Resources
College Search
-
College Board / Big Future A comprehensive college search tool with information on majors, costs, and campus life, plus SAT and AP resources.
-
Colleges That Change Lives A curated list of colleges known for transforming students' lives, with a focus on fit over prestige.
-
Niche In-depth college reviews, rankings, and fit-based search tools written by real students and families.
-
Common App The primary application platform accepted by 1,000+ colleges and universities.
-
The Princeton Review College search, rankings, and test prep resources trusted by students and families nationwide.
-
US News College Compass Well-known college rankings with detailed data on academics, costs, and admissions.
-
College Vine A college match and admissions platform with chancing tools and expert guidance.
Specialty Resources
-
NCAA Eligibility Center Essential resource for student athletes navigating college recruitment and eligibility requirements.
-
ROTC / GoArmyEd Information and resources for students interested in ROTC programs and Service Academy applications.
-
National Portfolio Day A national event connecting students applying to art, design, and film programs with college admissions representatives.
-
College Autism Network A U.S. based nonprofit focused on improving college outcomes for autistic students, with resources for students, families, and educators.
-
Understood.org A comprehensive resource for students with learning and thinking differences including ADHD and dyslexia, with practical guides for navigating the college search and transition.
-
Campus Pride Index The leading national tool for comparing LGBTQ+ friendly colleges and universities. Students and families can search and rate campuses based on policies, programs, and support services.
-
ADL Campus Antisemitism Report Card The Anti-Defamation League's annual report card grading colleges and universities on their response to antisemitism, a valuable tool when evaluating campus climate for Jewish students.
Online Test Prep
SAT/ACT Test Prep
-
Khan Academy Free official SAT prep developed in partnership with College Board. A great starting point for every student.
-
College Board SAT Practice Official full-length SAT practice tests and preparation resources directly from the test maker.
-
ACT Academy Free official ACT prep tools and practice questions directly from the ACT.
-
Princeton Review SAT/ACT Prep A mix of free and paid prep resources with proven strategies for both the SAT and ACT.
-
Kaplan Test Prep A well-recognized test prep option offering courses, tutoring, and practice materials for the SAT and ACT.
-
UWorld Highly rated for its detailed practice questions and explanations for both the SAT and ACT.
AP Resources
-
College Board AP Students The official source for AP exam information, practice materials, and score reporting.
-
Khan Academy AP Courses Free AP course content covering a wide range of subjects, ideal for independent study and exam review.
-
Albert.io Extensive practice questions and detailed explanations for AP exams across all subjects.
-
Fiveable A student-favorite platform for AP study guides, live review sessions, and peer community support.
PSAT Resources
-
College Board PSAT Practice Official PSAT practice materials and information on National Merit Scholarship qualification.
Testing Information
-
ACT Registration, test dates, and score information.
-
SAT Registration, test dates, and score information.
-
Test Optional Colleges FairTest's regularly updated list of test-optional and test-free schools nationwide.
Test Prep Tutors
Our team personally recommends the following local and virtual test prep tutors.
Score Builder Test Prep (SAT, ACT, and academic subjects)
Matthew Stroup
www.scorebuildertestprep.com mstroup@scorebuildertestprep.com
(760) 687-5330
Team Talent (SAT and ACT)
Patricia Brown
www.teamtalent.biz
patricia@teamtalent.biz
(858) 342-3399
Mo Prep (SAT and ACT)
Dana Seaton
www.moprep.com
info@moprep.com
(858) 951-7149
Vince Kotchian Test Prep (SAT, ACT, and GRE)
www.vincekotchian.com
(760) 542-8395
Alice Humbracht Tutoring (SAT and ACT)
(858) 231-7444
Pivot Tutors (SAT, ACT, and academic subjects)
(858) 531-0508
Hammer Prep (SAT and ACT)
(858) 793-7737
Potentia Prep (SAT, ACT, and GRE, Virtual)
Conrad Macalalad
(833) 367-7737
Essay Resources
Looking for inspiration? These sites feature real college essays and expert guidance to help your student find their voice and tell their story.
-
Johns Hopkins Essays That Worked Real essays submitted by admitted Johns Hopkins students, a great resource for seeing what strong writing looks like.
-
Connecticut College Essays That Worked A collection of successful essays from admitted Connecticut College students across a range of topics and styles.
-
College Essay Guy One of the most popular college essay resources online, featuring annotated examples and expert writing tips.
-
Escape Essay Hell A practical guide to writing compelling college essays, with examples, strategies, and step-by-step support.
Financial Aid
Federal and State Aid
-
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) The starting point for all federal financial aid. Required by most colleges and universities.
-
FAFSA ID Create your FSA ID to sign and submit your FAFSA online.
-
CSS/Financial Aid Profile Required by many private colleges in addition to the FAFSA to determine institutional aid eligibility.
-
Cal Grant Program California state grant program providing financial aid to eligible CA residents attending college in California.
Scholarship Search
-
Fastweb One of the largest free scholarship search databases, with personalized matches based on your student's profile.
-
Scholarships.com A comprehensive scholarship search engine with millions of opportunities across all student types.
-
Bold.org A growing scholarship platform with new opportunities added daily and a streamlined application process.
-
Cappex Merit aid and scholarship search tool with college match features.
Financial Aid Guidance
-
College Board Net Price Calculator Estimate your family's out-of-pocket costs at specific schools before applying.
-
FinAid A trusted, comprehensive resource covering all aspects of financial aid, loans, and scholarships.
College Financial Planning
For families looking for personalized guidance on college financial planning and retirement planning, we recommend reaching out to:
Justin Peek, CFP®, CCFC®, CLTC®, AAMS®
CEO and Founder, Peek Wealth 7750 El Camino Real, Suite 2E, Carlsbad, CA 92009
www.peekwealth.com | justin@peekwealth.com | (760) 705-1200
FAFSA and CSS Profile Support
If you need help completing the FAFSA or CSS Profile, the following financial aid consultants specialize in exactly that. Please mention that you are working with My Pathway to College when reaching out, as they will focus solely on the financial aid piece of the process.
-
Elisia Howard - elisia@collegeinsights.com
-
Michelle Mai - info@collegeplanningsource.com