The College Admissions ProcessThe college admissions process is long and at times, difficult to manage. The stress of selecting a college to apply to, meeting the requirements, and anticipating the decision can be overwhelming. Thankfully, there is no real hidden information (despite what some think about the secrets of college admission), so if you can track down the information, your questions will be answered and this process will become manageable. Let's get started.
With over 4000 schools in the United States alone, the process of choosing a college can seem complicated. Start by reading information on the College Match to get an idea of what matters to you. Then use some of the search engines to generate a list. Once you are ready to apply, we will talk about the application itself, the essay, getting a letter of recommendation, and applying for financial aid. Remember, this is a serious decision, one that will certainly impact the course of your life, so you will only reap returns on the work you put in. That being said, this process should not consume your life. However, you should spend time researching, asking questions, talking with your parents and counselor, and learning all you can. It is, after all, your life.
The Secrets of Elite College AdmissionsA raw, real, behind-the-scenes look at admission decisions at Emory is an important read. What we consider to be "the way" students are admitted might not accurate; it most certainly isn't the same across the board. Another source, The Gatekeepers by Jacques Steinberg, is a bit dated, but provides a timeless insight into the truth behind highly selective admissions. Rachel Toor wrote a similar story in Admissions Confidential about her time at Duke. More recently, Who Gets In and Why? by Selingo has come on the scene with the most current reflection of the process. All of them a worth the read so the pattern becomes clear.
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Are schools really more competitive than they once were? What drives admissions at some colleges? Are there really hidden secrets to university admissions? Click videos to learn more.