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The New Rules of College Admissions: Ten Former Admissions Officers Reveal What it Takes to Get Into College Today (Fireside Books
This all-in-one guide shows parents and students how to select, apply to, get accepted by, and pay for college, from the experts at America's #1 educational consulting firm.
The rules of college admissions have changed, and the competition today is tougher than ever. It's no longer enough to fill out a few applications and wish for the best. Students not only need to excel, they also need to make their applications stand out from the crowd. Parents often wish they had a personal coach to help their children navigate the process. The New Rules of College Admissions is like having your own team of expert advisers guiding you every step of the way. Each chapter is written by a former admissions officer from top universities -- including Yale, Columbia, and Northwestern -- and each chapter covers topics to help you
• Create a list of the "best fit" colleges
• Develop a strategy for standardized tests
• Prepare for and ace the interview
• Navigate financial aid options
and much more. Your family's journey to college admissions success begins now. The New Rules of College Admissions will help simplify today's complex college admissions process and lead to an acceptance letter from the college of your dreams.
The rules of college admissions have changed, and the competition today is tougher than ever. It's no longer enough to fill out a few applications and wish for the best. Students not only need to excel, they also need to make their applications stand out from the crowd. Parents often wish they had a personal coach to help their children navigate the process. The New Rules of College Admissions is like having your own team of expert advisers guiding you every step of the way. Each chapter is written by a former admissions officer from top universities -- including Yale, Columbia, and Northwestern -- and each chapter covers topics to help you
• Create a list of the "best fit" colleges
• Develop a strategy for standardized tests
• Prepare for and ace the interview
• Navigate financial aid options
and much more. Your family's journey to college admissions success begins now. The New Rules of College Admissions will help simplify today's complex college admissions process and lead to an acceptance letter from the college of your dreams.
- GenresNonfictionEducation
272 pages, Paperback
First published August 22, 2006
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September 7, 2015
378.161097 KRA
CD 378.161097 KRA
Published 2006
Founder of College Coach (www.getintocollege.com)
High school 9 -12 grade (Freshman, sophomore, junior, senior)
Nearly 4,000 colleges in USA
Chap1: The high school experience
P4 What courses are absolutely essential year by year?
Answer: Academic solids
English
Social Science History
Mathematics
Science, Preferably with lab
Foreign Language
P5 Is is better for my child to take easier coursed and get As, or take harder courses (such as AP classes ) and get Bs?
Answer: Premier school, AP and honors whenever available. Grade Achieved in Courses ( As)
Chap2: standardized tests
College Board (http://www.collegeboard.org/)
PSAT(Preliminary scholastic achievement test): National Merit Scholarship(Higest scores: National Merit Scholarship Commended Scholars, Semifinalist, finalist) p40
SAT I and SAT II Subject Tests (scholastic achievement test,SAT II formerly called achievement test)
SAT I Critical Reading(800), math (800), Writing(800): 3 hours 40minutes
SAT II (800)
This is no advantage to taking more than 3 SATII exams p50
AP (Advanced Placement Test): usually coincide with AP classes (School awards for outstanding performance)
grade 1-5: 3(qualifying grade) 4 or 5 (excellent)
CLEP (College Level Examination Program : demonstrate college-level achievement, exams in undergraduate college courses.
ACT (American College Tests) www.act.org
Most schools will consider the ACT in place of SAT I and II. p53
ACT:Enghish, readign, math, 30 minutes writing
Pro: Alignment with high school curriculum.
Chap3: College selection
www.petersons.com
www.collegeboard.com
www.princetonreview.com
2:3:2 (2 dream schools, 3 just right schools, 2 no problem schools), total 7
Chap4: The application
Admission option: Rolling admission, Regular decision, Early decision and Early Action.
4 section of application: Personal information and academic background, Activity Chart, Short Essay, Personal statement/Major essay.
