Elite American admissions systems seem shrouded in mystery. Plummeting acceptance rates suggest that even the most stellar academic record no longer suffices to differentiate a candidate from the rest of the applicant pool. The personal essay is an exercise in self-marketing, in underscoring your authentic value-add to a college campus. Without the right frameworks and insights on how to approach this task, many applicants miss the opportunity to convey something profound about themselves. After a decade of studying what works for the world's most selective admissions committees, we've crystalized the elements that distinguish winning essays from those cast upon the dreaded "rejected" pile. Through in-depth analyses of 25 Common Application Essays that have succeeded at Ivy League and "Ivy+" (Stanford, Caltech, UChicago) universities, you'll discover the transformative journey of composing an outstanding college essay that leaves a lasting impression. And beyond the samples, you'll gain actionable tools and concrete exercises in our workbook to compose your very own.

"In Changing the Playbook, Howard P. Chudacoff delves into the background and what-ifs surrounding seven defining moments that redefined college sports. These changes involved fundamental issues--race and gender, profit and power--that reflected societal tensions and, in many cases, remain pertinent today: the failed 1950 effort to pass a Sanity Code regulating payments to football players; the thorny racial integration of university sports programs; the boom in television money; the 1984 Supreme Court decision that settled who could control skyrocketing media revenues; Title IX's transformation of women's athletics; the cheating, eligibility, and recruitment scandals that tarnished college sports in the 1980s and 1990s; the ongoing controversy over paying student athletes a share of the enormous moneys harvested by schools and athletic departments. A thought-provoking journey into the whos and whys of college sports history, Changing the Playbook reveals how the turning points of yesterday and today will impact tomorrow."

Playbook contains seven political play scripts and notes on set design and lighting. Includes Howard Zinn's play about Emma Goldman.

Drawing on decades of research, Karabel shines a light on the ever-changing definition of "merit" in college admissions, showing how it shaped--and was shaped by--the country at large.

From an NFL linebacker turned Ivy League professor, discover realistic and foolproof strategies for building financial freedom in the modern world. Brandon Copeland’s determination to succeed and create the life he wanted launched him from Baltimore to the University of Pennsylvania and then to the NFL. Over his 10-year playing career, he saved and invested the majority of his earnings, created other business opportunities, and motivated his teammates as the locker room’s money professor. He returned to the same Ivy League classrooms midway through his football career to launch his Life 101 financial education platform, reaching thousands of students in person and online. Now, in this guide, Copeland breaks down his life-changing course into four digestible quarters: The Art of Hustle—optimizing opportunities and generating multiple streams of income. The Power of Growth—demystifying investing and making money work for you. The Commitment to Smart Spending—saving on major expenses and reducing everyday costs. The Promise of Legacy—unpacking dreaded topics like insurance, wills, and estate planning. Your Money Playbook is a bold, practical, and action-oriented blend of candid introspection and strategy to help readers confront their financial insecurities and commit to building new, game-changing mindsets and practices. This accessible and inspirational guide puts the playbook for creating the life you’ve always imagined right in the palm of your hand.

The eagerly anticipated inspirational memoir from Michelle Obama's brother, celebrating the extraordinary family members and mentors who have shaped his life When he stepped into history's spotlight at the National Democratic Convention, Craig Robinson recalls that nothing could have been more gratifying than introducing his sister, Michelle Obama, to millions of Americans. Within minutes, he won the hearts of the nation by sharing highlights of growing up in the modest Robinson household, where the two were raised by devoted parents who taught them the values of education, hard work, and the importance of reaching far beyond what even seemed possible. Those lessons of character were fundamentals in shaping Craig Robinson's own remarkable journey: from his days playing street basketball on Chicago's Southside, while excelling academically, to admission at Princeton University, where he was later named Ivy League Player of the Year, twice. After playing professionally in Europe, Robinson made an about-face, entering the competitive field of finance. With his MBA from the University of Chicago, his meteoric rise landed him a partnership in a promising new venture. But another dream beckoned and Craig made the unusual decision to forego the trappings of money and status in the business world in order to become a basketball coach. He soon helped transform three struggling teams - as an assistant coach at Northwestern, then as head coach at Brown and now at Oregon State University. In his first season at OSU, he navigated what was declared to be one of the nation's best single season turnarounds. In A Game of Character, Robinson takes readers behind the scenes to meet his most important influences in his understanding of the winning traits that are part of his playbook for success. Central to his story are his parents, Marian and Fraser, two indefatigable individuals who showed their children how to believe in themselves and live their lives with conviction through love, discipline and respect. With insights into this exemplary family, we relive memories of how Marian sacrificed a career to be a full-time mom, how Fraser got up and went to work every day while confronting the challenges of multiple sclerosis, how Craig and Michelle strengthened their bond as they journeyed out of the Southside to Princeton University and eventually, the national stage. Heartwarming, inspiring, and even transformational, A Game of Character comes just at the right time in an era of change, reminding readers of our opportunity to work together and embrace the character of our nation, to make a difference in the lives of others and to pave the way for the next generation. Watch a Video