College Countdown: The Parent's and Student's Survival Kit for the College Admissions Process (Paperback)

by Jill Von Gruben (Author) "Up until now, you've heard about the importance of working hard about a million times..." (more)
Key Phrases: college countdown, guidance counseling office, paper monster, Activity Hours, College Board, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
College is not the automatic answer to "What happens after high school?" In order for college to be the answer, many steps must be taken: forms have to be filled out and submitted, and long range planning needs to occur. The planning actually needs to start as early as the eighth grade! College Countdown is a survival kit for teens and parents who are struggling to get through this intense and confusing process. It is designed to help families organize all the stuff required by college admissions. This helpful workbook includes: tear-out timelines and checklists; financial aid ideas; internet resources; inside advice on admissions essays and interviews; and much more.

From the Back Cover
College Planning Starts NOw - Because college Won't Wait for You. There are few things more overwhelming than the procedure, paperwork, and price tag of a college education. Forms have to be filled out, tests need to be taken, and long-range planning needs to begin - as early as the eighth grade level! Filled with anecdotes, dates, and timelines, College Countdown, is the parent's and student's personal filing cabinet - organizing all of the "stuff" during this intense time. Based on intensive research and hundreds of interviews, College Countdown makes sure that all of the chaotic college preparation steps are taken in the right order with: Handy timelines for college entrance exams, applying for financial aid, and more; Key test dates with registration deadlines; Sample college admission forms and financial aid applications; Essential information on financial aid and scholarships; Latest information on using the Internet in your college search, including submitting your application online; Checklists, worksheets, tips, and quotes that will save you time, money, and headaches; Advice on the admissions interview and essay writing; Suggestions on choosing your college. let's face if, getting into college doesn't happen overnight - it takes hard work and planning. Make the process less stressful with College Countdown.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 253 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (October 14, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071352902
• ISBN-13: 978-0071352901
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #257,997 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!, April 11, 2002

By	Rebecca Greene (Bloomington, Indiana) - See all my reviews

As a professional interested in helping teens get their maximum potential out of the pre-college experience, I found this book to be most helpful and timely. Whether you're a high school student who is just beginning to think about college or a parent who is confused about all the new procedures and time tables, this book will guide and inspire you throughout the entire process. With expert information, a great, reader-friendly layout, and lots of practical advice, this book is the only resource you'll ever need to navigate the waters of the college admissions process!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars College Countdown, March 10, 2000

By	Susan Hacker (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

I recommend this book for all of my students who are planning to attend college. The book is comprehensive, easy to follow, and unlike other books on college it has handy examples of sample resumes, worksheets for listing college visits and contacts, sample questions for interviews, timelines for scholarships and applications, and a sample of a thank you note for recommendations. The book is easy to follow and is based on Mrs. VonGruben's own personal experiences with her children. The college industry has become a big business and wise students and parents need to explore all options. This book will help them to know when to begin the college planning process, how to go about it, and enable students and parents to make wise decisions regarding college.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read!, February 20, 2000

By A Customer

VonGruben crafts a must read for any graduating high school student or high school parent. From Financial Aid to Admissions, this is an invaluable tool. Hats off to VonGruben!