Some College Guides and Other Helpful Books on the Process
On choosing a college—The first three books on this list are favorites, and if you actually read them (or most of them) you will feel better about the process and be able to face the coming year of change and transition with calm and a positive attitude (we hope):
The Fiske Guide to Colleges, by Edward B. Fiske. The most useful book to own and is the first book every high school counselor reaches for. Not all schools are listed in here, but most of the schools to which O’Dowd students apply are listed.
The Fiske Guide to Getting into the Right College, by Edward B. Fiske. Another guide that gives a step-by-step process that is well written. This book is very approachable if you are looking for a how-to book.
Harvard Schmarvard: Getting Beyond the Ivy League to the College that is Best for You, by Jay Mathews. Similar in perspective to Loren Pope’s, this book offers insights into the admissions process and points out that the best college is the one that brings out the best in you. Jay Mathews is the education writer for the Washington Post and a regular contributor to the Atlantic Monthly. This book provides a very refreshing perspective.
College Unranked, edited by Lloyd Thacker. Bob Laird, UC Berkeley’s former director of admissions, says “College Unranked is the most important effort yet to yank back the college application/admission process from the grasp of college rankings, commercial guidebooks, and expensive private consultants and to restore it where it belongs: in the hands of students and their parents.” A collection of essays from admissions directors, guidance counselors, and parents, this book will calm your nerves and give a realistic, rational picture of college and finding the best fit. Available only from www.educationconservancy.org.
The College Handbook updated and published yearly by the College Board. A complete listing of every college in the country, both 4-year and 2-year, this is primarily a reference book that lists merely data, but can be helpful when looking at snapshot factual data on a college.
Looking Beyond the Ivy League, by Loren Pope. This book dispels myths and encourages students and their parents to consider schools based on how well they serve the growth and development of students. He urges families to look beyond the prestige factor to find some true gems.
Colleges that Change Lives, by Loren Pope. A companion book to Looking Beyond the Ivy League, Pope profiles 40 colleges that he believes are top quality but often overlooked.
Winning the Heart of the College Admissions Dean, by Joyce Slayton Mitchell. This book provides a down-to-earth perspective and a step-by-step guide to all of the factors that go into the application process. It is practical and insightful.
8 First Choices, by Joyce Slayton Mitchell. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to say you got into your first choice school? This is about looking for the best fit and falling in love with all the schools to which you apply. It is also about being realistic.
The Multicultural Student’s Guide to Colleges, by Robert Mitchell. This book offers a critical look at top schools and tells what is offered socially and academically to students of color. The last printing was 1996, and in recent years, many schools have made strong strides addressing minority concerns. Check college websites to receive the most updated information. However, this can still be a valuable resource.
Cool Colleges: For the Hyper-Intelligent, Self-Directed, Late Blooming, and Just Plain
Different, by Donald Asher. This book offers a different perspective on what makes a great education that carries value beyond the college years. For the student who has a different take on life this may be just the right guide.
The Hidden Ivies, by Howard Greene and Matthew Greene. Written by a father and son who are well respected in the field of college advising, this book focuses on 30 liberal arts colleges and universities that are of comparable quality to the Ivy League schools.
They discuss the value of a liberal arts education and present the schools they feel have exceptional merit in providing their graduates a strong foundation for life after graduation.
For books that will help you sort through the financial aid maze:
Discounts and Deals at the Nation’s 360 Best Colleges, by Bruce Hammond. Although last published in August 1999, this book still delivers good information about merit-based aid. Do verify the information with financial aid websites at various colleges.
The Ambitious Student’s Guide to Scholarships, published by Octameron and available through their website. Part of their college admissions series, this book demystifies the process. Many of the books in the Octameron series are excellent for their straightforward approach to college admissions and financial aid.
For help in improving study habits and techniques, this is also a valuable resource for studying in high school:
How to Study in College, by Walter Pauk. We recommend this book to everyone who wants to become a better student. It covers a wealth of information and techniques, which can help any student understand how to study better, read better, write better, and learn more effectively. Often recommended for students with learning disabilities, this book is an essential tool for every student. While the author appears to be targeting college students, his suggestions are entirely applicable to high school students.