Using common application when school offered. P85. p101 www.commonapp.org
Proofreading the hard copy of online version in case differently shown up on screen
Chap5: The application theme
5-30 minutes assess time in college admission officer: theme to make applicant standing out
Chap6: Essays and personal statement
250 - 500 words personal reflection and analysis
2 type of questions: Open-ended and analytical questions p128
Open-ended questions: "tell us about a meaningful experience, and why it is meaningful to you?" : give a personal insight on the topic, not description.
analytical questions: be given a quote, portion of essay, .... and ask to take a stance and explain how their beliefs fits with their stance. Answer why, with their own life experience, provide personal insight into their own thoughts and belief.
Short-Answer essay (100 words)
12 - point Standard font: (Times New Roman, Courier, Arial)
Chap7: Activities
Chap8:Letters of recommendation
Guidance Counsellor recommendation (Guidance Counsellor assigned in 9th grade)
2 Teachers recommendation letter
wwww.commonapp.org ( Teacher Recommendation Form ) to look at questions in the recommendation letters.
Chap9:interviews
On_campus Interviews (informational (nonevaluative) and evaluation interview)
Alumni Interviews
Student Interviews
30 minutes interview
Interviewing 101: The "Big Three " Opening Questions (first 10 minute)
Why are you applying here? What are your academic interests? What are your extracurricular activities?
It's about uncovering the passion behind the activity. p201
Interviewing 101: Open -Ended Question (second 10 minute)
Can this student do the work academically?
What will this student contribute socially, culturally, and personally if we admit him to join our school community?
Again, the key question is "Why?". Why soccer, ... important? p203 p205-p206 list of common interview questions
Interviewing 101: Final impression (last 10 minute)
Chap10:Paying for college
Federal methodology and Institutional methodology
Recruitment schoolarship: often called presidential or dean's schoolarshp, based on academic abilities (merit-based scholarship)
www.fastweb.com www.collegeboard.com (scholarship search database)
If your children received a scholarship from a source other than colleges to which he is applying, he must report the award to each college from which he is selling financial aid. p221
The FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Students Aid (required by almost all schools) www.fafsa.ed.gov (online or paper). no fee for filing the FAFSA.
The CSS: College Scholarship Service Profile (required by some schools). Each student files the FAFSA and CSS profile once each year.
http://studentaid.ed.gov/resources
The FAFSA
1. answering the questions on the FAFSA
2. selecting college that will receive the FAFSA Data
six-digit Federal School Code
3. signing the FAFSA
Sign FAFSA online by typing their Federal PIN number (four-digit PIN), under 21 must have one parent sign (Parent different PIN number), obtain from www.pin.ed.gov. PIN can be also used for sign student and parent promissory note.
4. reviewing the Student Aid Report (SAR)
The CSS profile
1. registration
www.collegeboard.com: list only the college that require CSS profile. no need to list any school that need only the FAFSA. $18 per college.
2. application
Unusual circumstances: contact directly to Director of Financial Aid.
Unusual circumstances letter that is submitted after a financial aid offer has been made is called "appeal". Write as soon as you can, the same time you file the FAFSA. or file "appeal form" after receive a financial aid.
The Financial aid statement (FAS)
The Student Bill
CD 378.161097 KRA
Published 2006
Founder of College Coach (www.getintocollege.com)
High school 9 -12 grade (Freshman, sophomore, junior, senior)
Nearly 4,000 colleges in USA
Chap1: The high school experience
P4 What courses are absolutely essential year by year?
Answer: Academic solids
English
Social Science History
Mathematics
Science, Preferably with lab
Foreign Language
P5 Is is better for my child to take easier coursed and get As, or take harder courses (such as AP classes ) and get Bs?
Answer: Premier school, AP and honors whenever available. Grade Achieved in Courses ( As)
Chap2: standardized tests
College Board (http://www.collegeboard.org/)
PSAT(Preliminary scholastic achievement test): National Merit Scholarship(Higest scores: National Merit Scholarship Commended Scholars, Semifinalist, finalist) p40
SAT I and SAT II Subject Tests (scholastic achievement test,SAT II formerly called achievement test)
SAT I Critical Reading(800), math (800), Writing(800): 3 hours 40minutes
SAT II (800)
This is no advantage to taking more than 3 SATII exams p50
AP (Advanced Placement Test): usually coincide with AP classes (School awards for outstanding performance)
grade 1-5: 3(qualifying grade) 4 or 5 (excellent)
CLEP (College Level Examination Program : demonstrate college-level achievement, exams in undergraduate college courses.
