Resources and Links
Amber Lights will help you find the right resources for your unique questions.
Apply to Many Schools Using One Platform
Streamline your approach and save you valuable resources by using shared college application platforms. You can also apply directly to many colleges using their unique applications. Amber Lights will help you decide what works best for you! NOTE: This is not an exhaustive list.
Common App (used by more than 800 colleges and universities)
Coalition for College (used by more than 150 colleges and universities)
Common Black Colleges Application (CBCA) (used by 60 colleges and universities)
University of California Application (used by 9 public universities)
applySUNY (used by many colleges in the state of New York--included Fashion Institute of Technology, Stony Brook University, and many other state universities and colleges)
CUNY Application (City University of New York has 25 Colleges located across their 5 boroughs in NYC)
University of Minnesota's "Share My App" (used by 5 Universities in Minnesota, but you must begin your application with the Twin Cities first)
Paying for College
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CSS Profile Some colleges and universities have institutional funds to provide need based assistance to students. They may require you to complete the CSS Profile at the time of application. See participating college or universities here. ​
Local Merit-Based Scholarships: Here are just a couple in the Central Minnesota Area:
Global Scholarships usually involve some sort of competition. They are available to everyone across the planet and usually have age ranges. Breakthrough Junior Challenge, for example, is for students who are 13-18 years old. Check it out! Application opens April 1.
Colleges Merit-based Scholarships often do not require an additional application. After you have been accepted to the college, your application may be forwarded onto to a scholarship committee who will then decide on award. However, it's important to check to see if the school has additional scholarships that require an application.
For International Students, Affidavit of Support and other Bank Documents may be needed at the time of application. Other schools will ask you to complete these documents only after you have been accepted to their program and decided to attend.
Amber Lights will help you sort out your required financial documents and deadlines for submission.
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Transcript Evaluation Companies
Did you attend school outside of the United States? If so, US Colleges and Universities may require you to have your transcripts sent to a credential evaluation company. Here is a list of well-known companies used by US Colleges and Universities to evaluate transcripts.
English Proficiency Testing Sites
US Colleges and Universities vary on requirements related to English Proficiency. Check with each university to know what they will accept. In some cases, you may even be exempt from having to take any of these tests. Contact Amber Lights to find out more!
Build Your College List
To build your college list, it's important to consider a number of factors, such as, size of school, majors offered, research and internship offerings, location of school, scholarships and financial aid, student life, extracurricular opportunities, and values and/or religious perspectives to which the school espouses. Amber Lights will help you to develop your list based on your interests and your profile. You can also start doing your research today with these resources.
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