Demystifying the process of completing a college application Written by two former admissions officers at top universities and current admissions coaches, this book is a must-have for preparing a winning college application. The authors reveal the mystery behind what college admissions officers are looking for and show applicants how to leverage their credentials, stand out in the over-crowded applicants' pool, and make a genuine, memorable impression. This is the book that will help the college-bound get off the "like many others" pile and onto the acceptance list. Includes instructions and examples for every component of the college application, from writing the essay to answering questions like "Why do you want to go to College X?" Shows how to avoid underestimating the importance of critical features on any application Includes the latest information on the Common Application 4.0 and corrects outdated, holdover advice still stressed in many other books This book is filled with step-by-step advice that students and parents can use immediately and will refer to again and again.

This alternative college guide from a former Dartmouth assistant admissions director-turned-consultant gives non-straight-A students advice on the many options available to them and tips on how to identify, gain admittance to, and pay for the schools that will allow them to flourish. Less-than-perfect grades? No problem! Contrary to popular opinion, you don’t need to have a 4.0 GPA or a perfect jump shot to get into a good college. This insider’s guide reveals easy tweaks that will pay off big-time in showing admissions officers that you as a whole—not just your SAT scores—are a perfect fit for their incoming class. With stellar advice on getting into schools that will allow you to thrive, this handbook reveals how to: Find great colleges that are a good match for your strengths (and will overlook less-relevant weaknesses) Painlessly beef up your application Tailor extracurriculars to showcase your uniqueness Make sure your recommendation letters emphasize the right qualities Write original essays that reveal traits beyond your transcript Make an impression on admissions officers and college interviewers Create an early-admissions strategy to increase your likelihood of acceptance Help your chances if you’re deferred Get into brand-name schools through the side door Communicate about learning disabilities or special circumstances Get scholarship money based on attributes other than grades Customize your financial aid strategy BONUS: Includes an appendix of 130+ selective colleges to consider!

It's back to school time and for high school seniors it's time to start applying to college! Are you ready? The author will take you behind the college admission curtain and teach you: - The 5 must have's that every college admission office is looking for in an applicant - The biggest mistakes that most applicants make and how to avoid them - How to help your teen tell their story throughout their entire application so that they stand-out among the hundreds of thousands of other students. - The truth behind getting scholarships and reducing the cost of college - How to navigate life with a college student and the changes that it brings

THE COLLEGE APPLICATION ESSAY, MADE EASY. This user-friendly guide gives struggling students the step-by-step writing help they need to perfect the writing on their college applications, from the all-important personal essays to the supplemental material like short answer questions and resumes. Applying to college can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to crafting the perfect application. There’s a lot of pressure to submit something unique and cohesive. This book takes you from blank page to submitted application with step-by-step guidance on the most effective ways to complete this daunting process! We’ve packed these pages with practical exercises and annotated samples that model good and bad techniques, and included tips from real admissions officers. This complete guide provides: • A firsthand look into different review processes, plus editing guidelines to help you think like an essay reader • Step-by-step methods for breaking down a prompt • Brainstorming techniques to help you find the right story to share • Tried-and-true advice to get you outlining and drafting your essay with confidence • Annotated essays to demonstrate writing dos and don’ts • Guidance on additional written content (like short answer questions and resumes) for a completely polished application

In real life, Stevens is a professor at Stanford University. But for a year and a half, he worked in the admissions office of a bucolic New England college known for its high academic standards, beautiful campus, and social conscience. Ambitious high schoolers and savvy guidance counselors know that admission here is highly competitive. But creating classes, Stevens finds, is a lot more complicated than most people imagine.

Make sure you’re preparing with the most up-to-date materials! Look for The Princeton Review’s newest edition of this book, The Best 388 Colleges, 2023 Edition (ISBN: 9780593450963, on-sale August 2022). Publisher's Note: Products purchased from third-party sellers are not guaranteed by the publisher for quality or authenticity, and may not include access to online tests or materials included with the original product.

Learn the secrets to become a highly desirable candidate. Discover the purpose of the essay and what admission officers are looking for. Recognize what not to do so you don't waste valuable time. Learn to set yourself apart from all the other applicants with step by step explanations delivered with humor as well as numerous examples from successful students. "Perfect for parents and students...clear command of the material... obvious expertise...can't recommend highly enough. Engaging and funny... " Terrence Hinson, Assistant Principal: Northport High School, NY "A strength of your approach to college application essays should not be undervalued. You take an often-overwhelming project and make it feel approachable, staying consistent with what we hear colleges want" Matthew P. Spatz, Director of Guidance: Northern Valley Regional High School District, NJ