ACT (American College Tests) www.act.org
Most schools will consider the ACT in place of SAT I and II. p53
ACT:Enghish, readign, math, 30 minutes writing
Pro: Alignment with high school curriculum.
Chap3: College selection
www.petersons.com
www.collegeboard.com
www.princetonreview.com
2:3:2 (2 dream schools, 3 just right schools, 2 no problem schools), total 7
Chap4: The application
Admission option: Rolling admission, Regular decision, Early decision and Early Action.
4 section of application: Personal information and academic background, Activity Chart, Short Essay, Personal statement/Major essay.
Using common application when school offered. P85. p101 www.commonapp.org
Proofreading the hard copy of online version in case differently shown up on screen
Chap5: The application theme
5-30 minutes assess time in college admission officer: theme to make applicant standing out
Chap6: Essays and personal statement
250 - 500 words personal reflection and analysis
2 type of questions: Open-ended and analytical questions p128
Open-ended questions: "tell us about a meaningful experience, and why it is meaningful to you?" : give a personal insight on the topic, not description.
analytical questions: be given a quote, portion of essay, .... and ask to take a stance and explain how their beliefs fits with their stance. Answer why, with their own life experience, provide personal insight into their own thoughts and belief.
Short-Answer essay (100 words)
12 - point Standard font: (Times New Roman, Courier, Arial)
Chap7: Activities
Chap8:Letters of recommendation
Guidance Counsellor recommendation (Guidance Counsellor assigned in 9th grade)
2 Teachers recommendation letter
wwww.commonapp.org ( Teacher Recommendation Form ) to look at questions in the recommendation letters.
Chap9:interviews
On_campus Interviews (informational (nonevaluative) and evaluation interview)
Alumni Interviews
Student Interviews
30 minutes interview
Interviewing 101: The "Big Three " Opening Questions (first 10 minute)
Why are you applying here? What are your academic interests? What are your extracurricular activities?
It's about uncovering the passion behind the activity. p201
Interviewing 101: Open -Ended Question (second 10 minute)
Can this student do the work academically?
What will this student contribute socially, culturally, and personally if we admit him to join our school community?
Again, the key question is "Why?". Why soccer, ... important? p203 p205-p206 list of common interview questions
Interviewing 101: Final impression (last 10 minute)
Chap10:Paying for college
Federal methodology and Institutional methodology
Recruitment schoolarship: often called presidential or dean's schoolarshp, based on academic abilities (merit-based scholarship)
www.fastweb.com www.collegeboard.com (scholarship search database)
If your children received a scholarship from a source other than colleges to which he is applying, he must report the award to each college from which he is selling financial aid. p221
The FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Students Aid (required by almost all schools) www.fafsa.ed.gov (online or paper). no fee for filing the FAFSA.
The CSS: College Scholarship Service Profile (required by some schools). Each student files the FAFSA and CSS profile once each year.
http://studentaid.ed.gov/resources
The FAFSA
1. answering the questions on the FAFSA
2. selecting college that will receive the FAFSA Data
six-digit Federal School Code
3. signing the FAFSA
Sign FAFSA online by typing their Federal PIN number (four-digit PIN), under 21 must have one parent sign (Parent different PIN number), obtain from www.pin.ed.gov. PIN can be also used for sign student and parent promissory note.
4. reviewing the Student Aid Report (SAR)
The CSS profile
1. registration
www.collegeboard.com: list only the college that require CSS profile. no need to list any school that need only the FAFSA. $18 per college.
2. application
Unusual circumstances: contact directly to Director of Financial Aid.
