This is our belief in matching students to colleges – good students will excel anywhere. Your child already has a leg up by attending ASA and has taken the opportunity to develop a unique set of performing arts skills that only a small percentage of graduates possess. Colleges are interested in well-rounded students who have demonstrated curiosity outside the classroom, not just grades and test scores. Relax. There are so many outstanding colleges, universities and programs available. Find the right fit for your child, a place where he or she can continue to prosper.
Create a Preliminary List with Cappex or search these Top 10 Best College Search Websites to find colleges that align with what you are looking for.
Refine your list using Chegg and go to either:
College Profile
Personal Profile
Visit the college. What do you sense when you are there? Energy? Passion for learning? Dynamic environment?
If you cannot visit:
What scholarships, financial aid do they offer?
www.Collegeboard.com Strengths: Can do a filtered search according to what aspects are important to you.
www.cappex.com Strengths: Provides a scattergram to see the profile of college freshman according to GPA and test scores. See where you match academically within the context of the college.
College Greenlight Strengths: Similar to Cappex. Extra focus on first generation (neither parent has a 4-year degree) and underserved students.
www.collegexpress.com Strengths: Has lists of colleges according to various categories.
www.petersons.com Strengths: Great filters. Can filter by major as well. Many helpful resources and articles to guide the process.
www.usnews.com/education – Strengths: Provides national rankings. For a small fee, sign up for the “College Compass” to get the most detailed information about each school.
FairTest.org Gives a list of colleges that are “test optional”. This means they either place little to no importance on the SAT or ACT. That does not mean that you would not take the test, as you want to be able to have choices. But it does inform you to what is not important for possible admissions. Sometimes test scores are still required in these colleges for certain majors, so please be cautious.
Coalition for College Access
Members of the Coalition include a diverse group of public universities that have affordable tuition along with need-based financial aid for in-state residents, and private colleges and universities that provide sufficient financial aid to meet the full, demonstrated financial need of every domestic student they admit. Coalition schools graduate at least 70 percent of their students within six years, with many having much higher graduation rates. The Coalition has signed up over 90 schools so far, and more partners continue to join.
http://coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/
In-State Colleges
AZ Transfer (transferring from a community college to a 4-year college)