College Admission

1. What is College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step by Robin Mamlet about?

• Comprehensive admission roadmap: The book provides a detailed, step-by-step guide for students and families navigating the entire college admission process, from early high school planning to final acceptance and financial aid.
• Insider and parental perspectives: Written by Robin Mamlet, a former dean of admission at top colleges, and journalist Christine VanDeVelde, it combines expert insights with a parent’s viewpoint.
• Focus on authenticity and fit: The authors emphasize the importance of students presenting their true selves and finding colleges that match their academic, social, and financial needs.
• Practical tools and resources: Readers gain access to actionable advice, checklists, worksheets, and questions to ask, making the process more manageable and less stressful.

2. Why should I read College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step by Robin Mamlet and Christine VanDeVelde?

• Expert, trustworthy guidance: Robin Mamlet’s decades of experience as a dean of admission and VanDeVelde’s parental insights make this a uniquely authoritative and empathetic resource.
• Holistic, myth-busting approach: The book demystifies the process, debunks common myths, and provides realistic expectations based on actual admission practices.
• Support for all applicants: It offers tailored advice for diverse students, including athletes, artists, international, first-generation, and transfer applicants.
• Encourages healthy process: The authors promote student ownership, authenticity, and resilience, countering media hype and parental pressure.

3. What are the key takeaways from College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step?

• Authenticity is essential: Colleges value genuine, “imperfect” applicants who show their true selves over those who try to “package” themselves.
• Student-driven process: Students should lead the process, with parents and counselors providing support but not control, fostering independence and confidence.
• Fit over prestige: Success depends on finding colleges that align with a student’s interests, abilities, and values, not just rankings or reputation.
• Holistic review: Admission decisions consider grades, course rigor, extracurricular depth, essays, recommendations, and institutional priorities.
• Early financial planning: Families should start financial planning and organization well before senior year to maximize aid opportunities.

4. What is the “secret” to getting into college according to College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step?

• No secret formula: The book echoes Fred Hargadon’s quote, “The big secret in college admission is that there is no big secret.”
• Holistic evaluation: Colleges review many factors beyond grades and test scores, including essays, recommendations, and extracurriculars.
• Institutional priorities matter: Admission decisions are influenced by each college’s unique needs, values, and mission, making “fit” as important as merit.
• Authenticity over perfection: Sincere, authentic applicants are preferred over those who appear overly polished or insincere.

5. How does College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step recommend students approach 9th and 10th grades?

• Focus on exploration: Early high school years are for discovering interests, enjoying learning, and building a strong academic foundation without undue pressure.
• Wise course selection: Students should take challenging courses in core subjects to keep future options open.
• Avoid overscheduling: Balance is key; too many activities or stress can harm well-being and learning, so downtime is important.
• Begin financial planning: Parents should continue saving and organizing financial records in preparation for future aid applications.

6. What advice does College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step give about building relationships with high school and independent counselors?

• High school counselors as advocates: School counselors help with college lists, recommendations, deadlines, and provide personalized guidance.
• Proactive relationship-building: Students should get to know their counselors early to maximize support and advocacy.
• Role of independent counselors: Fee-based consultants can assist students with limited school counseling or special circumstances, but should be carefully vetted.
• Avoid overpackaging: Both parents and counselors should resist creating unrealistic or artificial student profiles, as authenticity is valued by colleges.

7. How does College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step advise students on academic records and course selection?

• Academic record is crucial: Grades and course rigor are the most important factors in admission decisions.
• Challenge with balance: Take the most demanding courses you can handle, including AP, IB, or honors, but balance rigor with achievable grades.
• Contextual evaluation: Admissions officers assess transcripts in the context of the high school’s offerings and grading standards.
• Upward trends matter: Improvement over time, especially in challenging courses, is viewed positively.

8. What guidance does College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step provide about extracurricular activities?

• No perfect activity formula: There is no required list or combination of activities that guarantees admission.
• Depth over breadth: Sustained commitment and passion in a few activities are valued more than superficial involvement in many.
• Authenticity in involvement: Students should pursue activities that genuinely interest them, not just those chosen to impress colleges.
• Leadership and impact: Leadership is appreciated but not required; meaningful impact and personal growth are more important.

9. What does College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step say about standardized testing and its role in admissions?

• Testing is one piece: Standardized tests are just one part of a holistic review and rarely determine admission alone.
• Know your options: Students should familiarize themselves with the PSAT, SAT, ACT, and Subject Tests, and plan testing timelines carefully.
• Test-optional policies: Many colleges now allow applicants to submit scores optionally or not at all; always check each school’s requirements.
• Balanced preparation: Overpreparation is discouraged; focus on academic work and reading, as course rigor is more important than test coaching.

10. How does College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step recommend creating and balancing a college list?

• Start with self-reflection: Understand your interests, priorities, academic profile, and what you want from college before researching schools.
• Research thoroughly: Consider factors like location, size, academic programs, cost, campus culture, and extracurricular opportunities.
• Balance selectivity and cost: Include a range of selectivity (reach, match, safety) and cost, using financial aid calculators to estimate net costs.
• Refine and narrow: Begin with a broad list (15–30 schools), then narrow to 8–10 that fit academically, socially, and financially.

11. What are the different college decision plans described in College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step, and how should students choose among them?

• Regular Decision (RD): Most common, with a January deadline and April notification, allowing time to compare offers.
• Rolling Admission (RA): Applications reviewed as received, with earlier applications having better chances and quicker decisions.
• Early Action (EA) and Restrictive Early Action (REA): Non-binding early options; REA restricts other early applications, but both provide early feedback.
• Early Decision (ED): Binding commitment to enroll if accepted; best for students certain about their first choice and financial aid.
• Choosing wisely: Consider your academic profile, certainty about your first choice, financial aid needs, and the specific plans offered by your colleges.

12. How does College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step address special circumstances for athletes, artists, international, and undocumented students?

• Student athletes: Understand NCAA divisions, recruitment rules, and select “broken-leg schools” you’d attend even without sports; communicate clearly with coaches.
• Arts applicants: Prepare portfolios or audition materials early, follow each college’s requirements, and balance arts with strong academics.
• International students: Learn about the U.S. system, prepare for testing and financial certification, and plan for limited financial aid.
• Undocumented students: Build a support network, research state and college policies, and seek resources and advocacy groups for guidance.
• Tailored advice: The book provides specific strategies and encouragement for each group to navigate unique challenges and maximize opportunities.