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Jump start your college prep journey with these free resources at home or in the library. Learn about searching for schools, the application process, admission requirements, financial aid, and more.
To browse books on college prep and financial aid resources in the library, ask for help at the Adult Reference Desk.
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College Prep Books
- A Is for Admission : The Insider's Guide to Getting Into the Ivy League and Other Top Colleges
- How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay
- The Financial Aid Handbook
- Fiske Guide to Getting Into the Right College
- College Essay Essentials
- B+ Grades, A+ College Application
- College Para Todos
- Admissions Essay Boot Camp
- The Best Value Colleges : 75 Schools That Give You the Most for Your Money
- Colleges That Create Futures
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College Prep Books
- A Is for Admission : The Insider's Guide to Getting Into the Ivy League and Other Top Colleges
- How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay
- The Financial Aid Handbook
- Fiske Guide to Getting Into the Right College
- College Essay Essentials
- B+ Grades, A+ College Application
- College Para Todos
- Admissions Essay Boot Camp
- The Best Value Colleges : 75 Schools That Give You the Most for Your Money
- Colleges That Create Futures
Explore college majors and research career options to help focus your college search. Focus on your college readiness with test prep and see what college options are just around the corner.
- Alternatives to CollegeExternal Link - Earning a degree isn’t the only path toward career success
- BigFuture Career SearchExternal Link - Search for careers by income, education, or interest area, plus take the quiz to see which careers match your interest areas
- Career One StopExternal Link - Occupation and industry information, salary data, career videos, education resources, self-assessment tools and career exploration assistance
- Guide to Choosing a MajorExternal Link - You should consider several factors, including the program cost, your salary expectations, and the employment rates in that field of study
- Mapping Your FutureExternal Link - Explore CareerShip, a free online career exploration tool for high school students
- Student Transfer GuideExternal Link - Create a strategy for securing your transition to a four-year school
- Trade/Vocational Schools and Career CollegesExternal Link - Learn about some other options for after High School
- BigFuture College Search External Link - Search for colleges in this database by major, location, degrees, and more, or take the quiz to get your college match
- College Discovery Center External Link - Curated lists of recommended colleges by field of interest
- College Navigator External Link - Figure out if you are interested in a large university, a small liberal arts college, a specialized college, a community college, a career or technical college or a trade school
- College Scorecard External Link - Search and compare colleges: their fields of study, costs, admissions, results, and more
- Comparison Worksheet External Link - Use this worksheet to generate a side-by-side comparison of the financial aid offers you have received
- Graduate School Discovery Center External Link - Curated lists of recommended grad schools by field of interest
- Niche Colleges External Link - In-depth profiles on every school and college in America with ranking lists, student reviews, and ratings
- Niche Colleges in Illinois External Link - In-depth profiles on every school and college in Illinois with ranking lists, student reviews, and ratings
- Select a College External Link - Find the steps to selecting a school that suits you
- U.S. Department of Education External Link - Before you choose a college, research its accreditation here
- U.S. News Best Colleges External Link - Expert advice, rankings and data to help you navigate your education journey and find the best college for you
- ACCUPLACER External Link - Information and resources to help you prepare for ACCUPLACER course placement tests
- ACT External Link - Find information on test dates, places, fees, and how to register, plus how to prepare for the ACT and review your scores
- Fair Test External Link - List of colleges and universities that do not emphasize ACT or SAT scores in their admission process
- Method Learning Test PrepLibrary Card Required - Comprehensive self-paced lessons and resources that help students prepare for, and score higher on, the SAT and ACT
- SAT External Link - Find information about test dates, places, fees, how to register, and how to interpret your score report
- Test Prep for Students - Find tools to help you prepare for upcoming tests including resources for driving tests, ACT, SAT, AP tests, and more
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Two Year Schools
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- Harper College External Link - Public, Palatine
- Oakton Community College External Link - Public, Des Plaines
- City Colleges of Chicago Wilbur Wright College External Link - Public, Chicago
- Triton College External Link - Public, River Grove
- College of DuPage External Link - Public, Glen Ellyn
- Elgin Community College External Link - Public, Elgin
- City Colleges of Chicago Harry S Truman College External Link - Public, Chicago
- College of Lake County External Link - Public, Grayslake
- McHenry County College External Link - Public, Crystal Lake
- Morton College External Link - Public, Cicero
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Four Year Schools
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- Christian Life College External Link - Private, Mount Prospect
- Trinity International University External Link - Private, Deerfield
- Elmhurst College External Link - Private, Elmhurst
- Hebrew Theological College External Link - Private, Skokie
- Judson University External Link - Private, Elgin
- Wheaton College External Link - Private, Wheaton
- Concordia University Chicago External Link - Private, River Forest
- Lake Forest College External Link - Private, Lake Forest
- Dominican University External Link - Private, River Forest
- North Park University External Link - Private, Chicago
- Northeastern Illinois University External Link - Public, Chicago
- Northwestern University External Link - Private, Evanston
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When you're ready to start the application process use these helpful resources to see you through planning and financing for college to achieve your goals.
