Student Resources
Free tools, practice tests, application platforms, and guides — all in one place to help you succeed.
Standardized Tests
These are the primary standardized tests required by most U.S. universities. Free, high-quality prep is available — use these resources daily.
The official SAT practice partner with College Board. Personalized practice plans, full-length practice tests, video lessons, and thousands of problems with explanations.
Visit Khan AcademyOfficial SAT practice tests and sample questions directly from the test maker. Includes the full-length Bluebook digital practice tests for the current SAT format.
Visit College BoardHighly rated question bank with detailed explanations for every answer. Great for targeted practice on weak areas. Free trial available with limited questions.
Visit UWorldOfficial free ACT prep from the test maker. Includes practice questions, full-length practice tests, and personalized study paths for all four ACT sections.
Visit ACT AcademyA massive collection of real past ACT tests with answer keys. One of the best resources for practicing with actual test papers and tracking your score improvement.
Visit CrackACTStrengthen your math foundations from algebra through calculus. Essential for scoring well on the math sections of both the SAT and ACT.
Visit Khan Academy MathEnglish Proficiency
Most U.S. universities require proof of English proficiency. The TOEFL and Duolingo English Test are the two most widely accepted options.
Official TOEFL preparation from ETS. Includes free practice tests, sample questions for all four sections (reading, listening, speaking, writing), and scoring guides.
Visit ETS TOEFLFree templates, sample essays, speaking practice questions, and strategies from experienced TOEFL instructors. Great for learning the test format and scoring rubrics.
Visit TOEFL ResourcesA cheaper, faster alternative to TOEFL accepted by 5,000+ institutions. Take it from home on your computer in under an hour. Results in 48 hours. Free practice test available.
Visit Duolingo English TestTake the official free practice test as many times as you want before the real exam. Familiarize yourself with the question types and format to maximize your score.
Take Practice TestHundreds of free articles on TOEFL strategies, vocabulary lists, grammar tips, and practice exercises. Their blog is one of the best free TOEFL resources available online.
Visit MagooshApplications
These are the platforms you'll use to submit your applications. Most U.S. universities accept the Common App. Some also accept the Coalition App or have their own portals.
The most widely used college application platform — accepted by 1,000+ schools including all Ivy League universities. Fill out one application and send it to multiple schools.
Visit Common AppAn alternative to the Common App accepted by 150+ schools. Has a virtual locker to store essays and documents throughout high school. Some schools prefer it.
Visit Coalition AppConnects high-achieving, low-income students with full four-year scholarships to 50 top colleges. The National College Match program can get you a binding full scholarship.
Visit QuestBridgeResearch and compare colleges based on academics, campus life, value, and more. Read student reviews and see acceptance rates, average SAT scores, and financial aid data.
Visit NicheSearch for colleges, explore majors, find scholarships, and get step-by-step guidance on the college planning process from the makers of the SAT.
Visit BigFutureIf you're also considering universities in the United Kingdom, UCAS is the centralized application platform. Apply to up to 5 UK universities through one application.
Visit UCASFunding Your Education
Many top U.S. universities offer need-blind admissions and full financial aid for international students. These resources help you apply for funding.
Required by 400+ colleges to determine financial aid eligibility. International students at schools like Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Princeton must complete this form.
Visit CSS ProfileThe International Student Financial Aid Application — used by some schools that don't require CSS Profile. Check each school's financial aid page to see which form they need.
Learn About ISFAAFull scholarships for academically talented yet economically disadvantaged young people from Africa. Partner universities include Duke, Stanford, and many others.
Visit MasterCard FoundationThe Institute of International Education manages many scholarship programs for international students, including emergency funding and study abroad opportunities.
Visit IIEA large database of scholarships searchable by category, major, and background. Create a profile to get matched with relevant scholarship opportunities.
Visit Scholarships.comU.S. Department of State network providing free advising on studying in the U.S. Find your nearest EducationUSA center for in-person guidance and fee waivers.
Visit EducationUSAPersonal Statement
Your personal essay is one of the most important parts of your application. It's your chance to show who you are beyond grades and test scores.
Ethan Sawyer's comprehensive guide to writing college essays. Free brainstorming exercises, essay structure guides, and example essays that worked for top schools.
