Lynn F. Jacobs is a professor of Art History at the University of Arkansas, having previously taught at Vanderbilt University, California State University Northridge, the University of Redlands, and NYU. Jeremy S. Hyman is founder and chief architect of Professors' Guide™ content products, (www.professorsguide.com) and lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Arkansas. He has also taught at UCLA, MIT, and Princeton University. Together, they are authors of The Secrets of College Success: Over 800 Tips, Techniques, and Strategies Revealed. Jeffrey Durso-Finley has been director of college counseling at the Lawrenceville School, in Lawrenceville, NJ, for the last ten years. Before that, he served for eight years as assistant director of admissions at Brown University. Jonah T. Hyman is a senior at Haas Hall Academy in Fayetteville, Arkansas and is currently in the throes of the college picking—and, hopefully, getting in—process.

“Authoritative and wise. . . accessible and lively. . . . A good first book for any student embarking on the college search.”—Theodore A. O’Neill, former Dean of Admissions, University of Chicago“… easy to read, clearly organized, and very specific in its advice.  I plan to use it with my own students.”—Jon Reider, Director of College Counseling, San Francisco University High School; former Senior Admission Officer, Stanford University; and co-author of Admission Matters: What Students and Parents Need to Know about Getting Into CollegeThe college application process can seem daunting, but this book breaks the process down into logical, manageable steps. There are over 600 tips in this book. Here's one more: Read the book. It should be your first step on the path to college.”—Marjorie Savage, Parent Program Director, University of Minnesota and author, You're on Your Own (But I'm Here If You Need Me): Mentoring Your Child During the College Year“If you read one book on the college process–this is the one you want. Straightforward, spot-on advice to streamline the college exploration and admission process, improve outcomes, and reduce stress for students and families.”—Barbara T. Conner, Director of College Counseling, Foxcroft School, Middleburg, VA, and Creator of #FiveFirstChoiceColleges “… will become the ‘go to’ resource for parents and students alike…  delivers the most up-to-date, practical compendium available today of the ever-evolving landscape of college admissions.”—Franca Rawitz, Independent College Counselor & Founder, ReadySetCollegeNYC“… informative, current and logical, full of important information on a wide variety of topics, yet concise and easy to understand.  I wish every family I work with would get a copy.”—Alyssa O'Brien, Director of College Guidance, Lawrence Woodmere Academy, Woodmere, NY and former Admissions Reader, Northeastern University“…captures the essence of the process and provides excellent tips and suggestions to students (and parents!) who are just beginning this journey.   Having two sons who went through this process a few years ago, I can say that it would have been helpful to them to have a similar “Guide” handy.”—Diane Freytag, Director of Counseling and Advising, The Overlake School, Redmond, WA   “… packed with practical pointers and compiled specifically for students, it’s like having a college coach by your side. Filled with advice from college professionals -- including admissions officers -- this book is easily accessible and is a must-read.”—Alicia J. Linsey, Counselor, Lexington High School Lexington, MA and founder and independent counselor, The Academic Advancement Group“… does a fantastic job of capturing the ‘moving target’ of college admissions.  Its easy-to-follow format, complete with web links for digging deeper and finding the latest updates, make it a must-have for high school students. It not only answers standard college related questions, but also answers important questions that students may not otherwise know that they should ask.”—Sandy Aprahamian, Independent Educational Consultant, EDNavigators LLC “… really drills down to the nuanced questions students should ask themselves. Sharing with students and families an actual reader rating card that admissions officers use to evaluate each component of the application is worth its weight in gold! A valuable resource for students, parents and counselors!”