Preparing for College

As part of comprehensive college and career readiness planning, students are encouraged to utilize reputable college search engines to explore postsecondary opportunities. These online resources provide detailed information about colleges and universities, including academic offerings, admissions criteria, campus culture, financial aid, and student outcomes. Using these tools supports informed decision-making and helps students identify institutions that align with their academic, personal, and career aspirations.

1. Naviance - help students align their academic efforts with future goals
2. CollegeBoard - not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success
3. The Princeton Review - provides test preparation, tutoring, and college admissions resources

Apply to college for the first time or transfer to complete your degree. Navigate your entire college application journey with Common App.

The Common App is a non-profit, standardized online platform used by over 1,000 colleges and universities worldwide to streamline the undergraduate application process. It allows students to fill out their demographic information, activities, and a personal essay once, and submit them to multiple institutions, significantly simplifying the process of applying to college.

Key features of the Common App include:

• Centralized Application: A single platform for first-year and transfer students to manage applications, deadlines, and required documents.
• Common Essay & Questions: One main essay, combined with university-specific supplements.
• Recommendation Letters: Teachers and counselors can submit letters of recommendation directly to all institutions.
• Cost: The platform is free to use, though schools may charge application fees.
• Availability: The application is available nearly all year, with the new cycle launching on August 1st annually.

Beyond applications, it serves as a resource hub for researching financial aid and scholarships.

Below if a list of trusted scholarship search engines and financial aid websites where students can explore opportunities to reduce the cost of higher education, learn about grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs, and better understand the financial aid application process. Utilizing these resources early and often helps students identify funding opportunities and make informed decisions about financing their college education.

1. FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid 
2. MEFA - Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority
3. Scholarships.com - Find Scholarships for College
4. Degrees for Good - Scholarships and Resources for Students with Disabilities

College entrance exams, such as the SAT and ACT, are an important part of the college admissions process for many students. The Shepherd Hill Guidance Department encourages students to utilize official testing websites to access information about registration, test dates, score reporting, fee waivers, and free test preparation resources. By becoming familiar with testing requirements and preparing in advance, students can approach the college application process with confidence and make informed decisions about meeting admissions requirements.

1. The SAT - Learn useful information about each test and register for the SAT's and score reports to colleges.
2. The AP Exam - Gain access to information about college credits for AP coursework, identify test-taking credits for AP coursework and utilize test-prep materials.
3. ACT - Learn useful information about this popular alternative to the SAT, register for the test, identify test-taking strategies and utilize test-prep materials.
4. Fair Test - Provide a list of college where SAT and/or ACT are optional (verify with schools) and access to articles about the fair use of standardized testing and educational policy.
5. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Measures a non-native speaker's ability to use and understand English at the university level . If you are an ESL student, you will likely have to take either this or the ELPT. Talk to your ESL instructor for details.

For graduates of Shepherd Hill Regional High School, click here to request an official high school transcript through Parchment. Parchment offers this service to make ordering transcripts and/or education verifications easier for you. It's also more efficient for your school, and will deliver your transcripts and/or education verifications to the colleges or employers you choose in the format they prefer. 

For existing Shepherd Regional High School students, please reach out directly to your Guidance Counselor with your request for a copy of your transcript.