Postsecondary Planning:  External Sites


Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)
AVID is an in-school academic support program that prepares students in the middle for four year college eligibility and success.  AVID is offered at E. Russell Hicks, Northern, Springfield, and Western Heights Middle Schools as well as North Hagerstown, South Hagerstown, and Williamsport High Schools.

College Board
The official website of the SAT and AP, this site offers separate sections for students and parents and includes resources on planning for, finding, applying to, and paying for college.

College Navigator
A free consumer information tool from the U.S. Dept. of Education that has information about accreditation, programs offered, retention and graduation rates, prices, aid available, degrees awarded, and campus safety for nearly 7,000 postsecondary institutions in the United States.

College Preparation Checklist
Prepared by the U.S. Department of Education, this checklist includes information on academic and financial preparation beginning in elementary school.

College Raptor
A college matching tool designed to simplify the college search process.  Students can compare graduation rates and financial aid, try out the admission odds estimator or explore careers and salaries.  The site also includes rankings for degree programs plus information about campus life and safety.

College Savings Plans of Maryland
Parents can begin saving for college as soon as their children are born with as little as $25.00 a month.  Maryland offers two 529 plans, both of which provide a Maryland State income tax deduction for Maryland taxpayers.  

College Week Live
CollegeWeekLive is a free, online college fair, held several times a year, that is designed to connect prospective students with colleges and universities in a live, interactive environment.
 
Common Application
Over three hundred colleges and universities now accept the Common Application, a single form that can be filled out and submitted to multiple schools.  Some colleges offer free application through this system.

eCampus Tours
This site offers virtual tours of colleges and universities.

Education Planner
Start thinking about life after high school by exploring careers, colleges, and financial aid.  This website from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency includes sections for students, parents, and counselors and offers fun, interactive self-assessments. 

HBCU Connect
Search for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) by state, size, tuition, conference, and ranking.

Kids.Gov
This site links to over 2,000 webpages from government agencies, schools, and private organizations, all geared to the learning level and interest of students.  Resources for math, computers, careers, money, health and fitness, and more are divided into three categories depending on audience:  Grades K-5, Grades 6-8, and Educators.

Kids' Zone
This interactive website from the National Center for Education Statistics offers puzzles and games that reinforce skills such as graphing, probability, and vocabulary, as well college and information and research tools. 

Know How 2 Go
This website encourages younger students to prepare for college using four simple steps.  Designed for students, the site includes videos, success stories, preparation at different grade levels, and useful links.

Know It All
With the slogan, "Smart is Fun!" this site from the South Carolina Department of Education ofers a free online collection of resources for students, parents and teachers on topics such as math, science, visual arts, technology, and careers.

NAIA
The official clearinghouse for NAIA eligibility. The eligibility center is also a powerful tool to help athletes connect with coaches and NAIA schools and find money for college through NAIA athletic scholarships.

NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association's website includes academic information for prospective students and a link to the NCAA Eligibility Center for college-bound student-athletes.

Nursing Program Rankings
Top Nursing provides comprehensive information on schools, certification, salary, and job outlook for the Licensed Practical Nurse to help make an informed decision.

Online Schools Directory
Several databases including thousands of online college programs offered full or part-time by colleges around the country. 
onlineschools.org
Databases of online post-secondary programs at colleges and career schools in Maryland with a variety of degree and certificate program options.

Peterson's
This site's search engine includes colleges as well as career schools.  Information on choosing the right school and paying for college is also included.

Princeton Review
In addition to its test prep programs, this site offers dozens of helpful articles about preparing for, applying to and paying for college.

Universities.com
An online college preparation resource providing university rankings, tuition costs, and in depth information on more than 8,000 colleges and universities. They also publish numerous guides and articles on everything from choosing a major to campus safety.

Vocational and Trade Schools
Vocational and career-oriented schools offer a specialized education for students who have specific career goal. This site allows you to search for programs and research your options.


WCPS is not responsible for content on external sites.