The Portable Guidance Counselor: Answers to the 284 Most Important Questions About Getting Into College
The college admissions process is overwhelming, and counselor appointments can be few and far between at some schools. That's why The Princeton Review got more than 200 top college counselors to share their secrets about getting that crucial acceptance letter!\ Take the stress out of the college application process with:\ \ · Handy tips on finding the right school for you\ · Step-by-step advice on every aspect of the application\ · Insider insight into what colleges...
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The college admissions process is overwhelming, and counselor appointments can be few and far between at some schools. That's why The Princeton Review got more than 200 top college counselors to share their secrets about getting that crucial acceptance letter! Take the stress out of the college application process with: · Handy tips on finding the right school for you· Step-by-step advice on every aspect of the application · Insider insight into what colleges look for in applicants· Practical hints on standing out in the crowd The Portable Guidance Counselor helps you maximize your college chances with answers to key questions like these: What should I look for during college visits?How many AP classes should I take?Are valedictorians and salutatorians shoo-ins for college?What do I need to know about applying Early Action or Early Decision?Where do I find scholarships, and how do I get them?What do college admissions officers really want to see on an application?
Introduction 1Chapter 1 What to Consider When Considering Colleges 5When should I start thinking about the college admissions process? 7What factors should or shouldn't influence my decision on where to apply? 10What exactly does "best fit" mean? 13Is it better to approach college from a career perspective or with the idea that it's supposed to be a growth experience? 16What if my intended major is pretty specific? 20How important is reputation or name recognition when it comes to choosing a college? 23Should I apply to a school I can't afford? 26What can an Ivy League school do for me? 29Why do people keep telling me that going to an Ivy League school is unrealistic? 32I got accepted into my first-choice school, but I can't afford it. What are my options? 35Is there a way to make the financial aid process any easier? 38Is it better to apply to a state school as an out-of-state resident or to pick a private college? 41What should I keep in mind as a first-generation student? 44What do I do if I want to study abroad? 47Will a college fair really help me pick a college? 49What are my college opportunities via the armed forces? 51Should I take time off after high school? 54What do I look for during college visits? 57What can I do if I don't have the cash to do a campus visit? 60Will my personal stuff online impact my college admissions chances? 63Chapter 2 Academics, Extracurricular, & Everything in Between 67What changes academically between middle school and high school? 70What should I be doing in the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades to prepare for college admissions? 73What can I do in high school to prepare for success in college? 76What can I do if my grades aren't so hot? 79How do I enhance my college application when I've switched schools? 82What if I've had some trouble in high school? 85Can't I just coast through senior year? 88Do my Ivy League hopes hang on whether I go to a public or private high school? 91How does my high school's academic reputation affect my college application? 94Are valedictorians and salutatorians shoo-ins for college? 97Grades vs. Class Rank: Which matters more to colleges? 100SAT Score vs. AP Classes: Which one matters more when applying to college? 103How many AP courses should I take if I want to apply to selective schools? 107Is a B in an AP class better than an A in a regular class? 110Which test is right for me? 113How many times should I take and retake standardized tests? 116What are the options for students with learning disabilities? 120What are the pros & cons of test prep courses? 124Should I use an independent counselor? 127Should I diversify my application through extracurriculars and volunteering? 130Do colleges really care about extracurricular activities? 133Are there certain extracurricular activities that admissions committees love? 136How do I get recruited for athletic scholarships? 139How will volunteering or community service impact my college application? 142How does work experience influence a college admissions committee? 146What can I do during my summer vacation to prepare for college? 149Can networking help get me into college? 152Where do I find scholarships and how do I get them? 155Chapter 3 Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Application (But Didn't Know to Ask) 159How has the college application system changed? 161How many colleges should I apply to? 163How much time should I spend filling out college applications? 165How active should my parents be in the college application process? 168What do I need to know about applying Early Action or Early Decision? 171What is the most stressful part of the application process? 174How do I get through this process without going crazy? 177What do I do with Common Application supplemental materials? 180How do I stand out to college admissions officers? 183What do college admissions officers really want to see on an application? 186How do I show "authenticity" and "character" on my college application? 189What should I not say on my college application essay? 192Who should I get to edit my college application essay? 195What do I do about letters of recommendation? 198What do I want on my letter of recommendation? 201If I don't declare a major on my college application, will that impact my chances of admission? 204Should I identify myself as an LGBTQ student on my application? 207Should I disclose a learning disability to colleges? 210What will my socioeconomic status do for me when applying? 213Does being a legacy student make me a shoo-in for admission? 216Chapter 4 Interviewed, Accepted, Waitlisted, Denied 219Which interview holds more weight in getting in? 220What do I need to know about the interview? 224How do I choose from multiple acceptances? 227Should I accept enrollment at a college in hopes of transferring to another institution next year? 230How do I deal with being waitlisted? 233How do I handle getting rejection letters? 236What can I do if I don't get accepted into any college? 239Chapter 5 The Inside Word 243What are the common mistakes that students make? 244What astonishing things have counselors seen? 248Are there a lot of great success stories or stories of huge disappointments? 251How do counselors stay in the know? 254What is the most common advice that counselors tell students? 257