—Beth Ann Burkmar,  Associate Director of College Counseling, The Hun School of Princeton, Princeton, NJ; former Regional Director of Admissions, University of Pennsylvania; and former Admissions Counselor, Drexel University“It would take hours, even weeks, to gain the knowledge on one’s own that is so accessibly offered in this guide.  The authors of this book did their audience a huge favor by doing a lot of the hardcore research and web searching that has taken me over a decade to acquire as a full-time college counselor.”—Kelly B. Richards, Director of College Counseling, St. George's School, Providence, RI“Hundreds of tips with catchy headings (“Best-Kept Secret,” “Reality Check,” “Epic Fail!”) jump off the pages, making it simple for even the busiest (or laziest!) teenagers to find them. Parents, too, will appreciate the ease of honing in on concise explanations, suggestions ... and warnings.”—Sally Rubenstone, Senior Advisor, College Confidential

• To You—The Future College Student xvTop 10 Reasons to Read This Book xixThe Professors’ Guide™ Icons xxi1 STARTING YOUR SEARCH 110 Questions to Ask Yourself as You Begin Your College Search 2Learning the Landscape: The 6 Major Kinds of College 78 Things That Make Better Schools Better 132 BUILDING THE LIST 1910 Tips for Making Your Initial List 21Top 12 Websites to Help You Construct Your Initial List 27Top 10 Websites for Finding Scholarships 32Surfing the College Website: Tips and Techniques 3411 Tips for Going to See Your College Counselor 39Top 10 Ways to Make the Most of the College Night (or College Rep Visit) 45Do’s and Don’ts for Attending College Fairs 51The 10 Biggest Financial Aid Mistakes—and How to Avoid Them 57Applying Early? 10 Questions to Ask If You’re Considering Early Decision or Early Action 673 GOING ON TOUR 75FAQs for Planning Your College Visits: A Beginner’s Guide 76Top 10 Things to See and Do on a College Visit 8321 Must-Ask Questions on the Campus Tour (and Why You Should Ask Them) 9110 Things to Look for When Visiting a Class (or Two) 97Top 12 Tips for Nailing an On- (or Off-) Campus Interview 1024 TAKING THE TESTS 111FAQs about Standardized Tests 113Your Step-by-Step Plan for Preparing for the SAT and ACT 121Top 10 SAT/ACT Test-Taking Tips 127Top 10 Tips for the English Section 132Top 10 Tips to Make Yourself a Mathmagician (or at least Kill the Math Section) 1387 Things You Need to Know about Your Calculator (but Might Not) 144Top 10 Strategies for the Reading Section 149The Science of Taking the Science Section on the ACT 15510 Best Tips for Writing the SAT/ACT Essay 160Flash! Big 7 Changes to the 2016 SAT—and What to Do about Them 1665 CONSTRUCTING THE APPLICATIONS 173Top 10 Strategies for Making Your Final List 1759 Things Admission Officers Look for in an Application 182Top 10 Tips for Writing the Common App Essay 18710 Best Ideas for Filling Out the Activities Section of the Common App 196Top 10 Tips for Getting Awesome Letters of Recommendation 2028 Secrets for Answering the Supplemental Questions 2086 MAKING THE CHOICE 215Top 10 Strategies for Making Your Final Choice 216Top 10 Tips for Assessing the Financial Aid Offer 223APPENDIX HOW ADMISSIONS DECISIONS ARE MADE (from a Presentation given at the 2014 Harvard Summer Institute on College Admissions) 233Web Resources 247Index 255

Lynn F. Jacobs is a professor of Art History at the University of Arkansas, having previously taught at Vanderbilt University, California State University Northridge, the University of Redlands, and NYU. Jeremy S. Hyman is founder and chief architect of Professors' Guide™ content products, (www.professorsguide.com) and lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Arkansas. He has also taught at UCLA, MIT, and Princeton University. Together, they are authors of The Secrets of College Success: Over 800 Tips, Techniques, and Strategies Revealed. Jeffrey Durso-Finley has been director of college counseling at the Lawrenceville School, in Lawrenceville, NJ, for the last ten years. Before that, he served for eight years as assistant director of admissions at Brown University. Jonah T. Hyman is a senior at Haas Hall Academy in Fayetteville, Arkansas and is currently in the throes of the college picking—and, hopefully, getting in—process.

