The Truth About Getting In A Top College Advisor Tells You Everything You Need to Know

by Cohen, Katherine

• ISBN13: 9780786887477
• ISBN10: 0786887478
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-04-03
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

If you're getting ready for the college admissions process, you need this book. It used to be that a college applicant with a great SAT score and high grade-point average was easily accepted into a firstchoice college. Not anymore. These days it takes an outstanding application, too. The extracurricular activities or "brag" sheet, the personal essay, and the interview all weigh heavily in the acceptance process. As a private college admissions counselor, Dr. Katherine Cohen has placed a great majority of her clients in their first-choice colleges. Now, for the first time, Dr. Cohen offers her successful program in a book complete with worksheets, timelines, and checklists to help students demystify the college admissions process and get into that dream college. Divided into chapters that cover everything from what courses to take in high school to how to ace that all-important interview, this book is the college admissions bible for students and parents. Book jacket.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xi
Introduction	xiii
The Admissions Application: An Overview
Myths and Truths	2	(1)
General Requirements for the Application	3	(3)
Academic Record: Your High School Transcript	6	(6)
Grade Improvement Strategies	12	(3)
Personal Record	15	(1)
Summary	16	(1)
Insider Tips	17	(3)
Planning for College
Myths and Truths	20	(1)
Making the Most of Your Time	21	(7)
When Should I Apply?	28	(3)
The Truth About Applying Early	31	(4)
Beware of Senioritis	35	(2)
Summary	37	(1)
Insider Tips	37	(3)
College Resources
Myths and Truths	40	(1)
Getting Started	40	(1)
Using Your High School College Counselor	40	(3)
The Inside Scoop on Private Counselors	43	(1)
Helpful Resources	44	(9)
Summary	53	(1)
Insider Tips	54	(2)
Choosing Your Colleges
Myths and Truths	56	(1)
Choosing Your Colleges	56	(5)
Requesting Information from Colleges	61	(2)
The Secret to a Balanced Portfolio	63	(2)
Beyond the Ivies: Finding the Perfect Fit	65	(1)
Summary	66	(1)
Insider Tips	66	(2)
Preparing to Apply
Myths and Truths	68	(1)
Preparing to Apply	69	(1)
Imagining You're There	70	(2)
College Visits	72	(10)
Summary	82	(1)
Insider Tips	82	(2)
Selling Yourself
Myths and Truths	84	(1)
Selling Yourself	84	(1)
Who Are You?	85	(4)
The Brag Sheet	89	(10)
Sample Brag Sheets	99	(13)
Summary	112	(1)
Insider Tips	112	(2)
Taking the Tests
Myths and Truths	114	(1)
College Entrance Exams	115	(7)
Fee Waivers	122	(1)
Registration Procedure	122	(1)
Keeping Track	123	(1)
Note on Test Scores	124	(3)
Summary	127	(1)
Insider Tips	127	(3)
Writing an Outstanding Essay
Myths and Truths	130	(1)
Essay Writing	131	(1)
Essay Topics	131	(3)
Sample Questions	134	(1)
Brainstorming Strategies	135	(3)
Guidelines for Writing an Outstanding College Essay	138	(2)
Sample Essays	140	(39)
Summary	179	(1)
Insider Tips	179	(3)
Getting Glowing Letters of Recommendation
Myths and Truths	182	(1)
Letters of Recommendation	183	(1)
Help Your Teachers	183	(2)
Notes for Teachers and Counselors	185	(1)
Sample Teacher Recommendations	186	(4)
Sample College Counselor Letters	190	(4)
Sample Employer Recommendation	194	(1)
Summary	195	(1)
Insider Tips	195	(3)
Acing the Interview
Myths and Truths	198	(1)
The Interview Itself	199	(2)
Interviewing Guidelines	201	(2)
Preparing for the Interview	203	(5)
Concluding the Interview	208	(1)
Summary	209	(1)
Insider Tips	210	(2)
Securing Financial Aid
Myths and Truths	212	(1)
Financial Aid for College	213	(1)
Understanding College Costs	213	(2)
Determining Your Financial Resources for College	215	(3)
How Do I Apply?	218	(2)
Composition of Financial Aid Package	220	(1)
Beware of Scholarship Scams	221	(2)
Worldwide Web Resources for Financial Aid and Scholarships	223	(1)
Glossary of Financial Terms	224	(1)
Summary	225	(1)
Insider Tips	225	(3)
Applying for College Checklist
Myths and Truths	228	(1)
Applying for College Checklist	229	(2)
College Tracker	231	(3)
Special Issues in College Admissions
Myths and Truths	234	(1)
Student-Athletes and the NCAA	235	(4)
Students with Learning Disabilities/Differences or Medical Conditions	239	(1)
Legacy Students	240	(1)
Minority Students	241	(1)
Student Artists	241	(1)
Wait-Listed Students	242	(1)
Transfer Students	243	(1)
Taking a Year Off	243	(1)
Summary	244	(1)
Insider Tips	244	(4)
APPENDIX
Forty Elite U.S. Colleges and Universities	248	(1)
Glossary of Terms	249