Demystifying the process of completing a college application Written by two former admissions officers at top universities and current admissions coaches, this book is a must-have for preparing a winning college application. The authors reveal the mystery behind what college admissions officers are looking for and show applicants how to leverage their credentials, stand out in the over-crowded applicants' pool, and make a genuine, memorable impression. This is the book that will help the college-bound get off the "e;like many others"e; pile and onto the acceptance list. Includes instructions and examples for every component of the college application, from writing the essay to answering questions like "e;Why do you want to go to College X?"e; Shows how to avoid underestimating the importance of critical features on any application Includes the latest information on the Common Application 4.0 and corrects outdated, holdover advice still stressed in many other books This book is filled with step-by-step advice that students and parents can use immediately and will refer to again and again.

Demystifying the process of completing a college applicationWritten by two former admissions officers at top universities and current admissions coaches, this book is a must-have for preparing a winning college application. The authors reveal the mystery behind what college admissions officers are looking for and show applicants how to leverage their credentials, stand out in the over-crowded applicants' pool, and make a genuine, memorable impression. This is the book that will help the college-bound get off the "like many others" pile and onto the acceptance list.* Includes instructions and examples for every component of the college application, from writing the essay to answering questions like "Why do you want to go to College X?"* Shows how to avoid underestimating the importance of critical features on any application* Includes the latest information on the Common Application 4.0 and corrects outdated, holdover advice still stressed in many other booksThis book is filled with step-by-step advice that students and parents can use immediately and will refer to again and again.

Preface vPART 1 Getting Started 11 Big Decisions 32 Your Plan 133 Your Story 224 Your Résumé 35PART 2 Completing the Application 615 Th e Application as a Whole 636 Factual Questions about You and Your Family 727 Education and Academic Questions 858 Activities Lists 919 Really Short Answer Questions 11710 Short Answer Questions 12711 Essay Questions 13312 "Why College X?" Questions 16713 Disciplinary and Criminal Background Questions 17914 Miscellaneous Other Questions 18815 Additional Information Questions 19716 Supplementary Materials 20117 Test Score Reports 21218 School Reports 22919 Recommendations 25020 Interviews 27121 Th e Application as a Whole ReduxPART 3 Crossing the Finish Line 29522 Th e Logistics of Submitting and Following Up 29723 Application Updates (Including Deferrals, Wait Lists, andCorrecting Mistakes) 310Closing: You're Done, Now What? 327About the Authors 331Index 333