Don't Stalk the Admissions Officer: How to Survive the College Admissions Process without Losing Your Mind [Paperback]

Risa Lewak (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 13, 2010

The college admissions process is:
   A) Similar to gallbladder surgery without anesthesia
   B) Worse than watching American Idol auditions without earplugs
   C) Soul-destroying, ego-crushing, and life-sucking
   D) Actually kind of funny when you think about it
   E) All of the above
 
There’s no denying it: Applying to college is a grueling journey just shy of cruel and unusual punishment. But that doesn’t mean you can’t laugh along the way. If college is on your horizon, Don’t Stalk the Admissions Officer shows you how to ace the tricky application process—while maintaining your sense of humor and sanity. Former pre-admissions counselor Risa Lewak empowers you to craft a killer essay, choose between the SAT and ACT, score stellar recommendations, nail the interview, handle overly involved parents, and more. You’ll also learn how to navigate crucial post-application issues, like financial aid, rejection, and deciding whether to take a year off. Packed with insider tips, helpful suggestions, and laugh-out-loud anecdotes, this savvy handbook gives you the know-how and confidence to conquer this stressful rite of passage . . . and minimize nervous breakdowns.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“[it] will make other college prep books jealous of their smarter, cooler sister.”
—USA Today College: The Blog, 9/17/10

“a playful new book about the college search...that yielded some good, fresh advice.”
—Jay Mathews, Washingtonpost.com’s “Admissions 101” blog

“An insightful, entertaining, and fun read. The anecdotes and quizzes help make the college admissions process a little less stressful.”
—Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of FinAid.org and FastWeb.com

“In this refreshing guide, Risa Lewak offers some great advice wrapped up in the humor of it all; the perfect antidote to the insanity.”
—Marilee Jones, former dean of admissions at MIT

“This well-paced read provides sane, reasonable ways for applicants to communicate effectively, remain authentic, and work with their advocates.”
—Bruce Poch, dean of admissions at Pomona College

About the Author

A former pre-admissions counselor and recruiter at Hunter College, RISA LEWAK, MSEd, leads workshops to help prospective college students and their parents minimize the stress of the application process. She is an alumni interviewer for the University of Pennsylvania, a frequent speaker at high schools and college fairs, and a regular contributor to popular college prep websites, including collegebound.net and collegetoolkit.com.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press (July 13, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158008060X
• ISBN-13: 978-1580080606
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.4 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #607,160 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I laughed While I learned, September 6, 2010

By 

S. Flinker (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Don't Stalk the Admissions Officer: How to Survive the College Admissions Process without Losing Your Mind (Paperback)

Don't Stalk the Admissions Officer is a rare "get into college" help book. It gives real life, practical tips that will help both high schoolers and their parents get through the process. But what makes it so awesome is that every page offers laughs at how preposterous the whole affair has become. From lampooning overachievers to slackers, dull-witted high school guidance counselors and helicopter parents, no one gets out unscathed. You might see yourself, too.
But Lewak offers some sage advice that could be life changing for a lot of people. She highlights the benefits of community college. And doing after school activities that really mean something to you, and done not just for impressing a college admissions officer. These might sound like simple ideas, but if many students followed this advice, they and their parents would be a lot happier. And richer! Finally, a college guide that recognizes that kids should enjoy high school and not spend those four years thinking only of the future. A must-read for kids and parents about to take the college admissions plunge...

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative, September 5, 2010

By 

elfuentes92 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Stalk the Admissions Officer: How to Survive the College Admissions Process without Losing Your Mind (Paperback)

"The College Admissions process can be overwhelming. Here's some help:
p.31-What to do when you have no idea where to apply
p.80-After the College Tour and Info Session
p.113-Write a strong essay that reflects you
p.136-What Admission Officers Hate
p.140- What Admission Officers Love
p.162-How to Choose the Right School"

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a College Guide with Humor!, August 18, 2010

By 

Johnny Lee - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Stalk the Admissions Officer: How to Survive the College Admissions Process without Losing Your Mind (Paperback)

I stumbled upon this book in Borders and couldn't put it down. It was absolutely hilarious, and I only wish it had been available when I was applying to college a decade ago. Not only does it provide extremely relevant tips for high school students of all ages, it also provides some levity to an area that is in dire need of it. I work with adolescents and will be recommending that they check it out.