Sebastian (a lady) Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 (edited) We have had threads about various individual articles on college admissions. I thought it might be interesting to bring together some of the articles and books that people have found helpful over the years for getting their head around admissions topics. What it Takes - Article on applying to Stanford from their alumni magazine. Applying Sideways - Great article on MIT admissions. "Because here's what you need to understand:There is nothing, literally nothing, that in and of itself will get you in to MIT." Writing Recommendations - From MIT Admissions. I like this because it has concrete examples with explanations of what was helpful and less helpful. Books Crazy U - A Washington DC journalist chronicles his son's senior year and college applications. This is one of my favorites, because the chapters alternate between the saga of his son's applications and investigatory pieces on various aspects of admissions. It has the best explanation of the history of the SAT that I've ever read. Debt-Free U - This was written while the author was still in college or just recently graduated. His point of view is that it is often better to take the road of a somewhat less prestigious school that has a lower tuition and perhaps more aid than an international branded school with a very high tuition or a small private school with high tuition and little aid for average applicants. I'm not sure I agree with all of his assessents, but I think his points about why you should consider a larger school and maybe not put extreme effort and confidence into college visits are worth pondering. Acceptance - A year in the life of one guidance counselor at a high end high school and the students from his school who were applying to college. This was helpful to me in my role as my kids' counselor to see what sorts of involvement and support a long-time professional school counselor could give. It helped me set boundaries, but also not abandon my kids to their own fate. There have been times when a quick phone call cleared up some misunderstanding or paperwork snafu where a week of emails from the student had failed. Paying for College Without Going Broke - This is a good book to read several years before your kids are applying so you have time to make some of the financial changes suggested. It might even be useful for parents of young kids to consider skimming the sections on how to save for college. When you hit application time, the line by line explanations of the FAFSA and the CSS/Profile forms are really helpful. The Gatekeepers - A year in the life of the admissions office at Wesleyan University, focused on one particular admissions counselor and about a dozen students applying to admission. (I'd forgotten that this one is over 10 years old. I can't remember if Common App was in place then or if the school used their own application. I'm curious how the situation has changed in the intervening years.) There are parts of this book that still bug me. It felt like the aim of some in the admissions office resembled Pokemon collecting more than quality admissions decisions. Students were picked because of an interesting back story or because the school had never had someone from that demographic before. In a couple cases, it didn't end well for the student. I can't help wonder if those students would have done better in a college setting where they were less one of a kind. These are just some that have stood out over the years. I know there is other good stuff out there. I've got to get about the day, but I'd love to see what others recommend. Edited October 19, 2016 by Sebastian (a lady) 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilaclady Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 Thank you for compiling and posting. This is really good info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nan in Mass Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 I liked the books by Cal Newport. I also liked the transcript book recommended in the first edition of TWTM, something like AHomeschooler's Guide to Transcripts and Portfolios. It is out of print now, I think. Nan 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 Neurotic Parent's Guide to College Admissions - for comic relief. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetC Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 Online Articles: Edvisors updates their free FAFSA book every year. https://www.edvisors.com/fafsa/book/ Videos: Status of American College Admissions by Peter VanBuskirk Overview of understanding how to consider your admissions chances and your financial aid chances and how those play into one another. It's All About the Transition by Harlan Cohen A reminder that providing guidance to our kids doesn't stop with getting them into the right college. They need to be coached through a transition process as well. Books: Financial Aid Handbook by Carol Stack and Ruth Vedvik Right College, Right Price by Frank Palmasani In terms of specific schools and tax laws and financial aid forms, both of these books are outdated, but the general picture of who gets financial aid where is still useful. The Financial Aid Handbook is coming out with a second edition next year according to Amazon. +1 on Crazy U - I like how he mixes his story and his background research. Laughing and learning mixed. +1 on Acceptance - Inspiring story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 JHU's essays that worked https://apply.jhu.edu/apply/essays-that-worked/ Gives an idea of what some good college application essays look like. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joules Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be by Frank Bruni 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowbeltmom Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 A is for Admissions - It was written awhile ago, but having just gone through the recruiting process in the Ivy League, I think the advice in the book is still relevant. