 378.73025 Ad59o |
Adler |
100 colleges where average students can
excel - 1997 |
Profiles top-quality colleges with innovative
teaching styles, unique curricula, small class sizes and extensive
academic services. |
SPECIAL LEARNING ISSUES
BOOKS:
| 371.92 M779l |
Mooney |
Learning outside the lines - 2000 |
A successful, self-directed approach to education
written by two Ivy League graduates with learning disabilities. |
| Ref. 378.73 K1 |
|
K & W guide to colleges for the learning
disabled - 2000 |
Learning disabled programs, admissions criteria,
and phone numbers of program officials at over 300 colleges.
|
| Ref. 378.73 C686 |
|
Peterson’s colleges with programs
for students with learning disabilities or attention deficit
disorders - 2000
(an earlier copy circulates)
|
Two- and four-year colleges with comprehensive
programs and special services for students with learning disabilities. |
SPECIALIZED DIRECTORIES AND INFORMATION
BOOKS:
| Ref. 378.178 D628 |
Directory of college cooperative education
programs - 1996 |
Describes programs at 460 colleges that integrate
classroom studies with a series of paid, related work experiences. |
| 378.73 C686 |
Colleges that encourage character development
- 1999 |
This Templeton Foundation book features 400 college
programs that emphasize service, leadership and spiritual growth. |
| 378.73 D628 |
Directory of Catholic colleges and universities
- 2001
|
|
| 378.73 C462 |
Peterson’s Christian colleges and
universities - 2000 |
|
| 378.73 H557 |
Hillel guide to Jewish life on campus
- 1997 |
|
These books profile colleges and programs from a religious perspective.
| 378.73 P81c |
Pope |
Colleges that change lives - 2000 |
A college placement consultant describes 40 colleges
with proven ability to develop potential, values, initiative
and risk-taking in a wide range of students. |
| Ref. 640.71 G941 |
|
The guide to cooking schools - 2001 |
A comprehensive directory of culinary programs,
including college programs as well as shorter ones, in the U.S.
and other countries. |
| Ref. 792.07 D628 |
|
Directory of theatre training programs
- 1995, 5th ed. |
A listing and descriptions of 420 theatre training
programs in the U.S. and a few from Canada and the United Kingdom,
with an alphabetical index of schools and degrees offered. |
RANKINGS
WEB SITE:
| USNews.com: America's Best Colleges |
Corresponding web site to the
annual America’s best colleges (below), with sort and find
features to customize a college search and links to college
home pages, admissions e-mail, and electronic applications. |
BOOKS:
| Ref. 378.199 R843 |
Rugg’s recommendations on the colleges
- 2002 |
Lists the best colleges for a particular major
chosen from 800 competitive four-year colleges. |
| Ref. 378.73 Am35ab |
U.S. News & World Report. America’s
best colleges - 2001 |
Categorizes colleges by their mission and region,
and ranks them within categories, using indicators of academic
excellence. |
| 378.73 P442 |
Peterson’s competitive colleges
- 2000 |
Besides the facts and figures of these leading
colleges and universities are tips and advice for evaluating,
preparing and paying for college. |
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS AND ESSAYS
WEB SITE:
| www.commonapp.org |
The common application may
be used to apply to 227 competitive, independent and public
colleges. |
BOOKS:
| 378.1056 F466 |
|
50 successful Harvard application essays
- 1999 |
Essays are presented and dissected by members
of the newspaper, the Harvard Crimson. |
| 378.1056 Eh84w |
Ehrenhaft |
Writing a successful college application
essay - 2000 |
A step-by-step approach to creating and writing
a college essay, with examples. |
| 378.161 G832p |
Greene |
Presenting yourself successfully to colleges
- 2001 |
Leading local educational consultants tell what
admissions officers look for in essays and applications. |
| 378.1616 M381h |
Mason |
How to write a winning college application
essay - 2000 |
Guides for writing a college admission essay
that emphasizes a student’s creativity and unique qualities. |
FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS
AVAILABLE AT THE LIBRARY (starting in late Fall):
FAFSA application forms The Free Application for Federal Student Aid
form required by many financial aid programs.
