Questions & most answers are provided by my most-informed colleague, Suzanne Shaffer.

Question: What online tools do you recommend for comparing colleges side-by-side?

1. Zinch because you can create a profile, compare colleges and get matched w/colleges and scholarships http://www.zinch.com
2. You can use the College Board’s tool to compare colleges as well http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/index.jsp
3. Some more sites are: http://www.collegeview.com/index.jsp & http://www.collegexpress.com/ & http://www.cappex.com & http://www.collegeconfidential.com

Question: What online tools do you recommend for test prep?

1. For vocabulary prep, @sheldonwordnerd has the BEST online tool available http://www.word-nerd.com
2. Practice tests are imperative so take advantage of them online here http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice & http://www.number2.com/ & http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/index.html
3. Read their blogs & follow on Twitter: @akilbello @sheldonwordnerd @preppedpolished @PWNtheSAT @staceyhowelott
4. Perhaps the most comprehensive and aggressive (it’s all free) test-prep site to date is http://www.testprepauthority.co

Question: What online tools do you recommend for financial aid?

1. The definitive site for financial aid info is http://www.finaid.org/
2. Of course ALL parents should complete the FAFSA http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ to qualify for financial aid
3. Saving for College provides parents with all the info about financial aid http://www.savingforcollege.com/ & lets you compare savings plans

Question: What online resources do you recommend for college visit preparation?

1. Visit college websites and look for video tours and information related to each individual college
2. @collegevisit has all the tools you need to plan, organize and prepare for college visits http://www.smartcollegevisit.com
3. Before the visit you can check out @YOUniversity ’s virtual college tours and even hear from students  http://www.youniversitytv.com/
4. Here’s another cool website that is very helpful and way ahead in the apps area of technology: www.YourCampus360.com

Question: What online tools do you recommend to help with the essay?

1. @vcollegeadvisor has some great essay tips via video: http://videocollegeadvisor.com/7deadly + http://www.videocollegeadvisor.com/great
2. @collegebasics offers some good tips on different essay topics http://www.collegebasics.com/applying-to-college/admissions-essays/
3. @butwait provides a pocket essay editor of 13 tips https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=ah89knd3kmzc_469cq94ghdq
4. If you’re looking for some actual student essay examples, look here http://www.teenink.com/college_guide/college_essays/

Question: Where do you find information about individual college statistics?

1. I like College Navigator because it’s easy to view statistics and compare  http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ 
2. Another great resource for statistics and more is CollegeData http://www.collegedata.com/
3. The College Board also offers a tool to research college information http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/index.jsp