Help Your High School Student Prepare for College

The college application process can be confusing and complicated, its important that high school students are supported through the process. Encourage your student to build their team of adult support by getting involved in an after school program. Click here for information on programs available in Philadelphia.

Educate Yourself

The following websites and guides offer thorough information about preparing for college, paying for college, and selecting a college. This information will give you a solid knowledge base so you know where to get started with your student, and what questions to ask their counselors and teachers.

Step Up to College Guide: is a free annual guide designed just for Philadelphia students. It offers a great overview of all the information students need to know, and has a workbook section to help you and your student get organized. You can download the PDF by clicking the link above, or ask your student’s or your local library for a free hard copy.

KnowHow2Go: offers specific information for each grade of school, middle school through 12th grade.It also has a page for parents and mentors.

EducationPlanner: will help your student plan for college. It provides detailed information on preparing for college and financial aid, and assessment tools that can help students choose a career path and identify their strengths and weaknesses. This is the best site for financial aid information for students who live in Pennsylvania because it is run by the state grant organization, PHEAA.

CollegeBoard: offers a college search engine that allows students to find colleges that match their interests and needs. You can also create an account on CollegeBoard to save colleges they are interested in and keep track of other important information.

Encourage Your Student to Take Charge of Their Academic Success

One of the most important things students can do to prepare for college is succeed in their high school classes. The websites below offer resources to help students improve in difficult subjects or advance further in the subjects they enjoy the most, and provide a chance for them to explore new subjects that aren’t offered in their school.

The Free Library of Philadelphia has an online academic prep center, The Learning Express Library. It offers SAT and ACT preparation and resources to help you improve your math, science, reading, writing, and study skills. To access the site all you need is a library card and your library card pin number. Your parent or guardian can request a library card online, or you can visit your local branch to get one.

Khan Academy is another great resource that offers free online lessons and practice on many different subjects including algebra, history and biology.

 

Make Sure Your Student Connects with Resources in Their School

Students should meet with their counselor regularly and let them know that they want to go to college. When counselors hear about opportunities they may not be able to contact every student to personally inform them, but if they know a student is motivated and working to get ready for college they will be more likely to reach out to them.

It’s also important that your student’s counselor knows them well because college applications require a letter of recommendation from a counselor. If your student’s counselor does not know them it is unlikely that they will be able to write an effective recommendation.

As a parent, you can also meet with your child’s counselor to discuss classes, college or other issues related to your child.

Some Philadelphia high schools are partnered with other programs that support students. The two most common are the College Access Program and Student Success Centers. Ask your student’s counselor, principal, and teachers about programs at their school.

Students can track their grades and tests scores online using StudentNet. School District of Philadelphia students can ask their school counselor for their account password, parents can also register to access their student’s account. Click here to view the tutorial for the parent section, “FamilyNet”.

Click here for more information on school district resources that help students prepare for college.

Connect with Additional College Resources

If your student has tried all the resources in their school and still wants more help and support, the College Access Centers are a great free resource. The centers provide students of all ages with free help applying to college, figuring out how to pay for college, and more.

The Gallery I, Street Level – Center City

9th and Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215.574.1341
Open Monday – Thursday, 10 am – 6 pm; Friday 10 am – 5 pm

The Enterprise Center – West Philadelphia
4548 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19139
215.476.2227
Open Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm

 

Plug into Free Computer Centers

Computers are a necessary tool in the college application and financial aid process. If your student needs to use a computer for homework, college applications, or anything else, they can visit one of Philadelphia’s new computer centers.

These centers are open to anyone and offer free computer and internet access, as well as free classes to help visitors brush up on their computer skills. Centers will be opening across the city over the summer and fall, if there is not yet a center near you check back in a couple months to see if new centers have opened.

The Young People’s Computer Center offers a community space and computer access for young people. The center offers free computer and internet access to students, and free college prep workshops. For more information email chris@mediamobilizing.org or call 215-253-4586.
4205 Chestnut St.
Monday-Wednesday, 3-6 PM
Thursday, 3-8 PM

 

Prepare for the SAT and/or ACT

Many colleges require student to submit scores from a college admissions test with their application. There are two college admissions test, the SAT and the ACT. They have a different format and some people get better scores on one or the other. The SAT tests math, reading, and writing and is broken down into nine-ten sections that are around twenty minutes long. The ACT tests math, reading, writing, and science and is broken down into four longer sections. Both tests are about four hours long.

11th graders will take the PSAT, which is the practice test for the SAT, in school. Students should plan to take the SAT or ACT for the first time in the spring of their junior year in high school. This allows plenty of time for students to study before retaking the test their senior year if their scores are not as good as they would like.

All of these tests cost money to take, but fee waivers are available through many high schools and sometimes through the testing companies. Students should talk to their school counselor for more information on fee waivers. You may also want to check the websites of the SAT and ACT for more information on fees and waivers.

Students must register for the SAT and ACT at least a month before taking the test. Click here for information on registering for the SAT, or here for the ACT.

The SAT and ACT are challenging, but there are many test preparation resources available to students. The websites for both tests offer free online study tools, like practice questions. Many libraries carry copies of SAT and ACT prep books with detailed information, tips, and full length practice tests. Students may find it difficult to study on their own, but it can be as effective as expensive classes if they are disciplined.

Sometimes free SAT and ACT prep classes are offered at different locations around the city. You can search our calendar to find a class that works for your student. Many high schools also offer classes, check with your student’s counselor to see if theirs does.

For low cost individualized help you can contact JEVS, they offer a sliding scale fee for classes and tutoring services.