Did you know that most elite colleges typically accept only about 2,000 students for their incoming class? That means that of the 34,000 valedictorians, class presidents, and star athletes graduating from high school every year, an average of only 6% applying to selective colleges will be accepted. Given the stiff competition, you may be wondering, how you can stand out in the college admissions process. In Hacking Elite College Admissions: 50 Surprising Insights on the College Application Process, you will learn: How to write a meaningful college admissions essay The role of testing and grades in the admissions process How to motivate your advocates, i.e. guidance counselors, teachers, mentors, to write excellent letters of recommendation on your behalf How to apply for scholarships in order to make college affordable While the college application process can be overwhelming, this comprehensive guide includes expert advice from admissions officers to help guide you through this process with accurate up-to-date information. You do not need to do this alone! On the Back Cover: Please include Foreword on the Back Cover of my book. Foreword by John Branam, Executive Director of Get Schooled Foundation

From award-winning higher education journalist and New York Times bestselling author Jeffrey Selingo comes a revealing look from inside the admissions office—one that identifies surprising strategies that will aid in the college search. Getting into a top-ranked college has never seemed more impossible, with acceptance rates at some elite universities dipping into the single digits. In Who Gets In and Why, journalist and higher education expert Jeffrey Selingo dispels entrenched notions of how to compete and win at the admissions game, and reveals that teenagers and parents have much to gain by broadening their notion of what qualifies as a “good college.” Hint: it’s not all about the sticker on the car window. Selingo, who was embedded in three different admissions offices—a selective private university, a leading liberal arts college, and a flagship public campus—closely observed gatekeepers as they made their often agonizing and sometimes life-changing decisions. He also followed select students and their parents, and he traveled around the country meeting with high school counselors, marketers, behind-the-scenes consultants, and college rankers. While many have long believed that admissions is merit-based, rewarding the best students, Who Gets In and Why presents a more complicated truth, showing that “who gets in” is frequently more about the college’s agenda than the applicant. In a world where thousands of equally qualified students vie for a fixed number of spots at elite institutions, admissions officers often make split-second decisions based on a variety of factors—like diversity, money, and, ultimately, whether a student will enroll if accepted. One of the most insightful books ever about “getting in” and what higher education has become, Who Gets In and Why not only provides an unusually intimate look at how admissions decisions get made, but guides prospective students on how to honestly assess their strengths and match with the schools that will best serve their interests.

Furnishes a guide on how to negotiate the college admissions process, offering advice, tools, and procedures that cover everything from the college application timetable to writing an effective application essay.

Demystifying the process of completing a college application Written by two former admissions officers at top universities and current admissions coaches, this book is a must-have for preparing a winning college application. The authors reveal the mystery behind what college admissions officers are looking for and show applicants how to leverage their credentials, stand out in the over-crowded applicants' pool, and make a genuine, memorable impression. This is the book that will help the college-bound get off the "like many others" pile and onto the acceptance list. Includes instructions and examples for every component of the college application, from writing the essay to answering questions like "Why do you want to go to College X?" Shows how to avoid underestimating the importance of critical features on any application Includes the latest information on the Common Application 4.0 and corrects outdated, holdover advice still stressed in many other books This book is filled with step-by-step advice that students and parents can use immediately and will refer to again and again.

From the college admissions experts—where to go, how to get in, and how to pay for it Zinch.com is the largest online social network connecting students with colleges and scholarship opportunities. With 2.5 million student profiles and more than 800 universities—from Yale to Stanford, and American University to community colleges—Zinch offers students an efficient, relevant, and effective way to find the "right- fit" school, how to get in, and how to pay for it. Getting In: The Zinch Guide to College Admissions & Financial Aid in the Digital Age is your college admissions how-to guide, written by experts with insider guidance to the entire college admission process. Leveraging the power of Zinch.com, it covers every aspect of the college application process, from choosing the right (vs.best) schools, visiting campuses, improving your odds with a dynamic application strategy, meeting with a college advisor, working with athletic recruiting, applying for financial aid, knowing what to do if you are on a wait list, and much more. Incredibly well-connected authors Leverages the power of Zinch.com, the largest online social network of its kind Application do's and don'ts If you are one of the 2.2 million high school seniors ready to embark on the next step in your education, Getting In: The Zinch Guide to College Admissions & Financial Aid in the Digital Age is your go-to guide for getting into the college of your dreams—without ever breaking a sweat.

"A guide for students and families that demystifies the college process"--