How To Survive High School, Pt. 4

TECHNOLOGY IS OUR FRIEND (continued)

These sites should help you when the concept of real life strikes you.

http://www.snagajob.com – Fill out a profile and a list of possible jobs are brought to you. Always keep an eye out for a job’s age requirements.

http://www.collegeboard.com – If you’re one of those students who takes the SAT for college admission (some kids take the ACT – http://www.act.org), you’ll love this site. You can register for both the SAT I and the SAT II tests online and get instant confirmation. (I’m assuming again. Sorry. The SAT I is supposed to test verbal and math skills. The levels of math tested are arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. The SAT II tests more specific subjects, like world history or biology.) I successfully registered for the SAT I shortly before the deadline. You want to check this site out if you’re a procrastinator. (What’s a procrastinator? I’ll tell you tomorrow. Sure, it’s corny, but it does illustrate the meaning. You can’t deny that.) You also want to check this site out if you take AP courses. You can also find test prep materials. The site also offers tools that can help students with their college search. I guess the folks at the College Board are feeling guilty about their tests.

http://www.fasfa.ed.gov – This is the website for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You will most likely have to fill out the FAFSA to get money for college costs. You may have to fill out more than one application for financial aid, so check with your potential college. This site can give you some information about the FAFSA, but, more importantly, you can complete the FAFSA online. In fact, you can save a partially completed form and finish it later. Also, the site tells you that you've made a mistake on the form shortly after you’ve made the mistake.

http://www.ed.gov/studentaid – This site has links to sites regarding the college search, the career search, and the financial aid search. In fact, this site has a link to the previous site.

http://www.fastweb.com – This site helps you locate money for college, too. You fill out a profile that is used to create a list of scholarships that are specific to you. You can also find articles about different aspects of the college application process. The site can also help you with your college search.

http://www.commonapp.org – Some colleges accept the Common Application. This is the online version of that convenient application. You can also find a link to tips for writing a college essay. (Trust me, you will most likely have to write at least one essay as part of your college application.)

http://www.essayedge.com – This site offers an essay editing service, but the service costs. You can, however, find free essay writing tips and a free online writing course on the site. If you want, you can go to http://www.essayedge.com/teachers and download a packet with helpful information about the college admissions essay. Sure, the address says “teachers”, but access to the site isn’t limited with a password.

IF YOU'RE NOT BORED TO TEARS, GO ON TO PART 5!

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