Free College Workbooks
Application resources
Explore over 1000 colleges on the Common App: “Apply to college for the first time or transfer to complete your degree. Navigate your entire college application journey with Common App.”
Niche App: Interested in direct admissions and free applications? Create a Niche account and directly apply and get accepted immediately!
Fillable PDF Fee Waiver Application. More fee waivers are here on the NACAC website
ESSAY RESOURCES
Check out these videos and resources to find out why a personal statement is important and how to write one that reflects who you are.
Video #1: College Essay Application Writing Myths
In this video you will learn about what your audience is looking for in a personal essay, the stakes of a personal essay, and some common personal essay misconceptions.
Videos #2 and #3: A Moment and a Message, Part 1 &2
In these videos you will learn about the difference between a moment and a message, how they are related, and why each is important.
Free Essay Review-Resource found on GEAR Up
Get Schooled Essay Review. Get Schooled is here to help you with your essays for college applications and scholarships. Submit your personal statement, supplemental college application essays, and scholarship essays for feedback and they will provide actionable suggestions and feedback within one week.
Scholarship Junkies Essay Review. Scholarship Junkies was founded by UW alum. They read and provide personalized, detailed feedback on scholarship essays within 48 hours.
Advice on application essays from CollegeBoard: Big future
Tips for Writing an Effective Application Essay (great video here)
TESTING SUPPORT
Resources and websites to help you prepare for college entry
EdReady: accuplacer, ACT & SAT
“If your students are attending a community or technical college, they may require your student to take an exam called the AccuPlacer, and if your students plan on attending a four-year university, they require that you take the SAT or ACT. “EdReady™ can be used to check mastery in a course of study, to plan for college and career opportunities, and to prepare for commonly used placement exams, such as AccuPlacer, SAT, and ACT. High school and GED students, homeschoolers, and adult learners will benefit from EdReady.org.”
EdReady website: https://edready.org/home
Khan Academy: SAT/ACT prep
Visit Khan Academy for free help preparing for SAT and ACT.
Free SAT prep: https://www.khanacademy.org/sat?excmpid=SM48-ED-CB-tw
GED TESTING
Sometimes, highschool isn’t the right path for you. The GED (general education development) test provides you with the academic equivilant of a highschool degree and allow you to take college-level classes.
Free study guides and practice tests: https://ged.com/educators_admins/teaching/classroom_materials/study_guides/
Free GED requirement lessons and general testing advice: https://bestgedclasses.org/online-classes/
GED class and testing place finder: https://bestgedclasses.org/bellingham-washington/
The GED test is broken up into 4 seperate exams (Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science). Each test is $30 in Washington state, totalling a cost of $120.
If you are first gen student feeling weary in this process, here is a pep talk from Michele Obama: