This article is by Lauren Chen, a sophomore at Wellesley College and contributing writer for HerCampus.  The highschoogle team was honored to find ourselves 4th on the list behind some of our favorite college prep websites.

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. Highschoogle
Highschoogle is a great resource for all high-schoolers. It’s a relatively new site, but they’ve got tons of great information. You can read up on the latest in entertainment, technology, and pop culture, or check out their articles regarding the college application process, healthy lifestyles for young adults, and finding jobs. Their articles are not only for teens, they’re also written by them! The creators of the site are focused on getting you the information you want, from students like you!

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!

Click below to see the next five recommended websites.