“Authoritative and wise. . . accessible and lively. . . . A good first book for any student embarking on the college search.”—Theodore A. O’Neill, former Dean of Admissions, University of Chicago“… easy to read, clearly organized, and very specific in its advice.  I plan to use it with my own students.”—Jon Reider, Director of College Counseling, San Francisco University High School; former Senior Admission Officer, Stanford University; and co-author of Admission Matters: What Students and Parents Need to Know about Getting Into CollegeThe college application process can seem daunting, but this book breaks the process down into logical, manageable steps. There are over 600 tips in this book. Here's one more: Read the book. It should be your first step on the path to college.”—Marjorie Savage, Parent Program Director, University of Minnesota and author, You're on Your Own (But I'm Here If You Need Me): Mentoring Your Child During the College Year“If you read one book on the college process–this is the one you want. Straightforward, spot-on advice to streamline the college exploration and admission process, improve outcomes, and reduce stress for students and families.”—Barbara T. Conner, Director of College Counseling, Foxcroft School, Middleburg, VA, and Creator of #FiveFirstChoiceColleges “… will become the ‘go to’ resource for parents and students alike…  delivers the most up-to-date, practical compendium available today of the ever-evolving landscape of college admissions.”—Franca Rawitz, Independent College Counselor & Founder, ReadySetCollegeNYC“… informative, current and logical, full of important information on a wide variety of topics, yet concise and easy to understand.  I wish every family I work with would get a copy.”—Alyssa O'Brien, Director of College Guidance, Lawrence Woodmere Academy, Woodmere, NY and former Admissions Reader, Northeastern University“…captures the essence of the process and provides excellent tips and suggestions to students (and parents!) who are just beginning this journey.   Having two sons who went through this process a few years ago, I can say that it would have been helpful to them to have a similar “Guide” handy.”—Diane Freytag, Director of Counseling and Advising, The Overlake School, Redmond, WA   “… packed with practical pointers and compiled specifically for students, it’s like having a college coach by your side. Filled with advice from college professionals -- including admissions officers -- this book is easily accessible and is a must-read.”—Alicia J. Linsey, Counselor, Lexington High School Lexington, MA and founder and independent counselor, The Academic Advancement Group“… does a fantastic job of capturing the ‘moving target’ of college admissions.  Its easy-to-follow format, complete with web links for digging deeper and finding the latest updates, make it a must-have for high school students. It not only answers standard college related questions, but also answers important questions that students may not otherwise know that they should ask.”—Sandy Aprahamian, Independent Educational Consultant, EDNavigators LLC “… really drills down to the nuanced questions students should ask themselves. Sharing with students and families an actual reader rating card that admissions officers use to evaluate each component of the application is worth its weight in gold! A valuable resource for students, parents and counselors!”—Beth Ann Burkmar,  Associate Director of College Counseling, The Hun School of Princeton, Princeton, NJ; former Regional Director of Admissions, University of Pennsylvania; and former Admissions Counselor, Drexel University“It would take hours, even weeks, to gain the knowledge on one’s own that is so accessibly offered in this guide.  The authors of this book did their audience a huge favor by doing a lot of the hardcore research and web searching that has taken me over a decade to acquire as a full-time college counselor.”—Kelly B. Richards, Director of College Counseling, St. George's School, Providence, RI“Hundreds of tips with catchy headings (“Best-Kept Secret,” “Reality Check,” “Epic Fail!”) jump off the pages, making it simple for even the busiest (or laziest!) teenagers to find them. Parents, too, will appreciate the ease of honing in on concise explanations, suggestions ... and warnings.”—Sally Rubenstone, Senior Advisor, College Confidential