Visit College Essay GuyThe official essay prompts for the Common Application. Review all seven prompts carefully and choose the one that lets you tell your most compelling story.
View PromptsRead real admission essays from students accepted to Johns Hopkins. Excellent examples of storytelling, vulnerability, and personal voice in college essays.
Read EssaysPaste your essay to check readability. Highlights complex sentences, passive voice, and hard-to-read passages. Helps you write clearly and concisely.
Visit Hemingway EditorThe largest online community for college applicants. Get peer feedback on essays, ask questions about the application process, and learn from students who got in.
Visit Reddit CommunityLanguage Skills
Strong English skills are essential — not just for tests, but for succeeding in college. Use these resources daily to build your reading, writing, and speaking abilities.
The world's most popular language learning app. Practice English daily with bite-sized lessons covering vocabulary, grammar, listening, and speaking.
Visit DuolingoExcellent free courses, videos, and quizzes from the BBC. Great for improving pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and understanding of English idioms.
Visit BBC Learning EnglishBuild your English vocabulary with adaptive learning. The site learns what you know and challenges you with new words. Essential for SAT reading and writing sections.
Visit Vocabulary.comWatch talks on every topic imaginable with subtitles in multiple languages. Improves listening comprehension, exposes you to academic vocabulary, and sparks ideas for essays.
Watch TED TalksAI-powered writing assistant that checks grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style. Install the browser extension to improve your writing everywhere online.
Visit GrammarlyLearning
Strengthen your academic foundation with free courses from the world's best universities and educators. These resources will help both in your test prep and future coursework.
World-class education for anyone, anywhere. Covers math, science, computing, economics, history, and more. Personalized learning dashboard tracks your progress.
Visit Khan AcademyTake real university courses from Stanford, Yale, Princeton, and more. Audit courses for free to explore subjects you're interested in and strengthen your application.
Visit CourseraFree courses from Harvard, MIT, and 160+ institutions. Take courses in your intended major to demonstrate intellectual curiosity on your applications.
Visit edXFree lecture notes, exams, and videos from MIT courses. Challenge yourself with materials from one of the world's top engineering and science universities.
Visit MIT OCWEntertaining, high-quality video courses on history, science, literature, economics, and more. Great for building broad academic knowledge and preparing for college-level work.
Watch CrashCourseSearch engine for academic papers and research. Use it to find sources for essays, explore topics you're passionate about, and get a head start on college-level research.
Visit Google ScholarInterviews
Some universities offer alumni interviews, and many YLASS students complete InitialView interviews. Preparation is key to presenting your best self.
A video interview platform used by international applicants to showcase English ability and personality. Many top schools accept InitialView interviews. YLASS covers this cost.
Visit InitialViewA curated list of the most frequently asked questions in college admissions interviews. Practice answering these out loud before your interviews.
View QuestionsYale's Office of Career Strategy shares interviewing best practices. Covers how to prepare, what to wear, body language, and how to follow up after interviews.
Read Yale's GuideStay Organized
The college application process involves many deadlines, documents, and moving pieces. These tools will help you stay organized and productive.
Write and edit your essays in Google Docs. It auto-saves, allows easy sharing with mentors for feedback, has a built-in word counter, and works on any device.
Visit Google DocsAll-in-one workspace for notes, task management, and organization. Create a college application tracker to manage deadlines, essays, and requirements for each school.
Visit NotionTrack all your application deadlines, test dates, interview schedules, and study sessions. Set reminders so you never miss an important date.
Visit Google CalendarCreate a professional email address (firstname.lastname@gmail.com) for all college communications. Check it daily — admissions offices will email you important updates.
Visit GmailDesign tool for creating resumes, activity portfolios, and presentation slides. Use professional templates to make your documents stand out.
Visit CanvaComputational knowledge engine that can solve math problems step by step, convert units, and answer factual questions. Great for checking your work while studying.
Visit Wolfram AlphaReady to Start?
These resources are just the beginning. As a YLASS student, you'll get one-on-one mentorship, essay coaching, test prep support, and guidance from students who've been through the entire process.
Apply to YLASS