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American Colleges and Universities Before you pick a college or university in the U.S., you must spend some time researching. There is so much information available, you can do a lot of checking all by yourself. These resources will get you started, and help you find the place that is the best for you. Remember, when you choose a college, you are not just choosing a school: you are selecting a football or basketball team, a place to party, a whole set of guys (or girls), restaurants and clubs where you will hang out, and a home away from home where you can do what you want without parental interference. These are not choices to take lightly. Web:
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Canadian Colleges and Universities I am a veteran of two Canadian universities. As an undergraduate, I studied at the University of Waterloo, in Waterloo, Ontario, 60 miles (90 kilometers) west of Toronto where I grew up. While I was a student, I co-founded the Ontario Public Interest Research Group, OPIRG, the first such group in Canada. (The original group is now called WPIRG.) I also had my own radio show (at Radio Waterloo), lived in a co-op dorm (the WCRI Phillip Street Co-op, building A2), and studied a lot of math and computer science. Later, after going to graduate school in California, I returned to a Canadian university, the University of Toronto, to go to medical school. Would you like to have a rich, happy, successful, fulfilling life? Maybe you too should go to a Canadian university. If so, the time to get started is now. Web:
College Admissions The Net has many kinds of help for college-bound students. You'll find all types of information, including answers to a lot of questions that may be confusing you. If you want to go to college, but you need to know more about the whole process, these Web sites are a good place to start. If you want to talk to other people and ask questions, try the Usenet group. Web:
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College Admissions Tests You can't get far into the college system without taking some type of admission test. And the further you want to go, the more tests you need to take. (I am a survivor of the Canadian version of the SAT, as well as the GRE and the MCAT.) To do well on such tests, there is a lot you can do to prepare. These Web sites will help you. Web:
College Magazines Are you looking for a diversion from studying? (Of course you are.) Try these online college magazines where you can spend hours reading articles about current events, relationships, academic life, relationships, employment, relationships, money, relationships, travel, relationships, music, relationships, movies and relationships. I enjoy reading these magazines as they bring back memories of some of the best moments of my life. (You do know this is the best part of your life, don't you?) Web:
College Student Guides and Manuals Perfection is not a bad goal. (It's always worked for me.) So if you want to be an ideal student, here are a few guides that can help you. Learn how to make the transition from high school to college, how to deal with various problems you may encounter in college, and how to make your time at the university go as smoothly as possible. Web:
College Talk and General Discussion These are great discussion groups for students and professors in college, and for anyone thinking about attending college. Anything related to colleges and universities is okay: school reputations, good courses to take, grading, taking exams, study habits, professors, university politics, and so on. Usenet:
College-Related Resource Collections Being in a university or college is a way of life that lasts for at least a few years. During that time, you live in a world that has its own values, goals, culture and activities. There is a huge amount of college-related resources on the Net. Start here, and you'll find a lot: not just information, but people to talk with and ideas to ponder. Web: Community Colleges The United States has -- aside from universities -- a great many post-secondary schools known as community colleges or two-year colleges. These schools have a wide variety of programs: academic studies leading to a diploma, vocational training, preparation for university, developmental education, and so on. If you are planning to apply to such a school, why not check it out over the Net first? You can find information on just about every community college in the U.S. Web:
Essays and Term Papers I like to write, but I have to admit, it's hard work, especially if you want to do it well. Although I have been a professional writer since 1984, I didn't write essays as a university student (although I did solve 4,350,893 math problems). However, my experience is atypical. In order to get through college, you are probably going to have to write your fair share of essays, and then some. There are places on the Net where you can find lots and lots of essays, already written, ready for the taking. Should you do so? Well, I'm a straightforward guy, so let me tell you the truth. Lots of people use pre-written essays and pass them off as their own. However, I strongly recommend you do your own work. Over the years, you will have an enormous advantage if you can write well, and the only way to learn how to write is to practice. So look at these essays if you want ideas and guidance. But, in my opinion, anyone who doesn't do his or her own work is a short-sighted fool. (Teachers: I recommend you become familiar with the essays in your subject area that are available for free on the Net. This will help you catch the plagiarists among your young ones.) Web:
