Admission matters: what students and parents need to know about getting into college

Part 1

What you need to know before you begin

Why has college admissions become so competitive?

What do colleges look for in an applicant?

How do colleges make their decisions?

How colleges (and students) differ: finding what fits

Part 2

Making the right choices for you

Building your college list

A new look at testing

Deciding about early decision and other early options

Paying the bill

Part 3

Tackling your applications

Applying well, Part I: the application and the essay

Applying well, Part II: recommendations, interviews, and activities

Making the most of your special talents

Students with special circumstances

International students applying to study in the U.S. and U.S. students applying to study internationally

Part 4

Bringing the process to a close

Making your decision after the colleges make theirs

What matters most: advice to parents and students

College preparation timeline.

Why has college become so competitive?

What do colleges look for in an applicant?

How do colleges make their decisions?

How colleges (and students) differ: finding what fits

Where should you apply?

The big tests

Deciding about early decisions and other early options

Applying well, part I: the application and essay

Applying well, part II: recommendations, interviews, and activites

Making the most of your special talemnts

Students with special circumstances

Paying the bill

Advice for international students

Making your decision after the colleges make their s

What matters most: advice to parents and students.

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Applying Well: Part I

Getting Off to a Good Start

Using the Common Application

Writing an Effective Personal Essay

An Important To-Do List

9. 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?

10. Paying the Bill

How Do Colleges Determine Your Financial Need?

The Verification Process

Why Do Need-Based Packages Differ 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

11. 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!

12. What Matters Most: Advice to Parents and Students Some Parting thoughts for Parents

Some Parting Thoughts for Students

Epilogue

Appendixes

A. College Research Worksheet

B. Common Application 2009-10

C. Sample Student Information Sheet for Letters of Recommendation

D. Financial Aid Comparison Worksheet

E. Cost of Attendance Worksheet

College Preparation Time Line

Glossary

Resources

Notes

About the Authors

Index