- Application Deadlines External Link - Keep track of the most common college application deadlines with this guide
- Apply for Admission External Link - Learn about early admission, application process, and tips to apply
- What do I need to apply? External Link - Apply to online college quickly and conveniently when you are prepared
- Campus Tours External Link - Search by school name to see video campus tours, interactive maps, or 360-degree panoramic views
- Campus Visits External Link - What to know before you go on your campus tour
- IES Abroad External Link - International Education of Students coordinates study abroad programs, internships and other international education offerings
- Study Abroad External Link - Find the best study abroad program for you
- Questions to Ask on a College Visit External Link - Help for prospective students to better understand what to ask on a college visit
- Debt/Salary Wizard External Link - See how much you can afford to borrow in student loan funds based on your future expected earnings
- Explore Financial Options External Link - Start by reviewing your eligibility for aid, search for scholarships, apply for financial aid, and more
- FAFSA Application External Link - Official application for students seeking federal financial aid
- Federal Student Aid External Link - Publications, fact sheets, online tools, and other resources to help you prepare and pay for college or career school
- FinAid External Link - Information on financial aid for college and tips on how to help ease the burden of college expenses
- Student Loans Info External Link - Get the latest information on student loan news and learn how interest rates could impact your student loan payment after college
- Avoid Scholarship Scams External Link - Learn about a variety of scholarship scams and how to determine a fake scholarship from a real one
- Become Scholarships External Link - Scholarship search for underserved populations
- District 211 Scholarships External Link - For high school students attending William Fremd High School, Palatine High School, or other District 211 schools
- FastWeb Scholarships & Grants External Link - Find unique college scholarships, grants, internships, college tips and more — 100% FREE
- FinAid Scholarship Search External Link - Featured scholarship lists, winning scholarship tips, and how to spot scholarship scams
- Peterson’s Scholarship Search External Link - Search for scholarships, grants, prizes, fellowships, and more
- U.S. Grants External Link - Information on U.S. grants like the Pell Grant and more
- Veterans Benefits Administration: GI Bill External Link - If you qualify, apply for VA education and training benefits online, in person, or request an application over the phone
- Vocational School Scholarships External Link - Advice and resources for trade/vocational school scholarships
- Disability Resources External Link - Learn how to take advantage of services and rights of students with disabilities
- Go College External Link - Survive college life with info on topics like financial responsibilities, study tips, dealing with dorm life, and more
- Minority Student Resources External Link - Tap into all available resources to college-seeking or enrolled minority students
- Success in College Guide External Link - Step-by-step guide to make the most out of college including identifying goals, managing time, getting around roadblocks, and more
- What to Bring to College External Link - List of things that will likely come in handy during the year
- Apprenticeship Finder External Link - Discover available apprenticeships to earn paid, relevant workplace experience while acquiring the skills and credentials for your career
- Career Planning External Link - Find internship programs and helpful information on internship interview questions
- Graduating Students Career Resources External Link - Career development advice for recent college grads
- Job Seeker Resources - Need help with your job search? Find job listings, resume building, cover letter examples, unemployment info, and more
- Small Business Resources - Are you an entrepreneur or need help with your small business? Find tools for your business plan, licenses, marketing, and more
Use these helpful guides to excel at every step of the college application process.
Application Process
Admission Essays & Statements
Admission Interview
Letters of Recommendation
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America's News: EducationUse from home Library Card Required Current and archived full-text articles from news sources nationwide. Browse current college and university issues. |
Popular College & University Topics
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Method Learning Test PrepUse from home Library Card Required Comprehensive self-paced lessons and resources that help students prepare for, and score higher on, the SAT and ACT. Preview Titles External LinkHow to access External LinkLibby App Internal app download page Have the mobile app? |
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Points of View Reference CenterUse from home Library Card Required A balance of materials from all viewpoints about controversial issues regarding colleges and universities. |
Recommended Searches
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Weiss Financial RatingsUse from home Library Card Required lan for your college goals with guidance toward your finances. Easy to understand guides to help you evaluate, plan, and fund your path to college. |
If you didn't find what you needed on this page, we have more resources for homework, test prep for students, career advancement, and more.
Homework Resources
Find databases, learning tools, and news to help with your homework needs including researching topics, essay writing, preparing for presentations, finding primary sources, and more.
Test Prep for Students
Need to cram for an exam but don't know where to start? Find tools to help you prepare for upcoming tests including resources for driving tests, ACT, SAT, AP tests, and more.
Career Advancement
Find tools to help you develop your career plan, enhance your workplace and technology skills, and even improve your work-life balance.
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9th Grade Checklist External Link
For college-bound freshmen and their parents. -
10th Grade Checklist External Link
For sophmores looking to stay on the right track towards college and their parents. -
11th Grade Checklist External Link
For juniors diving into college prep. Broken into seasonal checklists. -
12th Grade Checklist External Link
For seniors who have thier eyes on the college finish line. -
Last-minute Checklist External Link
For anyone who has been accepted at a college and is starting classes soon but hasn’t applied for financial aid yet.
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