• To You—The Future College Student xvTop 10 Reasons to Read This Book xixThe Professors’ Guide™ Icons xxi1 STARTING YOUR SEARCH 110 Questions to Ask Yourself as You Begin Your College Search 2Learning the Landscape: The 6 Major Kinds of College 78 Things That Make Better Schools Better 132 BUILDING THE LIST 1910 Tips for Making Your Initial List 21Top 12 Websites to Help You Construct Your Initial List 27Top 10 Websites for Finding Scholarships 32Surfing the College Website: Tips and Techniques 3411 Tips for Going to See Your College Counselor 39Top 10 Ways to Make the Most of the College Night (or College Rep Visit) 45Do’s and Don’ts for Attending College Fairs 51The 10 Biggest Financial Aid Mistakes—and How to Avoid Them 57Applying Early? 10 Questions to Ask If You’re Considering Early Decision or Early Action 673 GOING ON TOUR 75FAQs for Planning Your College Visits: A Beginner’s Guide 76Top 10 Things to See and Do on a College Visit 8321 Must-Ask Questions on the Campus Tour (and Why You Should Ask Them) 9110 Things to Look for When Visiting a Class (or Two) 97Top 12 Tips for Nailing an On- (or Off-) Campus Interview 1024 TAKING THE TESTS 111FAQs about Standardized Tests 113Your Step-by-Step Plan for Preparing for the SAT and ACT 121Top 10 SAT/ACT Test-Taking Tips 127Top 10 Tips for the English Section 132Top 10 Tips to Make Yourself a Mathmagician (or at least Kill the Math Section) 1387 Things You Need to Know about Your Calculator (but Might Not) 144Top 10 Strategies for the Reading Section 149The Science of Taking the Science Section on the ACT 15510 Best Tips for Writing the SAT/ACT Essay 160Flash! Big 7 Changes to the 2016 SAT—and What to Do about Them 1665 CONSTRUCTING THE APPLICATIONS 173Top 10 Strategies for Making Your Final List 1759 Things Admission Officers Look for in an Application 182Top 10 Tips for Writing the Common App Essay 18710 Best Ideas for Filling Out the Activities Section of the Common App 196Top 10 Tips for Getting Awesome Letters of Recommendation 2028 Secrets for Answering the Supplemental Questions 2086 MAKING THE CHOICE 215Top 10 Strategies for Making Your Final Choice 216Top 10 Tips for Assessing the Financial Aid Offer 223APPENDIX HOW ADMISSIONS DECISIONS ARE MADE (from a Presentation given at the 2014 Harvard Summer Institute on College Admissions) 233Web Resources 247Index 255

Lynn F. Jacobs is a professor of Art History at the University of Arkansas, having previously taught at Vanderbilt University, California State University Northridge, the University of Redlands, and NYU. Jeremy S. Hyman is founder and chief architect of Professors' Guide™ content products, (www.professorsguide.com) and lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Arkansas. He has also taught at UCLA, MIT, and Princeton University. Together, they are authors of The Secrets of College Success: Over 800 Tips, Techniques, and Strategies Revealed. Jeffrey Durso-Finley has been director of college counseling at the Lawrenceville School, in Lawrenceville, NJ, for the last ten years. Before that, he served for eight years as assistant director of admissions at Brown University. Jonah T. Hyman is a senior at Haas Hall Academy in Fayetteville, Arkansas and is currently in the throes of the college picking—and, hopefully, getting in—process.

“Authoritative and wise. . . accessible and lively. . . . A good first book for any student embarking on the college search.”—Theodore A. O’Neill, former Dean of Admissions, University of Chicago“… easy to read, clearly organized, and very specific in its advice.  I plan to use it with my own students.”—Jon Reider, Director of College Counseling, San Francisco University High School; former Senior Admission Officer, Stanford University; and co-author of Admission Matters: What Students and Parents Need to Know about Getting Into CollegeThe college application process can seem daunting, but this book breaks the process down into logical, manageable steps. There are over 600 tips in this book. Here's one more: Read the book. It should be your first step on the path to college.”—Marjorie Savage, Parent Program Director, University of Minnesota and author, You're on Your Own (But I'm Here If You Need Me): Mentoring Your Child During the College Year“If you read one book on the college process–this is the one you want. Straightforward, spot-on advice to streamline the college exploration and admission process, improve outcomes, and reduce stress for students and families.”—Barbara T. Conner, Director of College Counseling, Foxcroft School, Middleburg, VA, and Creator of #FiveFirstChoiceColleges “… will become the ‘go to’ resource for parents and students alike…  delivers the most up-to-date, practical compendium available today of the ever-evolving landscape of college admissions.”—Franca Rawitz, Independent College Counselor & Founder, ReadySetCollegeNYC“… informative, current and logical, full of important information on a wide variety of topics, yet concise and easy to understand.  I wish every family I work with would get a copy.”—Alyssa O'Brien, Director of College Guidance, Lawrence Woodmere Academy, Woodmere, NY and former Admissions Reader, Northeastern University“…captures the essence of the process and provides excellent tips and suggestions to students (and parents!) who are just beginning this journey.   