College Admission Essentials : A Step-by-Step Guide to Showing Colleges Who You Are and What Matters to You

You can get into the perfect school! You may think that getting an acceptance letter from selective colleges and universities is a mad dash to the top that only the very best students survive, and those who make it are just the lucky ones. Stress levels soar as it feels like the bar is rising higher and everything is out of your control. But that's not true! You can take control, and you can do it in a way that's as effective as it is empowering. From describing your extracurriculars to interviews with admission officers, it comes down to two questions: What matters most to you? How does it manifest in your life? The answers will give direction to every part of the admission process. Ethan Sawyer (the College Essay Guy), along with dozens of top admission experts, will help you stand out by showing colleges and universities how your values and your drive will change you, your alma mater, and the world. Inside you'll find... Advice and insight from a team of counselors, advisors, and deans of admission Interactive exercises that quickly and easily provide the best content for your application Access to a massive database of online resources, including organizational tools and in-depth guides Guidance for veterans, students with learning differences, LGBTQ+ students, students interested in women's colleges or HBCUs, and more www.collegeessayguy.com Cover Page Front Cover Testimonials Title Page Copyright Contents Introduction The Inciting Incident Why This Book and Who I Am The Treasure Trove Housekeeping Gratitude Part I: What Admission Officers Want to Know Chapter 1: How to Discover and Connect with What You Care about in Twenty Minutes Part II: Ninth Grade to Eleventh Grade Essentials Chapter 2: High School Essentials Chapter 3: ACT and SAT Essentials Part III: Essentials before You Apply Chapter 4: How to Create a Balanced College List Chapter 5: Early Decision and Early Action Chapter 6: Demonstrated Interest Part IV: The College Application Chapter 7: Adrian’s Brainstorming Exercises Chapter 8: Essential Application Prework Chapter 9: How to Up-Level Your Activities List in Thirty Minutes (and Why You Should) Chapter 10: How to Write the Additional Information Section Part V: The Personal Statement Chapter 11: How to Write a Personal Statement That Matters Part VI: The Supplemental Essays Chapter 12: Creating Your Supplemental Essay Tracker Chapter 13: The Super Essay (Combining Essay Prompts to Write Better Essays in Less Time) Chapter 14: How to Write the “Why Us?” Essay Chapter 15: How to Write the Extracurricular Activity Essay Chapter 16: How to Write the “Why Major?” Essay Chapter 17: The Dos and Don’ts of the Short Answers Part VII: The Other Parts of the Application Process Chapter 18: How to Get Great Letters of Recommendation Chapter 19: How to Do the College Interview Part VIII: How to Make Sure Your Application Is Doing Its Job Chapter 20: The Values Scan Part IX: More Resources for More Students Chapter 21: Artists Chapter 22: Athletes Chapter 23: International Students Chapter 24: Homeschoolers Chapter 25: Students Interested in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) Chapter 26: First-Generation and Low-Income Students Chapter 27: Undocumented Students Chapter 28: Students with Learning Differences Chapter 29: LGBTQ+ Students Chapter 30: Self-Directed Students Chapter 31: Transfer Students Chapter 32: Veterans Chapter 33: Students Interested in Women’s Colleges Part X: After You Apply Chapter 34: How to Write a Great Letter of Continued Interest Chapter 35: How Senioritis Can Earn You a “Fear of God” Letter Part XI: After You’re Accepted Chapter 36: Financial Aid Awards, and How to Write a Financial Aid Award Appeal Letter Chapter 37: How to Decide Where to Attend Chapter 38: What to Do If You’re Not Accepted Anywhere A Final Request Appendix and Additional Resources College Planning Timeline (a.k.a. What Should I Be Doing Right Now?) Additional Resources for Students, Counselors, and Teachers About the Author Back Cover You can get into the perfect school! Discover the key to standing out from the crowd and capturing the attention of top-tier colleges with strategic insights, insider tips, and proven techniques. With expert guidance, you'll navigate the intricate college admissions landscape, ensuring you masterfully craft an application that vividly reflects who you are and what truly matters to you. You can take control of your college admission process, and you can do it in a way that's as effective as it is empowering. From describing your extracurriculars to interviews with admission officers, it comes down to two What matters most to you? How does it manifest in your life? The answers will give direction to every part of the admission process. Ethan Sawyer (the College Essay Guy), along with dozens of top admission experts, will help you stand out by showing colleges and universities how your values and your drive will change you, your alma mater, and the world. Inside you'll find... Whether you're a high school junior just beginning your college admission journey or a senior seeking that extra edge, College Admission Essentials equips you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to showcase your true self and achieve unparalleled success. "What if you could take control of the admissions process, as you apply for your dream school, and do it in a way that's both effective and empowering? From filling out your extracurriculars to interviewing with admissions staff, it comes down to two questions: What matters most to you? How does it manifest in your life? The answers to these questions will fuel every aspect of your college admissions experience, and Ethan Sawyer (the College Essay Guy), along with advice from dozens of top admissions experts, will help you stand out against the toughest competition"-- Provided by publisher