The College Search and Application Process

Parents of high school students should visit The College Board website.  Each year, the College Board serves seven million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,500 colleges through major programs and services in college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning. Among its best-known programs are the SAT®, the PSAT/NMSQT®, and the Advanced Placement Program® (AP®).  For the lastest news from The College Board, read their Press Releases. 

Standardized Tests for College Admission

• The College Board: Testing (SATs and Subject Tests, AP, CLEP, PSAT / NMSQT)
• ACT Assessment
• TOEFL Testing
• Comparison of 2002 Mean SAT Scores - SAT I scores comparing students in overseas schools (sponsored by the Office of Overseas Schools) with the national average, Fairfax County Schools, Montgomery County Schools, and U.S. Independent Schools. Also shows SAT II subject test scores of students in overseas schoos (sponsored by the Office of Overseas Schools) compared against the national mean.

Finding the Right College or University for You

• The College Board - Information on planning for college
• Thompson/Petersons - Offers college application and search guides online.
• The Fiske Guide to Colleges - College search and application process.
• College Athletes - Offers a free service linking students with athletic and academic opportunities at U.S. Division 3 colleges and universities.
• Virtual Tours of College Campuses
• Maryland Mentor - A student services website representing the statewide and independent colleges and universities of Maryland.
• Greater Washington College Information Center
• College Results Online - This is a site where students who are researching colleges can search for information regarding graduation rates, learn about graduation rates of diverse students, and compare the graduation rates of similar colleges and universities.

College Applications

• The College Board - Information on Applying to Colleges and Universities
• A University of Virginia admissions officer offers her advice on how to write a winning college essay
• Top Ten Tips for College Applications

College and the Student with Special Needs

• College planning for students with learning disabilities
• Virginia College Quest - A Guide to College Success for Students with Disabilities
• KidsSource - A Guide to College Success for Students with Disabilities with basic information and links to important websites on college planning for students with learning disabilities.
• Council for Exceptional Children - Largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, whether gifted or disabled.
• Education's Most Damaging "Urban Legend" - This article, by Rick Lavoiehe, dispels the myth that kids won't get help with their work once they get to college. The article takes a look at the various learning support centers available on college campuses today.

Residency Requirements

• The College Board maintains residency requirements by state.

Scholarships and Financial Aid 

• See FLO's page for Scholarships and Financial Aid

Educational Travel for Students in College/University or Accredited Vocational Training

• Educational Travel Allowances
• FAQs for Educational Travel Allowance

Chapters from Education Options for the Foreign Service Family

• Chapter 12 - Preparing for College
  The Advanced Placement Program, The International Baccalaureate Program, College Preparatory Subjects, Academic Preparation for College, Standardized Testing for College.
• Chapter 13 - Choosing a College or University
  Gathering Information, The College Search Service and Independent Educational Consultants, College Admissions Timetable, The Application Process, Easy Writing Tips, College Visits, The Interview, The Evaluation Process, Applying to College from Overseas, Residency Requirements for State Universities and Colleges, Special Admissions Policies.
• Chapter 14 - Post Secondary Options
  Associate Degree Programs, Vocational and Trade Schools, Taking A Year Off - Alternative Programs, Accompanying the Family to an Overseas Post, Deferred College Admission, Post Graduate (PG) Year, Organized Programs, Correspondence Schools, Attending College Overseas.
• Chapter 15 - Meeting College Costs
  Types of Financial Aid, Determining Financial Need, Early Financial Aid Planning, Financial Aid Checklist, Federal, State, and Institutional Financial Aid, Unsubsidized Federal Loans, Military and Other Agency Scholarships, State Financial Aid, Institutional and Private Programs.
• Chapter 16 - Putting Communication Systems in Place
  Family Support for College Students, Day-to-Day Finances, Miscellaneous Arrangements, Global Nomads.

Additional Resources

• Tips for Teaching Students about Savings and Investing from the SEC

FLO Weblinks for College and Beyond

• College and Beyond
• The College Search and Application Process
• Top Ten Tips for College Admission
• Educational Travel Allowance
• Scholarships, Financial Aid and Student Internships
• Adult Children: So When Does My Baby Turn into An Adult?
• Baby You Can Drive My Car: A Guide to Obtaining a Driver's License in the Washington Area

Information provided by the Family Liaison Office
Contact the Family Liaison Office