DIY College Planning
You can absolutely apply to college on your own. Below you will find an assortment of tools, resources, downloads, tutorials, and courses to help you along the way. Many of them are FREE for you to use or download—others require a small investment. You can mix and match items and bundle courses to customize your college planning experience. It’s up to you to decide what you need.
What’s Included
Introduction
Also known as Apply To College: 101, this is the beginning—no matter which courses(s) you choose. You will get an overview of the college application process with instructions and guidelines to help you navigate your course(s).
Instructional Videos
Navigating the college application process is often difficult and confusing. My online courses incorporate a variety of videos to walk you through the process and make it more manageable.
Step by Step Instructions
Knowing what to do and when it needs to be completed is key to a successful college application plan. Each phase of your college application timeline is outlined with clear, step-by-step instructions for you to follow.
Resources
When you apply to college, you have SO MUCH information to consume. Being informed will help you make the best decisions about your future. Each course features valuable resources that will support the work you need to do. A specially designed Trello board will consolidate your research, facilitate application management, and support deadline tracking.
Worksheets & Questionnaires
You have many options to consider when you begin the college application process. The courses include worksheets, questionnaires, and checklists to help you establish and refine your criteria, conduct and organize your research and overall gain a better understanding of yourself.
Bonus Content
This section contains material I affectionately group together and call—How To Adult: 101. This is the stuff that no one ever specifically told you but somehow expected you to know. I also cover helpful tips I think you can use in college. This content is included with all courses.
ONLINE COURSES
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Discovering You
Learning about YOURSELF is the first step in your journey to college. This course will guide you through a series of activities to identify your strengths and introduce majors and careers that might interest you.
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Foundations for College
Planning for college starts earlier than you think. Selecting your courses, balancing your extracurricular activities, and building your resume all take time and can impact your college applications. This course will answer all your burning questions and help you create a PATH to college.
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Understand the Role of Testing
Deciding which test to take and whether or not to include your scores in your application can be complicated. This course will review your choices and provide the resources to help you make those decisions.
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Create Your College List
Deciding WHERE you will apply is perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of the college application process. This course will help you identify schools that are a good fit for you academically, socially, and financially. Armed with that knowledge, you can build a balanced college list.
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Apply to College
There is A LOT MORE to your college application than just filling in the required information. This course will introduce the concept of application strategy, testing policies, supplemental documents, and more. Of course, it will also walk you through the completion of your Common Application.
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Craft a Compelling Personal Statement
Your personal statement has a very important job to do. This course will explain the ROLE OF THE ESSAY in the application process and guide you through brainstorming exercises to develop your story.
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Paying for College
Going to college is an INVESTMENT in your future. Paying for college is another story. This course will help you navigate the financial aid process so you can maximize your chances of earning scholarships and complete the required financial aid forms on time.
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Transition to College
CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve made your decision—now the real fun begins. This course will review orientation, enrollment tasks, degree planning, housing, roommate selection, move-in resources, and more.
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Support Your Student
Applying to college is quite different today than when you applied. This course will outline the college application process from the PARENT’S PERSPECTIVE and help you understand how you can and should help your student.
FREE RESOURCES
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College Terms You Need to Know
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High School Course Planner
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Testing Checklist
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10th Grade Checklist
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Junior Planning
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Senior Timeline
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College Research Organizer
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College List Organizer
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College Visit Checklist
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The College Application
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Financial Aid Basics
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Scholarship FAQ's
WEBSITES
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College Search
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Testing
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Financial Aid
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College Visits
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Applications
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FREE TUTORIALS
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College Applications 101
An overview of the college application process.
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Understanding College Fit
Explore the factors that contribute to making a college a good fit for you.
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High School Course Planning
Select the courses that are right for you and strategically plan your rigor.
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Extracurricular Activities and Your College Application
Build your resume to enhance your college applications.
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The Application Timeline
Know what needs to be done and when you should do it.
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Letters of Rec
Everything you need to know about letters of recommendation.
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Testing & College Admission
Understanding the new testing landscape.
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Building A Balanced College List
Create an application plan that sets you up for success.
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Apply To College: What You Need to Know
Applying to college requires multiple steps and knowing how to complete them is essential.
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How Decisions Are Made
Considering how colleges make admissions decisions is essential to your application strategy.
“It isn’t where you came from, it’s where you’re going that counts.”
ELLA FITZGERALD