And one for the parents to help you understand the roller coaster you and your child are on:
Letting Go: A Parent’s Guide to Understanding the College Years, by Karen Levin Coburn and Madge Lawrence Treeger. This book is a particularly valuable resource for parents
college. The college years are a transition for teenagers and their parents, and the sage advice in Letting Go may provide understanding and relief.
Useful Websites
www.bishopodowd.org * The Counseling Center’s own website, accessed through Counseling, we provide information on our process and links to many of the sites listed in this document as well as to college web pages. We are continually updating and refining the information on the site.
http://connection.naviance.com/odowd * Bishop O’Dowd and our families are users of this site that complements the work that counselors do with students around careers, colleges, and the application process. Various assessments are assigned students, including a personality assessment based on Myers-Briggs, a learning styles survey, and the Holland assessment for career interests.
Testing
www.collegeboard.com * Sign up for SAT Reasoning and Subject tests. Bishop O’Dowd school code is 052185
www.act.org * Sign up for ACT (must include Writing option). Bishop O’Dowd school code is 052185
www.fairtest.org For a critical look on testing for college, visit this site. You will find a current list of schools where submission of SAT’s is optional
Perspectives on the College Process
www.nacacnet.org The official site for the National Association of College Admission
Counseling, there are web pages with plenty of information for students and parents.
www.ctcl.com * This is Loren Pope’s website that links to his book, Colleges That Change Lives. The site has thumbnail sketches of those colleges, plus articles addressing issues of interest and concern to students and their parents. This is a very interesting and informative site that also provides links to other sources important to your search.
www.womenscolleges.org Website established by the Women’s Colleges Coalition to promote the benefits of a women’s college. Understanding these benefits should be a part of every woman’s college search. Provides very valuable information and compelling presentation.
http://www.hbcu-central.com/ * The official Historically Black College and University homepage.
www.blackexcel.org/ This is a rich website that offers a valuable perspective on opportunities for minorities. While it is primarily aimed at African-Americans, it also addresses
issues that Hispanics and Native Americans face, and it has a number of articles that are valuable resources to all students who conduct a thorough search into higher education.
College Research and Applications
www.ucop.edu * This is the University of California home page. Every campus can be accessed from this site. You will file your application from this site. Everything you need to know about UC can be found here.
www.csumentor.edu * This is the home page for the California State University System. All the requirements for admissions are listed here, and there are links to each campus in the system. You may also apply online to any of the CSU campuses.
www.commonapp.org * This is a one-stop site for applying to private colleges and universities.
Schools that are members of the common application organization have agreed to giving the same regard for the common application as they do for their own college application. Many use only the common application. Pay particular attention to supplemental requirements.
http://www.mit.edu:8001/people/cdemello/univ.html A commercial website that provides direct links to college and university home pages.
http://www.ucan-network.org/ * This is a non-profit website that only posts information about independent colleges and universities (e.g. no public schools).
www.ncaa.org * Register here for NCAA Clearinghouse if you expect to play on an NCAA team in college. In your junior spring, download initial and final transcript release forms and give to Mrs. Soller in Counseling.
http://www.campustours.com/ * This is a commercial website that provides at-a-glance data about colleges, photo tours, webcams (what it really looks like in winter!), and summaries and information about colleges from a wide variety of sources.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
www.finaid.org * This is a non-profit website that was established as a public service to aid parents and families in navigating the financial aid process. You may complete the FAFSA online, access information on financial aid, read about financial aid scams.
Become familiar with this site as it will demystify financial aid and help you navigate this process.
www.fafsa.ed.gov * Families can apply for financial aid online in a secure, encrypted format.
http://www.calgrants.org * The California Student Aid Commission website with everything
http://www.parentplusloan.com/plus-loans/ PLUS loans are for parents and the rates are nicely discounted. These loans are not need based – anyone can apply. Often overlooked, this is a valuable resource for parents funding their child’s education.
www.fastweb.com * Use this free searchable database to find more than 400,000 scholarships.
