Admission Matters: What Students and Parents Need to Know About Getting into College,   ISBN:9780470481219

Customer Rating: 

This is an outstanding read for parents, counselors, and even students. As a college counselor I've come across many books that suggest if you do this, you'll get into here, which we all know is very unlikely. Admissions Matters 2nd edition is realistic, and full of useful information about the admissions process. This is a great read for the students who are just beginning to plan their future and may not know where to start. It's a great read for students who have their list of colleges and now need to learn more about what is needed to apply to those specific schools and so forth. This book covers topics such as standardized testing, putting together your college list, interviews, college visits, early decision and so forth. This book is realistic, a quick read, and helpful to any family who is starting the college guidance process.

Customer Rating: 

This book is filled with common sense, healthy psychological attitudes and good advice based on experince, not hype. It shows how the landscape of college admissions has changed since "we" were young, and how to successfully navigate it. I am an independent college consultant, and I recommend this great "how-to" to my clients.

Customer Rating: 

I have read virtually every book written about selective college admissions and I can tell you that this book is the most up to date, clear, and comprehensive guide you can find. I especially appreciate chapter 3 on how colleges make their decisions, which seems like the biggest mystery to students and parents. The way the authors explain the process from the college side makes absolute sense. While 2 highly selective colleges may make different decisions on the same applicant, you learn that the outcome can be unpredictable but at the same time, not random. You also learn that while you might be qualified to attend a certain college, you may not necessarily get in depending on the institutional priorities of the college and the class they are trying to create. In addition to this valuable information, students and parents get tips on how best to approach each part of the college admissions process. They leave nothing out. You learn how to put together the best list of colleges for you, that are good fits academically, socially and financially. You learn how to rank schools for yourself, instead of buying into the published rankings. In fact, if you follow the advice in the book, you'll have at least 8 first choice colleges to apply to. The authors finally include a whole chapter on how to finance a college education, which in an economic downturn, is critical to understand. So, if you are just embarking on this process or want to get a head start, and you can only invest in one book, this is the book to buy.

Customer Rating: 

This is an excellent book -one of the best I've seen recently about college admissions. It is comprehensive, well-organized and interesting to read. Also has lots of useful charts, guidelines and resources.

Customer Rating: 

Things have changed considerably since I went through the college application process myself and that being the case, I felt rather lost and helpless on how best to help my son get through this next big/huge step in his life!... I read the book and then my son read it... We both felt that it answered so many questions that we each had and gave us a kind of "step by step" plan of action!... it really helped to put our minds at ease... I am very grateful that this book was written and highly recommend it!