Unusual circumstances letter that is submitted after a financial aid offer has been made is called "appeal". Write as soon as you can, the same time you file the FAFSA. or file "appeal form" after receive a financial aid.
The Financial aid statement (FAS)
The Student Bill
August 2, 2011
I first reviewed The New Rules of College Admissions when I was working as a high school counselor. At the time, I was looking for helpful college planning resources for students and parents. I have often referred to this resource. Over the years, it has become one of my favorite books on preparing for college admissions.
When I first read this book I was skeptical because a private educational consulting firm called, College Coach, developed it. My fear was that the book would end up being an advertisement for the firm and instead of providing useful information it would attempt to persuade parents and students to seek their consulting services. To my delight, I was wrong. The book provides a wealth of useful information for prospective college students and their parents.
The book is written in a straightforward, easy-to-read manner. It is also divided into to chapters that focus on specific aspects of the application process. This allows readers to easily locate relevant information as they move through college application process.
Each chapter is written by an expert coach from College Coach who was a former educational professional at prestigious college. The writing flows together in a cohesive manner despite being authored by different writers.
The titles of the chapters are as follows:
Chapter One: The High School Experience
Chapter Two: Standardized Tests
Chapter Three: College Selection
Chapter Four: The Application
Chapter Five: The Application Theme
Chapter Six: Essays and Personal Statements
Chapter Seven: Activities
Chapter Eight: Letters of Recommendation
Chapter Nine: Interviews
Chapter Ten: Paying for College
Conclusion: What Next?
This book is targeted to parents of traditional aged, college bound students applying to competitive colleges. Although the authors are speaking to their parents, high school students can also easily glean helpful information from reading this book. However, this book is not written for nontraditional students or transfer students. Although students in these groups will still be able to gain useful information from reading this book they may wish to find a source written for them specifically.
Although I was initially skeptical of The New Rules of College Admissions because it was written by an educational consulting firm, I now see the advantage of having a book such as this being written by various coaches from an educational consulting firm: The experts bring their varied backgrounds from working at colleges throughout the country together for a perspective that would be applicable to seeking admission at any college.
The book is well written and packed with helpful information for prospective college students and their parents. I recommend this book to college bound high school students and their parents who would like help with the college application process.
Review found at http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/a...
When I first read this book I was skeptical because a private educational consulting firm called, College Coach, developed it. My fear was that the book would end up being an advertisement for the firm and instead of providing useful information it would attempt to persuade parents and students to seek their consulting services. To my delight, I was wrong. The book provides a wealth of useful information for prospective college students and their parents.
The book is written in a straightforward, easy-to-read manner. It is also divided into to chapters that focus on specific aspects of the application process. This allows readers to easily locate relevant information as they move through college application process.
Each chapter is written by an expert coach from College Coach who was a former educational professional at prestigious college. The writing flows together in a cohesive manner despite being authored by different writers.
The titles of the chapters are as follows:
Chapter One: The High School Experience
Chapter Two: Standardized Tests
Chapter Three: College Selection
Chapter Four: The Application
Chapter Five: The Application Theme
Chapter Six: Essays and Personal Statements
Chapter Seven: Activities
Chapter Eight: Letters of Recommendation
Chapter Nine: Interviews
Chapter Ten: Paying for College
Conclusion: What Next?
This book is targeted to parents of traditional aged, college bound students applying to competitive colleges. Although the authors are speaking to their parents, high school students can also easily glean helpful information from reading this book. However, this book is not written for nontraditional students or transfer students. Although students in these groups will still be able to gain useful information from reading this book they may wish to find a source written for them specifically.
Although I was initially skeptical of The New Rules of College Admissions because it was written by an educational consulting firm, I now see the advantage of having a book such as this being written by various coaches from an educational consulting firm: The experts bring their varied backgrounds from working at colleges throughout the country together for a perspective that would be applicable to seeking admission at any college.
The book is well written and packed with helpful information for prospective college students and their parents. I recommend this book to college bound high school students and their parents who would like help with the college application process.
Review found at http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/a...
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews