What It Really Takes to Get Into Ivy League and Other Highly Selective Colleges

by Hughes, Chuck

• ISBN13: 9780071412599
• ISBN10: 007141259X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-04-09
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education

Summary

The ultimate insider's guide to getting into the nation's most competitive collegesWritten by a former senior admissions officer at Harvard University, this book provides keen insights into what it takes to get into America's top schools. With the help of case studies of successful Harvard applicants, Charles Hughes II defines the goals and mission of highly selective schools. He explains the relative weight given to: Academics Extra-curricular activities Personal qualities Intangibles in the admission processHughes breaks down the components of the application, explaining the significance of each and how they are evaluated. And, drawing upon his extensive experience, he clues readers in on effective ways for applicants to improve their candidacy, including: How to prepare early in high school How to write a better application How to find the school best suited to their interests, personality, and goalsWith this essential guide, students will be able to present their talents in the best light possible, and create a winning college application.

Author Biography

Chuck Hughes is a former senior admissions officer at Harvard University, where he spent several years evaluating thousands of undergraduate applications. Currently director of academic products for Monster.com, he is a Harvard alumnus and makes his home in Boston, Massachusetts.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	ix
Introduction	xi
Part I: College Admissions 101: What Matters to Admissions Offices
A 10,000 Foot View of Selective Admissions	3	(14)
The Long Line to Admission	3	(5)
The Admission Mission: Prepare Leaders for the Twenty-First Century	8	(2)
Universities Don't Just Admit Individuals---They Build Classes	10	(4)
Individual Assessment: The Key Criteria	14	(3)
Academic Assessment: Are Good Grades and Strong SAT Scores Enough?	17	(38)
Analyzing Academic Rigor, GPA, and Class Rank	18	(9)
Standardized Testing	27	(15)
Co-Curricular Programs and Awards	42	(6)
Academic Profile of Students Admitted to Highly Selective Colleges	48	(7)
Extracurricular Activities	55	(56)
Making a Difference on and off Campus	55	(3)
The Extracurricular Milieu	58	(2)
Depth versus Breadth of Extracurricular Commitments	60	(3)
Avoiding Tunnel Vision	63	(4)
Student Government and the Politicians of Tomorrow	67	(4)
The Great Debate	71	(2)
Music and Visual and Performing Arts: High Profile on Campus and in Admissions	73	(6)
Power of the Pen: Publications, Journalism, and Writing	79	(2)
Entrepreneurship, Business Internships, and Term-Time Work	81	(1)
Social Service and Community Involvement	82	(3)
Impact of Athletics in Admission	85	(17)
Recognized Extracurricular Programs and Positions	102	(3)
Extracurricular Profile of Students Admitted to Highly Selective Colleges	105	(3)
Circumstances That Limit Extracurricular Involvement	108	(3)
Personal Qualities and Background Factors Impact on the Application	111	(48)
Why Personal Character Is Important	112	(5)
Letters of Recommendation	117	(9)
The Personal Essay and the Story It Tells	126	(4)
Interviewing	130	(5)
Intangibles: Tip Factors	135	(24)
Part II: College Admissions 102: Understanding the Admissions Cycle
Rating Candidates and the Evaluation Process	159	(26)
Reading and Rating Your Application	159	(2)
Academic Rating	161	(1)
Extracurricular Rating	162	(1)
Personal Rating	163	(1)
Overall Rating	164	(2)
School Support and Teacher Recommendations	166	(1)
Who Reads Your Application?	166	(4)
Fall Recruiting	170	(6)
The Reading Process: Early Admission Whirlwind	176	(2)
The Reading Process: April Admission and Rounding Out the Class	178	(1)
Committee Meetings, Presenting Cases, Mailing Letters	179	(2)
A Cruel Summer: Waiting on the Waiting List	181	(4)
Application Preparation: From Middle School to College	185	(54)
Early Awareness Makes a Difference	185	(5)
Junior Year: The Application Process	190	(7)
Senior Year: Fine-Tuning Your Application	197	(1)
The Value of College Counseling	198	(3)
Applying to College Early	201	(6)
A Note on Financial Aid	207	(6)
Part III: Harvard Case Studies
An Examination of Admissions Applications	213	(26)
Appendix	239	(2)
Index	241