Admission Matters

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 Diff er 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 .