Having two sons who went through this process a few years ago, I can say that it would have been helpful to them to have a similar “Guide” handy.”—Diane Freytag, Director of Counseling and Advising, The Overlake School, Redmond, WA   “… packed with practical pointers and compiled specifically for students, it’s like having a college coach by your side. Filled with advice from college professionals -- including admissions officers -- this book is easily accessible and is a must-read.”—Alicia J. Linsey, Counselor, Lexington High School Lexington, MA and founder and independent counselor, The Academic Advancement Group“… does a fantastic job of capturing the ‘moving target’ of college admissions.  Its easy-to-follow format, complete with web links for digging deeper and finding the latest updates, make it a must-have for high school students. It not only answers standard college related questions, but also answers important questions that students may not otherwise know that they should ask.”—Sandy Aprahamian, Independent Educational Consultant, EDNavigators LLC “… really drills down to the nuanced questions students should ask themselves. Sharing with students and families an actual reader rating card that admissions officers use to evaluate each component of the application is worth its weight in gold! A valuable resource for students, parents and counselors!”—Beth Ann Burkmar,  Associate Director of College Counseling, The Hun School of Princeton, Princeton, NJ; former Regional Director of Admissions, University of Pennsylvania; and former Admissions Counselor, Drexel University“It would take hours, even weeks, to gain the knowledge on one’s own that is so accessibly offered in this guide.  The authors of this book did their audience a huge favor by doing a lot of the hardcore research and web searching that has taken me over a decade to acquire as a full-time college counselor.”—Kelly B. Richards, Director of College Counseling, St. George's School, Providence, RI“Hundreds of tips with catchy headings (“Best-Kept Secret,” “Reality Check,” “Epic Fail!”) jump off the pages, making it simple for even the busiest (or laziest!) teenagers to find them. Parents, too, will appreciate the ease of honing in on concise explanations, suggestions ... and warnings.”—Sally Rubenstone, Senior Advisor, College Confidential

• To You—The Future College Student xvTop 10 Reasons to Read This Book xixThe Professors’ Guide™ Icons xxi1 STARTING YOUR SEARCH 110 Questions to Ask Yourself as You Begin Your College Search 2Learning the Landscape: The 6 Major Kinds of College 78 Things That Make Better Schools Better 132 BUILDING THE LIST 1910 Tips for Making Your Initial List 21Top 12 Websites to Help You Construct Your Initial List 27Top 10 Websites for Finding Scholarships 32Surfing the College Website: Tips and Techniques 3411 Tips for Going to See Your College Counselor 39Top 10 Ways to Make the Most of the College Night (or College Rep Visit) 45Do’s and Don’ts for Attending College Fairs 51The 10 Biggest Financial Aid Mistakes—and How to Avoid Them 57Applying Early? 10 Questions to Ask If You’re Considering Early Decision or Early Action 673 GOING ON TOUR 75FAQs for Planning Your College Visits: A Beginner’s Guide 76Top 10 Things to See and Do on a College Visit 8321 Must-Ask Questions on the Campus Tour (and Why You Should Ask Them) 9110 Things to Look for When Visiting a Class (or Two) 97Top 12 Tips for Nailing an On- (or Off-) Campus Interview 1024 TAKING THE TESTS 111FAQs about Standardized Tests 113Your Step-by-Step Plan for Preparing for the SAT and ACT 121Top 10 SAT/ACT Test-Taking Tips 127Top 10 Tips for the English Section 132Top 10 Tips to Make Yourself a Mathmagician (or at least Kill the Math Section) 1387 Things You Need to Know about Your Calculator (but Might Not) 144Top 10 Strategies for the Reading Section 149The Science of Taking the Science Section on the ACT 15510 Best Tips for Writing the SAT/ACT Essay 160Flash! Big 7 Changes to the 2016 SAT—and What to Do about Them 1665 CONSTRUCTING THE APPLICATIONS 173Top 10 Strategies for Making Your Final List 1759 Things Admission Officers Look for in an Application 182Top 10 Tips for Writing the Common App Essay 18710 Best Ideas for Filling Out the Activities Section of the Common App 196Top 10 Tips for Getting Awesome Letters of Recommendation 2028 Secrets for Answering the Supplemental Questions 2086 MAKING THE CHOICE 215Top 10 Strategies for Making Your Final Choice 216Top 10 Tips for Assessing the Financial Aid Offer 223APPENDIX HOW ADMISSIONS DECISIONS ARE MADE (from a Presentation given at the 2014 Harvard Summer Institute on College Admissions) 233Web Resources 247Index 255