Review of the My College Options Website
Web Based Service for Students, Parents and Educators
Sep 2, 2008
Providing high school students with options for college can be a daunting task. Though colleges and universities have a presence on the web, it can be difficult to search through their information to find a school that would be right for a particular student. My College Options collects information about 3,500 accredited colleges and universities in the United States and makes it searchable by categories such as goals, academic and co-curricular interests, location and attitudes.
Creators of My College Options
The National Research Center for College and University Admissions (NRCCUA) provides many services in support of college bound students and academic institutions. Since 1972 the NRCCUA has worked with colleges and universities, high schools, students, parents and various government and private agencies to provide information and assistance. My College Options is a web based search engine and general reference site where students can research their options from one convenient location.
Services Provided Free of Charge
All services are provided free of charge. There is an initial questionnaire students complete either with a teacher or guidance counselor, after which students are provided with a list of academic institutions that match their requirements. These colleges and universities include 2-year and 4-year, public and private institutions from around the United States. Initial results are provided through the high school after which students have access to the web site and can modify their search or explore other educational options.
Site Resources
My College Options is not limited to being a search engine for potential colleges. It also provides students with a variety of resources to assist with preparing for and deciding which college to attend. These resources are in modern formats designed to grab a high school student’s attention.
One of these, Zero Hour Threat, is a video game designed to increase SAT and ACT test scores. The premise of the game is to decode a virus designed to damage the banking industry. It makes studying vocabulary and improving math skills entertaining and fun.
Another resource is a blog. This interactive interface provides students with valuable information about important topics such as paying for college, searching for the right school and what to do to improve admission chances.
Once students have access to the site they also have the opportunity to create a profile. This allows them to collect the information about colleges in one location, upload a picture and even network with others. All of the profile options, as well as any contact the student receives from a college or university, comes under a strict privacy policy designed to protect students’ personal information.
The college search will always be stressful, but My College Options attempts to make it a little easier. Though students can have limited access and create an account without filling out the form at school, they still must have school interaction to completely access all of its benefits. But once the school provides that piece, there is a wealth of useful tools and information available to assist in making that difficult decision.
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