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The Top 10 Websites for Pre-Collegiettes to Surf

Looking for the best advice to help you prepare for college? Check out the top ten online resources for pre-collegiettes across the country! We’ve covered everything from college rankings, to the real deal on being a freshman, to the most up-to-date fashion trends on campuses nationwide.

1. College Confidential
One of the most popular and useful resources for the pre-collegiette, College Confidential provides information about different schools, how to apply, financial aid, and the social life on different campuses. Look for the “Tell Us What You Want!” section at the bottom of their homepage; they’ll match you up with a list of schools based on your preferences in areas such as location, Greek life, sports, and majors! You can also join their message boards where you can hear from other prospective students, current students, and parents of students about applications, academics, and campus life.

2. Unigo
This site provides excellent student reviews of different colleges and on-demand advice from college counselors. Unigo powers the US News & World Report college rankings, so they’ve got tons of accurate, helpful information for you and your family when it comes to the application process! When you go to their homepage, type in the name of your desired school to view its profile! You’ll have access to basic information such as class size and tuition fees, but you’ll also get to read the opinions of actual students. The academics, student life, school stereotypes, and the campus atmosphere are just a few of the things that students discuss on this useful site. Be sure to check out campus pics for the schools you can’t visit in person! One of Unigo’s best resources is their on-demand expertise from college counselors across the country. Sign up to talk to them online or take advantage of their video sessions!

3. College Prowler
Want the inside scoop on the schools on your list? College Prowler has report cards for schools across the nation. The site provides grades for each college’s diversity, athletics, Greek life, weather, and much more. You can compare schools and see which ones rank higher according to your preferences! It’s a one-stop shop for information on each school’s admissions process, tuition costs, scholarships, academics, and student life.

4. Huffington Post High School
Huffington Post recently launched a High School section that features blog posts and slideshows by and for high school students. Whether your interests lie with politics or princesses, you’re bound to find well-written, intriguing content. The site is unique in that their content is all written by high school students, many of whom likely share your point of view, which makes this site an engaging, relatable read.

5. Seventeen’s Freshman 15
Seventeen magazine is usually your go-to source for fashion, beauty, and love advice, but they’ve also got a section for tips on college life! Seventeen’s “Freshman 15” will give you the scoop on what to expect in your first year of college. They’ve picked 15 college freshmen to write blogs, send videos, and give tips. Read about what it’s really like making friends in college, decorating your dorm, earning money before going to school, and much more! Check out this great resource brought to you by your peers!

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6. Fastweb 
Finding scholarships can sometimes be tricky during the application process; check out Fastweb for helpful information on how to pay for school! Their site has links to a large variety of scholarships – just sign up and they’ll send you matches according to your interests. They also feature news articles and different resources about financial aid and how to apply for it.

7. My College Calendar 
This site gives you a step-by-step plan for the college application process. My College Calendar breaks it down year-by-year and month-by-month. Click on the Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior tabs to see get a detailed to-do list for each month of the year. They also provide links to important forms for financial aid and tips on how to write college essays. It’s a great resource to help you stay organized and on top of the application process by planning ahead!

8. US News and World Report
US News is the most well known website for accurate college rankings. Visit the site for a quick look at liberal arts colleges, universities, and up-and-coming schools. You’ll also find links to articles with tips for interviews, writing essays, and securing teacher recommendations.

9. College Fashion 
This blog is great for the fashion-forward pre-collegiette. The site discusses how to live a fashionable college lifestyle, with ideas on how to decorate your dorm room for the holidays to comprehensive lists of the most important pieces every college girl needs in her wardrobe. They even inform readers about upcoming sales and coupons, so you can stay fashionable on a budget!

10. Her Campus
Last, but definitely not least, Her Campus is your go-to source for collegiette advice on love, life, school, health, and career! Be sure to look for new articles in our pre-collegiette section every week; we’ve got lots of tips on how to prepare for your first year at school and how to avoid a super stressful application process! advice on love, life, school, health, and career! Be sure to look for new articles in our pre-collegiette section every week; we’ve got lots of tips on how to prepare for your first year at school and how to avoid a super stressful application process!

Lauren is a sophomore at Wellesley College majoring in Political Science and Theater Studies. She is originally from Princeton, New Jersey, and enjoys any ice cream flavor with the word "coffee" in it. When she is not writing for Her Campus or satiating her constant need to read fashion and health magazines, Lauren can be found watching the latest MARVEL film, reading restaurant reviews, dancing, singing, or expanding her itunes library. Lauren loves Russian literature, the Food Network, and Jennifer Aniston, and hopes to one day find a career that marries her passions for the entertainment, fashion, and journalism industries.