College Admissions Resources

Books

The number of books on college admissions is staggering, and grows daily! While many offer sound advice, they really vary in quality. And some—especially those that promise to get you into a highly selective school—aren't worth your time. The following books are among the most up-to-date and reliable sources of information.

General Guides

Fiske Guide to Colleges 2010 (Fiske) is highly recommended; it goes beyond statistics and describes school environments with astounding accuracy. One important rule for any book you're considering is to check the publication date. Most guides are updated annually, and for good reason. Buy only the most recent version.

Four-Year College 2010 (Peterson's) provides comprehensive information on every accredited four-year institution in the United States and Canada (where you'll find some amazing bargains).

Targeted Info Guide

Colleges that Change Lives: 40 Schools that Will Change the Way you Think About Colleges (Penguin) was groundbreaking when it came out over a decade ago, and now (revised and updated) it's a classic. If you can't get beyond brand name paralysis, here's where to start.

General Admissions Process Guides

A Is for Admission: The Insider's Guide to Getting into the Ivy League and Other Top Colleges (Grand Central) gives valuable advice from an industry insider on what really goes on in the admissions offices of highly selective schools. Michele Hernandez reveals the mathematical formula used to rank applicants, and offers advice for raising yours.

The New Rules of College Admissions: Ten Former Admissions Officers Reveal What it Takes to Get Into College Today (Fireside) offers sound advice that covers a wide range of topics (extracurricular activities, choosing a college, interviews, recommendations). For a broad understanding of the general admissions process, it's a great place to start.

Finances

Paying for College Without Going Broke 2010 (Princeton Review) is a great resource for getting a good deal on a college education. This book covers much more than just financial aid, including understanding how to get tax breaks, negotiating with schools (yes, it can work!), and planning ahead to save before you begin the application process.

Test Practice

The folks who make the ACT and SAT exams offer actual retired tests so you can gauge your progress. The Official SAT Study Guide (College Board) and The Real ACT Prep Guide (Peterson's) are a great way to practice. But these companies don't give too much away. For explanations of question types and strategies, you'll need to look elsewhere.

In-Depth Test Strategy

Don't overlook the importance of understanding how admissions tests are designed to make you stumble, and how to outsmart them. Up Your Score: The Underground Guide to the SAT (Workman Publishing) and ACT Preparation in a Flash (LearningExpress) are the books to turn to for solid test strategy.