The following resources are mentioned in this Handbook, or are recommended by parents. This list is not meant to be exhaustive. Libraries, bookstores, and the Internet are great resources for finding materials that may be even more specific to your needs.

A note of caution regarding websites: Online resources are an excellent source for college information, but be wary of “.com” sites. For example, there is a “FAFSA.com” site which states it will fill out your FAFSA form, but for a price. The federal government’s FAFSA site and other federal educational websites end in “.ed.gov ”, and California government sites end in “.ca.gov”. The information on these government sites is offered free and their publications are also free. Nonprofit organizations end in “ org ” and are more reputable than “.com ” sites. However, there may be a charge for certain services with “.org” sites.

For more information on California colleges, visit the following websites:

University of California system http://www.ucop.edu
California State University system http://www.calstate.edu or http://www.csumentor.edu
California Community Colleges http://www.cccco.edu
To apply online http://www.cccapply.org
Association of Independent California http://www.aiccu.edu
Colleges and Universities (AICCU)
Overview of California colleges http://www.californiacolleges.edu

University of California 2004–2005 “Introducing the University” is a booklet available in the Counseling Office. It provides details about UC admissions requirements and information about selection criteria used by each UC campus. For each campus there is a list of the majors offered and a list of important phone numbers.

Gathering Information on Colleges:

The College Application Handbook for Seniors/Juniors and their Parents
        (Published locally; available in the Counseling Office for $10. Click on link for Table of Contents.)
The College Board Handbook
The Fiske Guide to Colleges
The Multicultural Student’s Guide to Colleges
Colleges that Change Lives, Loren Pope
The Black Student’s Guide to Colleges
Looking Beyond the Ivy League: Finding the College That is Right for You, Loren Pope
Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges (24th edition)

Colleges pay to be included in the following books:

Princeton Review Complete Book of Colleges
Peterson’s College and University Almanac
Peterson’s Four–Year Colleges
Peterson’s Competitive Colleges
Making a Difference College and Graduate Guide: Outstanding Colleges to Help You Make a Better World

Website Information on Colleges (not all colleges may be listed on each site):

http://www.collegeview.com
take virtual tours; how to make the most of your college experiencew

http://www.collegelink.com
College Link

http://www.collegenet.com
college applications for 1500 colleges

http://www.commonapp.org
download the Common Application (private schools)

http://www.sciencewise.com/molis
Minority Online Information Service

http://www.collegeboard.com
Comprehensive site; details about colleges and comparisions

http://collegeispossible.com
Excellent comprehensive site for college search and application

http://www.myroad.com
College Board sponsored site. $19.95 registration fee for one year membership. Very comprehensive.

http://mycollegeoptions.com
Extensive information about college preparation, financing

Good Books to Read:

Letting Go: A Parent’s Guide to Understanding the College Years, Karen Coburn and Madge L Treeger
Questions and Answers to 100,000 Admission Questions, Jean Fetter
The Public Ivys, Richard Moll
Playing the Private College Admissions Game, Richard Moll
The College Admissions Mystique, Bill Mayher
The Albany High Counseling Office
The AHS Counseling office has a terrific library with wonderful resources. The below–mentioned pamphlets, mentioned throughout this Handbook, are also available.
University of California 2004–2005 “Introducing the University”
Taking the SAT I: Reasoning Test
SAT Program Registration Bulletin: SAT I and SAT II
Taking the SAT II: Subject Tests
Preparing for the ACT Assessment
ACT Student Registration Packet
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available in November
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE Registration Guide
NCAA Guide for the College Bound Student Athlete
University of California 2003–2004 Application for Undergraduate Admission and Scholarships GPA Verification Form
Cal State University Application

Financial Aid:

http://www.collegeboard.com Phone: 1–800–778–6888
SAT registration, SAT prep and CSS/PROFILE online

http://www.csac.ca.gov
California student aid commission information

http://www.ed.gov/offices/OPE
U.S. Dept. of Education Office of Post Secondary Education

http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/Students/
Department of Education Federal Student Aid; obtain FAFSA online

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov
electronic application for FAFSA

http://www.fastweb.com
search engine with access to information on 600,000 scholarships

http://www.finaid.org
The smart student guide to financial aid. Overview of financial aid process; contains financial aid calculator

http://www.nelliemae.com
Information on FFELPÑFederal Family Education Loan Programs and privately funded loans for students and families.

http://www.salliemae.com
Stafford, PLUS and Consolidated Loans (federal loans) CSS PROFILE / contains online financial aid calculator 1–800–778–6888

http://www.collegeboard.com
Federal Student Aid Information Center 1–800–433–3243

http://www.ed.gov/OSFAP

Information on 529 plans and general financial aid information:

Paying for College Without Going Broke, Kalman S. Chany
Complete Family’s Guide to College Financial Aid, Richard Black (a clear, well–written 1995 book that is useful but somewhat outdated and is out of stock at the publisher but available at libraries)
Consumer Reports, “The College Challenge” (Aug. 1998, pp. 27–32) (comparative information on financial aid)

SAT and ACT:

ACT test information
http://www.act.org

College Board information on SAT I and SAT II
http://www.collegeboard.com

Taking the SAT I: Reasoning Test

SAT Program Registration Bulletin: SAT I and SAT II

Taking the SAT II: Subject Tests

Preparing for the ACT Assessment

ACT Student Registration Packet

10 Real SATs (find in bookstores like Barnes Noble, or order directly from College Board)

The Student–Athlete

NCAA Guide for the College–Bound Student–Athlete

Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse
P.O. Box 4044
Iowa City, IA 52243–4044

For a free copy, call 1–800–638–3731, or pick up at the counseling office For an on–line copy: http://www.ncaa.org/library/general.html#cbsa

NCAA’s home page: http://www.ncaa.org eligibility and recruitment: http://www1.ncaa.org/membership/membership_svcs/eligibility–recruiting/index.html

For other questions call toll free 1–877–262–1492

If you are not a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident and do not currently possess a green card, visa, or other legal documentation, you are considered an undocumented immigrant.

Being an undocumented student does not prohibit you from applying to college or receiving financial assistance. AB 540 was created to help immigrant students pursue higher education. For more inforamtion in both English and Spanish please click on the highlighted link: AB 540 Packet Handbook.