Juniors: Objective Guidebooks and Websites for your College Search

Guidebooks and websites are great starting points for an initial college search. Objective guidebooks and websites are comprehensive catalogs that provide at-a-glance overviews for colleges and universities -- facts and figures on variables such as location, cost, test scores, academics, athletics and financial aid. The guidebooks are available in bookstores, libraries and the office of your high school college counselor. Websites are available to everyone free of charge.

Here are the objective guidebooks and websites we recommend:

Books

College HandbookThe College Board
Four Year CollegesPeterson’s
Four Year College Admissions Data: Index of Majors and Sports available fromWintergreen Orchard House

Websites

University and College Accountability Network
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities 
College Results Online

 

One caveat: The guidebooks are published annually and you will need to make sure you are using the most up-to-date edition.

 

You can find more guidance on research resources and how to use them in Chapter 8 ofCollege Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step, "Creating an Initial List of Colleges" and on our website under the Book tab at "Resources."

 

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