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetC Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 A is for Admissions - It was written awhile ago, but having just gone through the recruiting process in the Ivy League, I think the advice in the book is still relevant. My main takeaway from this one: yes, we do holistic admissions (eventually). But since we have to reject 90+% of applicants, it helps us to reduce you to a number first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted October 20, 2016 Author Share Posted October 20, 2016 Unfortunately most of the books I listed focus on very selective schools. I think there is more tension in a story that follows kids applying to these schools do that is what journalists pick as research subjects. Anyone have favorite books on college for apps for less selective schools. If thinking of what would be good for a B student who isn't sure what they want to do after graduation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowbeltmom Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 My main takeaway from this one: yes, we do holistic admissions (eventually). But since we have to reject 90+% of applicants, it helps us to reduce you to a number first. My main takeaway was that high test scores are necessary to be considered for admission, but once a student passes that threshold, the student needs a hook. Once the college has filled its seats with the recruited athletes, the legacy, the development cases, the URM, the International/National award winners, the student from an underrepresented region,etc., there are very few seats left for the "unhooked", so while a college may have an admit rate of say 10%, the admit rate for an "unhooked high stat student" is way less than 10%. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetC Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 Anyone have favorite books on college for apps for less selective schools. If thinking of what would be good for a B student who isn't sure what they want to do after graduation. You might like If the U Fits by Kevin McMullin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daijobu Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 (edited) Since we're including humor in this thread, here's The Onion's take on college rejections. "High School Student Taking Rejection From First-Choice College In Stride As If Future Not Over" "According to reports, the 18-year-old, who graduates in six weeks and no longer has any hope of leading a happy, fulfilling life, remains relaxed and even upbeat despite his failure to gain admittance to Tufts University, the school that represented his only chance of achieving success of any kind in life." Edited October 20, 2016 by daijobu 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetC Posted October 22, 2016 Share Posted October 22, 2016 Another useful one: what to put in a counselor's letter http://hscw-counselorscorner.blogspot.com/2015/09/a-quick-refresher-on-counselor-letters.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madteaparty Posted October 22, 2016 Share Posted October 22, 2016 Anything similar on selective international schools? Oxbridge, Sciences Po, LSE? Neither DS nor I are interested in facilitating a hook and doing that particular dance here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted October 22, 2016 Share Posted October 22, 2016 madteaparty One thing that we have found is that applying as a homeschooler is not that simple unless you have done a more traditional route with a lot of testing (like AP exams across all subjects.) For someone like me who does not want to do school at home, that is a worse dance. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swimmermom3 Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Neurotic Parent's Guide to College Admissions - for comic relief. Neurotic? What about the process, other than the whole thing would make a parent neurotic? Twitch, blink, shudder What they don't tell you is that the neurosis only amps up more when your student gets into and is at college. I am hoping first semester grades will alleviate the middle of the night panic attacks that run along the lines of "Did I really prepare him for college midterms? He has a ten page paper due Tuesday, did he start it yet? Oh my gosh, of course he didn't. Why did we homeschool? I'm a fraud as a teacher. Should I buy stock in Tito's vodka?" 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 Neurotic? What about the process, other than the whole thing would make a parent neurotic? Twitch, blink, shudder What they don't tell you is that the neurosis only amps up more when your student gets into and is at college. I am hoping first semester grades will alleviate the middle of the night panic attacks that run along the lines of "Did I really prepare him for college midterms? He has a ten page paper due Tuesday, did he start it yet? Oh my gosh, of course he didn't. Why did we homeschool? I'm a fraud as a teacher. Should I buy stock in Tito's vodka?" Lol! I'm sure he'll do just fine as I am sure he was well-prepared in your homeschool. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirabillis Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 JHU's essays that worked https://apply.jhu.edu/apply/essays-that-worked/ Gives an idea of what some good college application essays look like. Wow - what a fantastic link! Thank you!!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodland Mist Academy Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 (edited) Early Decision: Based on a True Frenzy by Lacy Crawford. It's fiction, but perfect for this time of year. Edited October 26, 2016 by Woodland Mist Academy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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