Federal school code list Lists college code numbers needed for filling
out the FAFSA form.
WEB SITES:
| Federal Student Aid |
This federal government agency
explains and gives information about financial aid and has the
application for applying for it. |
| www.fafsa.ed.gov |
The Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA) may be accessed from this website.
|
| www.fastweb.com |
Comprehensive, searchable databases
of scholarships to make up an individualized list of grants
and loans. |
www.finaid.org
or www.finaid.com |
Information on various loans,
scholarships, military aid, and other kinds of aid with links
to many pertinent sites. |
BOOKS:
| 378.3 B917m |
Burke |
Money lines guide to college money in
New England - 1996 |
Hints on how to structure a winning application,
and lists of awards, scholarships, grants, prizes and endowed
funds. |
| Ref. 378.3 C686c |
[The College Board’s] |
College costs and financial aid handbook
- 2002
(earlier ed. circulates) |
Detailed descriptions of 3,100 U.S. colleges’
tuition, fees, books, supplies, undergraduate aid, application
procedures and special indexes to athletics, academics, performing
arts and ROTC scholarships. |
| 378.3 H939bf |
|
The best way to save for college: a complete
guide to 529 plans - 2002 |
Describes the tax rules, planning strategies,
and impact on college financial aid of these tax-deferred accounts.
|
| 378.3 K141h |
Kaplan |
How to go to college almost for free
- 2000 |
Includes a directory of scholarships, sample
winning documents and a listing of state scholarship agencies.
|
| Ref. 378.3 M194c |
McKee |
Cash for college - 1999 |
In addition to listing scholarships, this book
is a step-by-step road map through the entire financial application
process. |
| Ref. 378.3 P442 |
|
Peterson’s college money handbook
- 2002
(other copies circulate) |
Detailed resource about college costs and financial
aid opportunities with financial aid profiles of over 1700 colleges. |
| Ref. 378.3 Sch64 |
|
Scholarships, fellowships and loans –
2002
(earlier ed. circulates) |
Provides access to over 4,000 sources of education-related
financial aid, from undergraduate to professional. |
| 378.3 T153g |
Tanabe |
Get free cash for college - 2001 |
Ways to navigate the college scholarship maze
and a directory of available scholarships. |
| 378.34 Sp66w |
Sponholz |
Winning athletic scholarships: guaranteeing
your academic eligibility for college sports scholarships -
1998 |
Describes the requirements, rules and life of
a college athlete.
|
PARENTS’ GUIDES
BOOKS:
| 378.198 B644i |
Borden |
In addition to tuition: the parents’
survival guide to freshman year of college - 1995 |
Advises parents on helping their children handle
difficult situations as they start college. |
| 378.198 C639l |
Coburn |
Letting go: a parent’s guide to
understanding the college years - 1997 |
Anecdotes help parents to navigate the transition
from high school through college. |
| 378.198 Ep85p |
Epstein |
A parent’s guide to sex, drugs and
flunking out - 2001 |
Advice on selecting the right school, and handling
issues such as drinking, drug use, sexuality, stress and getting
along with roommates. |
| 378.198 P263a |
Pasick |
Almost grown: launching your child from
high school to college - 1998 |
A psychologist and parent tackles the key question
of how parents can foster adolescents’ growth and autonomy
while maintaining family connections. |
| 378.161 N559p |
Niewenhuis |
Parent’s guide to college admissions
- 2000 |
Expert advice for parents trying to guide their
children through everything from choosing the right school to
paying for it. |
TEST PREPARATION GUIDES
ONLINE DATABASE at the Library or from home through
www.westportlibrary.org:
LearnATest.com Unlimited access to free online practice
exams for the SAT and GED, including an instant score report with
detailed explanations of the correct answers.