The monthly newsletters have valuable, up-to-date information on scams, money for college, and the application process and is downloadable in Adobe Acrobat.
https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/prf/index.jsp * Apply online for financial aid from private colleges (some use only the FAFSA – check each college’s financial aid web page.
http://tuitionfundingsources.com/index.php * Tuition Funding Sources is a privately sponsored (Coca Cola) site that claims to hold the world’s largest scholarship database. They accept no advertisers and collect no data on those who use it. They claim to be safe and secure.
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/add-it-up/401.html * Calculate your estimated family contribution (EFC) for college expenses. Note: The federal methodology is for public schools and the institutional methodology will give you your EFC private schools. The estimates are rough and aid will also depend on college resources.
* This site is linked from Family Connection. Scroll down the left hand bar to “From your School” where links to other websites are listed.
A FEW PARTING THOUGHTS . . .
As you begin your college search, you will discover some wonderful schools that have been unknown to you and your parents. Are they any good, you wonder? They certainly can be – and always keep in mind, that the “cream always rises.” It is all up to you, following your passion, and making the most of your talents and resources. Some of the most successful people with incredible careers came from schools that just might make you sit up and take notice. These people found opportunity, support, and the freedom to pursue a vision. Following are just a few we have gathered from various sources*.
Pearl Buck, author and Nobel Prize in Literature Agnes Scott College, GA
Blythe Danner, Actor Chevy Chase, Actor Bard College, NY
Bryant Gumbel, TV Newscaster Edmund Muskie, US Senator Bates College, ME
Joan Benoit Samuelson, President of LL Bean and winner of first Women’s Olympic Marathon George Mitchell, US Senator and chief negotiator of the Irish peace settlement
Bowdoin College, ME
Emily Green Balch, first woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize (1946) Bryn Mawr College, PA
Garrick Utley, ABC News Carleton College, MN
General Colin Powell, Chairman, Joint Chief of Staff, Secretary of State City College of CUNY
Robert Reich, economist, writer, UC Berkeley professor, commentator for NPR Theodore Giesel (Dr. Seuss), writer and cartoonist
Dartmouth College
Michael Eisner, former CEO Disney Denison University, OH
Barbara Kingsolver, Author John Glenn, Astronaut
Vernon Jordan, Washington D.C. lawyer and Clinton advisor DePauw University, IN
Michael C. Hall, Actor on Six Feet Under Earlham College, IN
Andrew Grove, Founder of INTEL Herbie Hancock, Musician
Grinnell College, IA B.F. Skinner, Psychologist Hamilton College, NY
Joseph Taylor, 1993 Nobel Prize in Physics
Juan Williams, Author of Eyes on the Prize, reporter for the Washington Post, and Senior Correspondent for NPR
Dave Barry, Pulitzer Prize-winning humor columnist Haverford College
Debbie Allen, Dancer, Choreographer, Director, Actress Ed Bradley, TV Commentator, Radio host
Edward Brooke, 1st African-American elected to US Senate
Thurgood Marshall, 1st African-American US Supreme Curt Justice Howard University
Bob Jamison, ABC News
Ismat Kittani, Former President of the UN General Assembly Knox College, IL
Lee Iacocca, former CEO Chrysler Lehigh University, PA
Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General
Walter Mondale, former US Senator and Vice President Macalester College, MN
Lawrence H. Summers, 27th President of Harvard University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA (he was rejected by Harvard!) Brad Pitt, Actor
U of Missouri
Samuel L. Jackson, Stage and film actor, Academy Award Hominee
Arthur E. Johnson, President and COO Lockheed Martin Information Services Sector Shelton “Spike” Lee, Filmmaker and President, 40 Acres and a Mule
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Morehouse College George Clooney, Actor
Northern Kentucky University, KY Carl Rowan, Newspaper columnist Oberlin College, OH
Steve Jobs, Founder of Apple Computers Reed College, OR