Customer Reviews

College is Yours in 600 Words or Less: The Roeper School College Handbook

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My daughter and I both read this book and actually used a bunch of Patrick O'Connor's college admission tips. We really appreciated his experience, and I believe a couple of his creative ideas gave my daughter some extra admissions leverage (she was accepted by the Big 10 college of her choice within 7 days of sending her online application). Specifically, as a high school senior, my daughter used O'Connor's very helpful advice on:

--Application deadlines
--Essays
--Letters of recommendation
--Community Service
--Extracurricular Activities

We were aware of the college admission basics, but "College is Yours" gave my daughter some different angles and approaches to utilize on her essays and applications. The book is concise and exceptionally easy to use. The author is also available via email if you find yourself with a question not covered in his text--this is a man that knows his admissions process, and has the contacts for your further assistance, if needed!

As a Psychologist specializing in work with adolescents I have to say that this is the best college counseling book that I have ever read. Although the cover carries the imprint of a specific school, the content is applicable to any college seeking student. Dr. O'Connor delivers great wisdom and insight in a way that is light, honest, funny, and not at all condescending. He truly gets to the essence of what choosing a college is REALLY about. I have recommended this book to many of the students and parents that I work with and everyone loves it. The chapter on how to talk to parents about college seems to be a big hit. It is my hope that college counselors everywhere will read this book and apply these principles when guiding students. A lot of stress, confusion, and regrettable choices could potentially be avoided.

My daughter, a senior in high school felt the need to share her thoughts about this book:
"After reading this outstanding book, not only did I know more about the college application process, but also more about what I needed to do! Well-written, and informative, this book really tells you all you need to know and more to put you ahead. Easy to relate to and navigate, I genuinely feel that this is one of the most useful books you can purchase, and is definitely worth every penny! It is a must buy!"

This small book is packed with good information about college selection. Written with wit and wisdom the author - an experienced college counselor - offers short, insightful advice on many topics from test prep to college visits. The reader will enjoy his relaxed, humorous approach to this often stressful process.

In a refreshing departure from the "Secrets of...", "Beat the System...", "Playing the Game" hysteria and hype surrounding the college search and admission process, this engaging, readable book brings the reader back to the student-centered task of finding a match between student and college. Each chapter, limited to a length (600 words or less) that does not exceed the attention span of many high schoolers, offers sound, practical advice in a witty, conversational tone. There are no promises of shortcuts, no guarantees of gaining a competitive edge - just down-to-earth advice and encouragement. Though originally written for students at one school, students (and parents) everywhere will find valuable information to guide them through their college search.

Whether you are just beginning the college investigation process or well into it, this is an excellent guide to own. The author understands and communicates all the nuts and bolts of the college search and selection process and, just as importantly, provides thoughtful counsel (after all, he is a college counselor) for students and parents caught in the current high anxiety environment. With this book and a good college guide (e.g. Fiske's), students and their parents will be well on their way to making informed and intelligent college planning decisions.

When our oldest son was a high school junior, I met Patrick O'Connor at a college fair sponsored by the local public school. We chatted with him a bit, and he seemed to understand the college app process in very real and simple terms. He piqued my interest enough to buy his book, and it proved to be a great resource over the next four years.

Patrick walks the reader through the college application process in a very orderly, concise, and informative way. In that respect, I found his book to be very good for helping to understand the process. Most parents I know seem overwhelmed and fearful of the process, but Patrick made it very manageable.

But the real treasure in Patrick's book is that he gives both parents and students such reasonable advice on college, high school and life! Patrick has the big picture focus and so he helps you keep perspective. He allays the fears over whether debate club is better than robotics competitions or whether it's okay to change activities in eleventh grade if the student is really hating debate. He helps you understand admissions counselors as real people making reasonalbe decisions and not as nameless, faceless gods who will decide your student's future. He draws you into the reasonableness of the process and of life in general.

I found myself referring to this book many times as my children progressed through their high school careers. Having the book was like having the wisdom and advice of another parent who knew all about what you were going through and could help you sort it out to make the best decisison. Patrick truly seems to have your child's best interest at heart.

Since we home schooled our children from kindergarten up, it was nice to find a guidance counselor to talk to about college, in a figurative way, of course. Patrick was that voice of information and assurance that I needed. In addition to this book, he also has a website which I found equally valuable for the wisdom and perspective he brought throughout the school year and even in the summer. On a number of occasions, I emailed him for advice and he promptly responded. Having access to Patrick was invaluable to my family.

I consider Patrick (and his book, his website and his emails) to be a contributing component of the success my children enjoyed in the college application process. My children were accepted by some highly selective schools and had great options to consider. I highly recommend this book and all of Patrick's advice!