Customer Reviews

The Kids' College Almanac: A First Look at College

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Colleges of every type -- from barber colleges to major research universities -- lie at the center of our society's life. They are places of great fun, seriousness, and success. This superb book makes plain to middle schoolers that in a few short years they too will be able to be on campus. "The First Look at College" performs the neat trick of taking the mystery out of going to college while making the prospect even more exciting. Yet, the almanac is not another example of denying our youngsters their childhood, like entrance exams for kindergarten. Instead, by writing directly to the kids and not writing down to them, Greenfeld shows that 14-year-olds in almost every circumstance and from every background ought to be planning for some learning after high school graduation. Organized in page-size chunks, the book steps readers through thinking about careers and showing the panoply of colleges available and then unpacking the application process. Financial aid, sports, fraternities and sororities, study tips, and a neat list of college urls all get their due. A busy junior high counselor who has a shelf of these books can perform some valuable intervention simply by pressing the "Kids' College Almanac" into student hands.

This terrific book is a great resource for parents, too! Even though my husband and I both went to college, so much has changed. This book provides a wonderful overview in a very engaging format. It greatly simplifies what is otherwise daunting. The authors were very clever in their choice of format - it really is designed just the way most kids will intially use it; all the interesting facts do capture their interest and their parents, too. It's one of those books that anyone who's been through the college application process - whether parent or student - has to pick up and say, "I wished I had that back then!"

The Kids' College Almanac is an outstanding and essential resource for any child thinking about college and his/her parents. As the mother of children in both middle and high school, I found that this book covered every imaginable topic related to college decision-making that my children and I need to know. From discussing how to select what colleges to apply to and what is involved in the application process to explaining how to pay for college costs and what to expect once classes begin, this book provides important information to the college-bound student in a clear and easily-read format. My children and I have also enjoyed reading the interesting charts and tables and notable facts scattered throughout the book. I especially like the fact that the book can be opened at any page and enjoyed. I also appreciate the very positive and motivating tone that the authors use throughout the book, which makes any reader feel that if they want to go to college, they can!

Even though I won't be attending college until the year 2003 this book tells me a lot of things I need to know or should know before going to college. there were Some things about college that i didn't know until reading this book!

Lots of good info for the intended teen reader. It's a question answer book.

As a student are you dealing with the issue of what college to attend? As a parent are you trying to help your child make that decision. If you are facing this dilemma, I strongly recommend reading the Kid's College Almanac: A First Look at College by Barbara C. Greenfeld and Robert A. Weinstein. The chapters answer these questions: What is college? Why should I think about college? Who goes to college? What can I learn at college? How will I learn at college? How do I gather information? Where should I apply? How do I apply to college? How much does college cost? How will I pay for college? How does college begin? What happens at college? Is college my only choice? What should I do now? If these are the questions you are facing, this is a must read for both students and parents.

The Kids' College Almanac is an excellent tool for both children and the parents of children thinking about college. The book's text, an enjoyable read for both young and old, is direct, accurate and easy to read. As an Admissions Counselor at a college, I have used the book both professionally and personally and find it an invaluable part of my library. I strongly recommend The Kids' College Almanac to any prospective student who is taking their "First Look At College" and wants answers to the many questions that surround such an important life decision.

The Kids' College Almanac is a wonderful addition to the reference library of any family with children, especially children in the upper elementary, middle and early high school grades. It's a simply wonderful gift for the younger sibling of an older child who is going off to college. What a great way to make them part of the process. Its warm, friendly voice and interesting facts make important, but complex information approachable and fun. Kids in the households that have this book will be far better prepared for choosing and applying to college when the time comes and they'll have more fun doing it!