College admissions cracked: saving your kid (and yourself) from the madness

Readers with children will find a good deal of useful information, along with a potentially irritating type-A parenting philosophy, in this primer to preparing teenagers for higher education from Shulman, the founder of a college essay coaching company. Readers will encounter discussions of SAT versus ACT tests, what a good score in either actually means, and how to reduce test anxiety. Ready to visit colleges? Shulman provides a helpful comparison of campuses, big and small, urban and rural, along with "dos and don'ts" for visits. Each chapter features mostly helpful "to-do" lists and other useful lists, such as the "Thank-you Note Checklist for Students" and "Strategies for Motivating Your Kid to Just Write the Thing" (i.e., personal essays). Some of the advice seems geared more to a second grader than a soon-to-be-college freshman ("When she's not working, let her play"). On the other hand, "What to Expect on Drop-Off Day" will be good prep for parents used to thinking of that day as a long way off. Depending on where readers fall on the helicopter parenting issue, this book will seem either an invaluable guide to prepping teens for college, or a surefire way of making them eagerly anticipate leaving the nest. (Aug.)

This book comes at a time when college admissions are experiencing even more controversy than usual. Federal prosecutors recently charged 50 people, including actors Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, of conspiring to have their unqualified children admitted to elite schools. Needless to say, getting into college is high stakes. Addressing primarily readers in middle and higher income brackets, Shulman, the founder of a college essay coaching service, tries to reduce anxiety and dispel confusion in this conversational, matter-of-fact work. The author walks readers through her journey as a field professional and the mother of a high school student. Unfortunately, this title contains several errors. For instance, the chapter on college costs suggests that parents use the Net Price Calculator available on college websites. However, findings from a recent report (University of Pennsylvania's "Questioning the Calculations") reveal several inaccuracies and problems with the tool. Still, the author offers solid advice overall. VERDICT While there are many books on this topic, parents and students will find Shulman's monthly schedules and to-do lists very helpful.--Jacqueline Snider, Toronto

This book comes at a time when college admissions are experiencing even more controversy than usual. Federal prosecutors recently charged 50 people, including actors Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, of conspiring to have their unqualified children admitted to elite schools. Needless to say, getting into college is high stakes. Addressing primarily readers in middle and higher income brackets, Shulman, the founder of a college essay coaching service, tries to reduce anxiety and dispel confusion in this conversational, matter-of-fact work. The author walks readers through her journey as a field professional and the mother of a high school student. Unfortunately, this title contains several errors. For instance, the chapter on college costs suggests that parents use the Net Price Calculator available on college websites. However, findings from a recent report (University of Pennsylvania's "Questioning the Calculations") reveal several inaccuracies and problems with the tool. Still, the author offers solid advice overall. VERDICT While there are many books on this topic, parents and students will find Shulman's monthly schedules and to-do lists very helpful.—Jacqueline Snider, Toronto

Readers with children will find a good deal of useful information, along with a potentially irritating type-A parenting philosophy, in this primer to preparing teenagers for higher education from Shulman, the founder of a college essay coaching company. Readers will encounter discussions of SAT versus ACT tests, what a good score in either actually means, and how to reduce test anxiety. Ready to visit colleges? Shulman provides a helpful comparison of campuses, big and small, urban and rural, along with "dos and don'ts" for visits. Each chapter features mostly helpful "to-do" lists and other useful lists, such as the "Thank-you Note Checklist for Students" and "Strategies for Motivating Your Kid to Just Write the Thing" (i.e., personal essays). Some of the advice seems geared more to a second grader than a soon-to-be-college freshman ("When she's not working, let her play"). On the other hand, "What to Expect on Drop-Off Day" will be good prep for parents used to thinking of that day as a long way off. Depending on where readers fall on the helicopter parenting issue, this book will seem either an invaluable guide to prepping teens for college, or a surefire way of making them eagerly anticipate leaving the nest. (Aug.)