Admission Matters: What Students and Parents Need to Know About Getting into College, 2nd Edition

by Sally P. Springer (University of California, Davis); Jon Reider (University High School, San Francisco, CA); Marion R. Franck

• ISBN13: 9780470570210
• ISBN10: 0470570210
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2009-08-01
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

The updated edition of the must-have resource for any student applying to collegeThis thoroughly revised and updated edition of the bestselling book Admission Matters demystifies the college application process and offers practical advice for choosing the right school, writing an effective essay, navigating financial aid, and more. This handy resource will help any college-bound student whether they attend well-funded private schools or cash-strapped public schools. Filled with helpful suggestions, ideas, and advice, the new edition also includes tips for home-schooled students who are preparing to attend college. Helps all students who are applying to college understand the process and find the school that fits their needs Expanded information on testing, early decision/early action, applying as a home schooler, and tackling the dreaded college essay Up-to-date advice on financial aid in tough economic times how it works and how to maximize your chances of getting aid Authors bring the multiple viewpoints of college admissions officer, high school counselor, and parent of college-bound studentsThis book gives any college-bound student the information they need to make the application process run smoothly.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Why Has College Admissions Become So Competitive?

It Used to Be Simple . . . But Not Anymore

Which Colleges Are the Most Selective?

Why So Much Interest in Such a Small Group of Colleges?

The Importance of Fit

The Rankings Game

Concerns About Rankings

Why Are Rankings So Popular?

Looking Ahead

What Do Selective Colleges Look for in an Applicant?

How College Admissions Has Changed

What Matters Now

The Academic Record

Standardized Tests

Engagement Beyond the Classroom: The Extracurricular Record

Personal Qualities: The Person Behind the Paper

Hooks

Fitting It All Together

How Do Colleges Make Their Decisions?

Who Works in Admissions?

Ambassadors and Gatekeepers

What Happens to Your

File?

Tentative Decisions

Making the Final Decision

Building the Freshman Class

The Role of Your High School Counselor

A Few Words About Independent College

Counselors

The Parents' Role

How Colleges (and Students) Differ: Finding What Fits

So Many Choices: How Do You Begin?

Some Questions to Ask Yourself

Liberal Arts

Colleges

Research Universities

What's in a Name?

Other Types of Four-Year

Institutions

Which Kind of College Is Best for You?

Curriculum and Requirements

Colleges with Special Affiliations

The Intangibles

What Makes for a Quality

Undergraduate Experience?

Getting the Information You Need

Where Should You Apply?

Start at Your Counseling Office

The College Visit

Selectivity and Your College List

Determining Your Chances

Some Cautions About Data

Self-Assessment and

Research: The Keys to a Good College List

A Word About Finances

The Big Tests

The SAT

Considering the ACT

Which Test Should You Take?

Test-Optional Schools

The Special Case of Special Accommodations

The SAT Subject Tests

A Special Word to Parents About Standardized Tests

A Postscript on the Future of Standardized Testing

Deciding About Early Decision and Other Early Options

The Pros and Cons of Early Decision

Early Action

Should You Apply Early Decision or Early Action?

More Things to Consider

Applying Well: Part I

Getting Off to a Good Start

Using the Common Application

Writing an Effective

Personal Essay

An Important To-Do List

Applying Well: Part II

Getting Great Letters of Recommendation

Shining in Your Interview

Highlighting

What You've Accomplished

Special Talents

The Student Athlete

Tips for

Homeschoolers

You've Finished Your Applications-Now What?

Paying the Bill

How Do Colleges Determine Your Financial Need?

The Verification Process

Why

Do Need-Based Packages Diff er from College to College?

How Can You Estimate Your

Financial Need?

What Goes into a Financial Aid Package?

How Is Your Package Put

Together?

Will Your Need for Financial Aid Affect Your Chances of Admission?

What About Merit-Based Aid?

Financial Aid and Your Decisions

Another Word

About Early Decision

Planning Ahead When Your Child Is Young

A Special Note

About Financial Aid in Tough Times

Making Your Decision After the Colleges Make Theirs

How Will You Be Notified?

The Special Case of Early Decision

When It Is Your Turn

to Decide

Spring Admits

Taking Another Look

Revisiting Financial Aid

How Wait-Lists Work

A Word About Senioritis

Celebrate and Enjoy!

What Matters Most: Advice to Parents and Students

Some Parting Thoughts for Parents

Some Parting Thoughts for Students

Epilogue

Appendixes

College Research Worksheet

Common Application 2009-10

Sample Student Information Sheet for Letters of Recommendation

Financial Aid Comparison Worksheet

Cost of Attendance Worksheet

College Preparation Time Line

Glossary

Resources

Notes

About the Authors

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.