COLLEGE/CAREER PLANNING AND RESOURCES

 

This list is not meant to be exhaustive.  Libraries, bookstores, and the Internet are great resources for finding materials that may be even more specific to your needs. 

A note of caution regarding websites:  Online resources are an excellent source for college information, but be wary of “. com” sites.  For example, there is a “FAFSA.com” site that states it will fill out your FAFSA form, but for a price.  The federal government’s FAFSA site and other federal educational websites end in ”ed.gov”, and California government sites end in.” ca.gov”. The information on these government sites is offered for free and their publications are also free.  Nonprofit organizations ending in “ .org ” are more reputable than ”. com ” sites.  However, there may be a charge for certain services with “. org” sites.

 

Who am I?…What are my interests?…What is my personality type?

Begin to answer these questions and think about your future plans with the help of the following:

 

·         www.getinsights.com    It’s all about you and your future…Click Take The Get Insights Profile Now… then click on Take Your Profile Now….our Cal High coupon code is 7D6125.  All students should do their career profile!

 

·         Strong/Campbell Interest Inventory (Counseling Office $9.00) This survey will give you career choices based on your interests in different areas.

 

·        COIN  SYSTEM     www.Coin3.com  The site ID is LCA15251 and the Login is chs.  This site, which is paid for by the District, has college searches, career searches, a self assessment survey, a career cluster assessment, a resume writer, etc.  It is great.

 

WEBSITES

 

What will I major in?…What career would I like...?

 

These sites help students investigate various occupations and careers. Some provide self-assessments to help guide the student towards certain careers based on their aptitude and interests.

 

·        www.bls.gov/oco  Occupational Outlook Handbook- contains thousands of careers to explore. The

most up to date careers/occupations.

·        www.careeronestop.org  Integrated suite of national websites that students research career

opportunities and self-assessments.

·        www.khake.com  A vocational information center. One-stop center for vocational and technical careers.

·        www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov  California apprenticeships. Click on Career Information and take a career

survey. Great resource for the top jobs and careers.

·        www.dol.gov  US Dept of Labor- check on popular careers based on various levels of education and find

out job requirements.

·        www.careervoyages.gov  A career exploration tool complete with videos and great links.

·        www.asvabprogram.com   Take the Armed Services Vocational Assessment Battery and find out what careers would fit your aptitude and interests. Although the military provides the test, you do not need to enroll in the military to take the test. It is provided at our school once every year.

·         www.uhs.berkeley.edu/students/careerlibrary/index.shtml    Go down to “Our Resources Include”.  Look up Occupational Information and/or the Wetfeet Career Resource Site.

·        www.dvc.edu   Go to Student Services Career…Completing Educational Goal…Career Center…Career/Technical/Education and take the Occupation Interest Survey.

·        www.collegeboard.com          Go to: “Finding the right college as a start.”

·        www.bridge-rayn.org/CGood.html    A Career Center on-line…take advantage of it…

·         www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/career  Career planning from the University of North Carolina Wilmington website… Click on ”What can I do with a major in…” in the “Current Students” “Career Services” page

·         www.cdm.uwaterloo.ca/steps.asp    This site from the U. of Waterloo, Canada, is great for helping students in their career decision-making…it starts with the steps to success. (Also…if you go to the main home site at the top, followed by  Current students” on the left; “Counseling” and then click “Study skills”, there are some helpful study tips.)

·        http:/jobstar.org         On-line career tests; resumes; job outlook

·        www.cacareerzone.org   A wonderful California Dept of Education site…try the reality check

·        www.princetonreview.com    Princeton Review…You can log–in. There is some good information.

·        www.collegeview.com   Career searches/college information/ special interests/financial aid.

·        www.cyberguidance.net   A guidance office on-line…college searches, assessments, job information.

·        www.acinet.org         “America’s Career Information Network”…can find trends, employment outlook, etc.

·        www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov California Employment Development Department. Includes Occupational Outlook Guides/job descriptions.

 

Which college is right for me?

 

The following sites have college searches, information on majors, virtual tours, rankings, and general comprehensive college information

 

·        www.Coin3.com   COIN SYSTEM The site ID is LCA15251 and the Login is chs. This site, which is paid for by the District, has college searches, career searches, a self assessment survey, a career cluster assessment, a resume writer, etc.  It is great.

·        www.uccp.org   California Virtual High School…a terrific new site from the UC system that                             

connects to all California higher education systems.  It has free SAT/ACT tutorials including

vocabulary building skills.

·        www.csumentor.edu or www.calstate.edu    CSU system

·        www.ucop.edu/pathways    UC system

·        www.cccco.edu  California Community Colleges

·        www.californiacolleges.edu  Overview of California Colleges

·        www.aiccu.edu    California Independent Colleges/Universities

·        www.amesseminars.com    Go to the College Connection… Advice, suggestions, research             engines…great tips for parents and students     

·        www.chinnworkshops.com Go to College Links…a good resource

·        www.newsdirectory.com/college.php   A quick way to locate and look-up colleges.

