Panicked Parents' Guide to College Admissions

by Petersons Publishing

• ISBN13: 9780768909272
• ISBN10: 0768909279
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-08-15
• Publisher: Peterson's Guides

Summary

Two mothers with over 30 years experience in the college admissions field provide down-to-earth advice from admissions and financial professionals, guidance counselors, and parents who have survived.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	v
Introduction	vii
All in the family: Decisions and Dynamics	1	(20)
How Involved Should Parents be in the College Selection Process?	1	(1)
Self-Assessment Surveys for Students and Parents	2	(13)
Pressure Points	15	(6)
Choosing the Right College	21	(32)
What Kind of School Am I?	21	(4)
List Value: The Long and Short of ft	25	(1)
Identifying Target Colleges	26	(9)
Using Publications	35	(3)
Using Computers	38	(7)
Comparing and Contrasting	45	(2)
Getting Guidance: Public and Private School Counselors	47	(2)
Who Are Independent Counselors and How Do You Know If You Need One?	49	(4)
Testing, Testing	53	(36)
The PSAT/NMSQT	54	(3)
Just What Is the SAT Anyway?	57	(16)
The ACT Assessment	73	(3)
TOEFL	76	(2)
Preparing for Standardized Tests	78	(9)
Information Numbers	87	(2)
Finding Out More: Campus visits & Interviews; College Fairs & Reps	89	(24)
Campus Visits	89	(7)
The Interview itself	96	(9)
Second Opinions	105	(3)
When You Can't Get to Campus	108	(2)
Drawing Conclusions	110	(3)
Money Matters: Financial Planning and Financial Aid	113	(30)
Estimating College Costs	113	(6)
Applying for Financial Aid	119	(6)
Tips for Applying for Financial Aid	125	(4)
Financial Aid Packages	129	(9)
Non-Aid Advice	138	(2)
Additional Resources	140	(3)
Pushing Papers: The Application itself	143	(34)
Different Decision Plans	144	(2)
Which Application do we use?	146	(4)
General Application Tips	150	(3)
Tips for Tackling Specific Application Sections	153	(6)
The Almighty Essay	159	(9)
Recommendations	168	(9)
How Admission Decisions Are Made	177	(18)
Transcripts	178	(5)
Test Results	183	(1)
Essays/Personal Statements	184	(1)
Recommendations	184	(1)
Extracurricular Activities	185	(2)
Interviews	187	(1)
``Hooks''	187	(4)
Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down?	191	(4)
We're in We're 0ut, What Now?	195	(12)
Deposits	196	(1)
Wait Lists	197	(2)
Not Getting in Anywhere	199	(3)
Not wanting to go where Accepted	202	(1)
Campus Security	203	(2)
Planning to Transfer	205	(2)
Special Situations	207	(20)
Advanced Standing	207	(4)
Athletes	211	(3)
Deferring Admission	214	(2)
Early Enrollment, Early Entrance	216	(2)
International Students	218	(2)
Attending a PG (Postgraduate) Year at a Secondary School	220	(1)
Students with Disabilities and Special Health Needs	221	(6)
Words of Wisdom: Advice from Parents	227	(10)
Appendix 1 Checklist/Calendar for Parents	237	(10)
Appendix 2 Web Sits Ready Reference	247	(4)
Index	251