WEB SITE:
| www.ets.org |
The organization that develops
and administers the SAT’s, AP’s and other tests provides
information , advice, and the option of registering online for
the tests. |
BOOKS:
PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment/National Merit Scholarship
Qualifying Test):
| 378.1662 T122p |
Peterson’s |
PSAT/NMSQT
flash - 1998 |
| 378.1664 B825h |
Barron’s |
How to prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT - 1997 |
| 378.1664 C841 |
Princeton Review |
Cracking the SAT and PSAT - 1998 |
SAT I: (Scholastic Assessment Test: Reasoning)
| 378.1664 H83 |
Barron’s |
How to prepare for SAT I - 2001 |
| 378.1664 C235s |
|
SAT Success - 1996 |
| 378.1664 S1 |
Kaplan |
SAT verbal workbook - 1998 |
| Teen 378.1664 T25 |
College Board |
10 real SATs - 2000 |
| 378.1664 B787h |
Barron’s |
Hot words for the SAT I - 1998 |
| 510.76 S1 |
Kaplan |
SAT math workbook - 2002 |
SAT II: (Scholastic Assessment Test: Subjects)
| 378.1664 R229 |
College Board |
Real SAT II: subject tests - 1998 |
Preparation for individual tests (all by Barron’s; titles start
with How to prepare for SAT II):
| 448.0076 K349h |
French - 1999 |
| 468.0076 K349h |
Spanish - 2001 |
| 510.76 R529h |
Mathematics level I and IC - 1996 |
| 530.076 G337h |
Physics - 1999 |
| 540.076 M374h |
Chemistry - 1998 |
| 808.04207 Eh83h |
Writing - 1998 |
| 820.76 M992h |
Literature - 1996 |
| 907.6 R761h |
World history - 1996 |
| 973.076 M584h |
American history and social studies -
1998 |
ACT (American College Testing Assessment Program):
| 378.1664 C841 |
Princeton Review |
Cracking the ACT - 1998 |
| 378.1664 H83 |
Barron’s |
How to prepare for the ACT - 1995 |
| 378.1664 L579 |
Arco |
ACT: American college testing program
- 1996 |
Advanced Placement (all by Barron’s; unless otherwise noted,
titles start with How to prepare for the advanced placement examination):
| 320.473076 L123h |
U.S. government and politics - 1996 |
| Teen 378.1664 M496c |
Cracking the AP U.S. government and politics
- 2000 |
| 468.076 Sp83h |
Spanish - 1997 |
| 515.076 A1 |
AP success calculus AB/BC - 2000 |
| 519.507 St45b |
Statistics - 2000 |
| 530.076 W831h |
Physics B - 1999 |
| 541.076 J494h |
Chemistry - 1995 |
| 570.7 C884k |
Kaplan AP biology - 2000 |
| 808.04207 N124h |
English literature and composition, language
and composition - 1997 |
| 940.076 P316c |
Cracking the AP European history - 2000
|
| 973.076 K294h |
How to prepare for the advanced placement
examination, U.S. history - 1996 |
ESPECIALLY FOR ADULT COLLEGE APPLICANTS
| 378.168 Ab37g |
Aber |
Getting a college degree fast - 1996 |
Outlines the steps to earning a quality degree
quickly, by using accredited programs for testing out of course
requirements and other short cuts. |
| 378.198 Si15a |
Siebert |
The adult student’s guide to survival
and success - 1996 |
Practical information for the adult student
in developing successful study habits, test-taking skills, coping
with work and family responsibilities, and succeeding with life’s
many pressures and events. |
| 374.4 B38c |
Bear |
College degrees by mail and internet
- 2001 |
A description of 100 accredited schools offering
Associate’s, Bachelor’s and advanced degrees through
directed independent study via the mail and Internet. |
CLEP (COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM) STUDY GUIDES:
| 378.1664 C1 |
College Board |
CLEP: Official study guide - 2002 |
| 378.1664 P442 |
|
Peterson’s CLEP success - 1999 |
Last update: 8/07
dcelia@westportlibrary.org