·        www.bestschoolsusa.com

·        www.cacollegeguide.com 

·        www.campustours.com

·        www.usnews.com 

·        www.education-online-search.com

·        www.assist.org  If a student is planning to go to a community college and transfer to a four year

college, this is a very helpful site

*     http://www.collegeview.com   Take virtual tours; how to make the most of your college experience 

·         http://www.collegelink.com   College link

·         www.theU.com  Explore various colleges and their popular majors as well as several career options

·         http://www.collegenet.com   College applications for 1500 colleges

·          http://www.commonapp.org     Download the Common Application (private schools)

·         http://www.collegeboard.com  Comprehensive site; details about colleges and comparisons

·         http://collegeispossible.com Excellent comprehensive site for college search and application. Extensive information about college preparation, financing

·         www.myroad.com

·         www.mycolleges.com   College Board sponsored site. Extensive information about college preparation, financing.

Other interesting Websites…

 

Testing Websites for the  ACT and SAT 

·         www.uccp.org  (Free SAT/ACT tutorials plus a vocabulary building skills.)

·         www.collegeboard.com  SAT and SAT Subject Tests

·         www.actstudent.org   ACT tests

·         www.testprepreview.com/ 

·        www.princetonreview.com

·        www.ivywest.com   

·        www.kaplan.com 

·        www.amesseminars.com

·        www.chinnworkshops.com

 

Scholarships                                                                                              

·        www.fastweb.com

·        www.scholarships.com

·        www.scholarshiphelp.org

·        www.calhigh.net  Cal High website under “Counseling Services” will list scholarships throughout the year

 

Financial Aid

·        www.fafsa.ed.gov  

·        www.edwise.org

·        www.estudentloan.com

http://www.csac.ca.gov    California student aid commission information

·        http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/Students   Dept. of Education Federal Student Aid: obtain FAFSA online

·        http://www.fafsa.ed.gov  Electronic application for FAFSA

·        http://www.finaid.org  The smart student guide to financial aid.  Overview of financial aid process; contains financial aid calculator

·        http://www.nelliemae.com    Information on FFELP—Federal Family Education Loan Programs and privately funded loans for students and families. 

http://www.salliemae.com  Stafford, PLUS and Consolidated Loans (federal loans)

www.collegeboard.com  CSS PROFILE  Contains online financial calculator 1-800-778-6888

Volunteer Opportunities

·        www.helpnow.org

 

Athletics  / Athletes

·        www.ncaa.org   National Collegiate Athletic Association

·        www.nflhs.com  Look at the Academics information…it has note taking tips, etc.

·        www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

·        www.athleticaid.com

·        http://www1.ncaa.org/membership/membership_svcs/eligibility-recruiting/index.html  NCAA Eligibility and Recruitment  For other questions call toll free 1-800-2621492

 

BOOKS AND OTHER RESOURCE MATERIALS

Gathering Information on Colleges:

The College Board Handbook

The Fiske Guide to Colleges

The Multicultural Student’s Guide to Colleges

Colleges that Change Lives, Loren Pope

The Black Student’s Guide to Colleges

Looking Beyond the Ivy League:  Finding the College That is Right for You, Loren Pope

Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges (24th edition)

Colleges pay to be included in the following books:

Princeton Review Complete Book of Colleges

Peterson’s College and University Almanac

Peterson’s Four-Year Colleges

Peterson’s Competitive Colleges

Making a Difference College and Graduate Guide:  Outstanding Colleges to Help You Make a Better World

Good Books to Read

Letting Go:  A Parent’s Guide to Understanding the College Years,
   Karen Coburn and Madge L Treeger

Questions and Answers to 100,000 Admission Questions, Jean Fetter

The Public Ivys, Richard Moll

Playing the Private College Admissions Game, Richard Moll

The College Admissions Mystique, Bill Mayher

The California High School Career Center

 

        *The CHS Career Center has a terrific library with wonderful resources; 

University of California “Introducing the University”

Taking the Reasoning Test

SAT Program Registration Bulletin:  SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests

Taking the Subject Tests

Preparing for the ACT Assessment

ACT Student Registration Packet

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – available in November

CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE Registration Guide

General financial aid information:

 

Paying for College Without Going Broke, Kalman S. Chany

Complete Family’s Guide to College Financial Aid, Richard Black (a clear, well-written 1995 book that is useful but somewhat outdated and is out of stock at the publisher but available at libraries)

Consumer Reports, “The College Challenge” (Aug. 1998, pp. 27-32) (comparative information on financial aid)

SAT and ACT

Taking the SAT Reasoning Test

SAT Program Registration Bulletin:  SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests

Taking the SAT Subject Tests

Preparing for the ACT Assessment

ACT Student Registration Packet

10 Real SATs (find in bookstores like Barnes & Noble, or order directly from College Board)

.

The Student Athlete

NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete

Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse

P.O.Box 4044

Iowa City, IA  52243-4044

For a free copy, call 1-800-638-3731