Fraternities and Sororities Do you feel out of touch? Does your life suffer because of a lack of partying, hazing, goofing off, and long hours of dressing for social success? You may be one step away from social fulfillment. Join a frat or sorority, and make friends for the rest of your life (or until you graduate, whichever comes first). Web: Usenet:
Graduate Schools If you've gone through college and you still just can't get enough of going to school, think about applying for graduate school. You will have much more intellectual stimulation and be admired by all the undergraduate students (who will worship you as a matter of course). These Web sites contain information about graduate schools in the United States along with contact information. The Usenet groups offer a place for grad students or grad student wannabes to talk about applying for graduate schools, attending graduate schools, and so on. Personally, I had a lot more fun as a graduate student than as an undergraduate. Web:
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Higher Education Resources Newsletter Keep up with the latest cool resources valuable to the higher education community. This newsletter comes out once a month and announces new Internet resources such as online tutorials and courses, interesting Web sites, mailing lists and Internet books in print. Web:
Honors Programs Are you looking for a college that will challenge your scholastic prowess with an honors program? As you are shopping for a place to spend the next four (or five or ten) years, check out this list of links to colleges that offer honors programs. Web:
Lecture Hall This is an absolutely fabulous resource. All over the world, professors are putting their lecture notes on the Net. This site is a directory of online lecture notes and course materials for many different subjects. If you are a student, you can check to see what is available for courses like the ones you are taking. If you are thinking of taking a course, you can get a preview by looking at the notes from similar courses. I like to browse, just to learn about many different subjects, especially the ones I never studied formally. Web:
Literature Study Guides It is the mark of a great work of literature that you can read it over and over, and get something new from it each time. In fact, it is these types of novels that we prize over all others. Unfortunately, when you study such a book in school, you are rarely given enough time to understand the book well. One way to augment your work is to use a study guide, a summary in which the most important themes and characters of a novel are discussed and put into perspective. My suggestion is to look at the study guide twice: first, before you read the book, in order to help you understand what you should be looking for as you read, and after you read the book, to help you appreciate the themes and solidify your ideas. Web:
Online Courses and Distance Learning Now that we have the Net, just about anything that has to do with information is within your reach. If you've been thinking about taking a university course, check with these sites where you can find comprehensive lists of courses that are taught online. Many different schools now offer such courses, so there's a good chance you'll find what you want. Web:
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Religious Colleges If you would like to attend a religous college, check out these Web sites. Take some time and search for the ones that meet your criteria. You will find that there are a lot more religious colleges than you might think, so it is a good idea to prepare well and make an informed search. With a little work, you can find the school that is just right for you. Web:
Residential Colleges Going to college is a much better way to get away from your family than getting married. So why not go all the way and pick a place that's halfway across the world? Imagine studying in a place where the food makes you ill and nobody speaks your language. Check in the Directory of Residential Colleges to find the perfect place for yourself. Web:
Scholarships and Financial Aid Want some free money or even some cheap money? Get the scoop on how to pay your way through college by filling out forms for money. Learn about student financial aid, as well as information about specialized schools like grad school, law school and medical school. My advice is to get as much free money as you can, and borrow as little as possible. Web:
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Student Affairs At a university, the euphemism "student affairs" refers to a wide variety of activities such as counseling services, student activism, fraternities, clubs, organizations, etc. (Actually, the "etc." is the most fun.) Web:
Studying Abroad What better excuse is there to go to another country and have adventures than to tell your parents that the whole thing is educational? Think of all the stories you will have to tell when you return and, best of all, when you get back, all your friends will be jealous and your parents will recognize you as being a totally mature human being. Web:
University Residence and Housing Before you go away to college, scope out the various places to live on campus. I lived in a co-op residence (a sort of dorm) in my first year as an undergraduate, and I liked it a lot. This Web site has links to many college residency and housing sites. Most of them include information on residence halls, dining, housing policies and rates. Web:
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