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What High Schools Don't Tell You (And Other Parents Don't Want You toKnow): Create a Long-Term Plan for Your 7th to 10th Grader for Getting into the Top Colleges
From the author of What Colleges Don’t Tell You , a plan to help parents of middle and early high school students prepare their kids for the best colleges
In order to succeed in the fiercely competitive college admissions game, you need a game plan—and you have to start young. In this empowering guide, Elizabeth Wissner- Gross, a nationally sought-after college “packager,” helps parents of seventh to tenth graders create a long-term plan that, come senior year, will allow their kids to virtually write their own ticket into their choice of schools.
Parents should start by helping their kids identify their academic passions, then design a four-year strategy based on those interests. The book details hundreds of opportunities available to make kids stand out that most high school guidance counselors and teachers simply don’t know about or don’t think to share. This indispensable guide should be required reading for any parent whose child dreams of attending one of the country’s top colleges.
In order to succeed in the fiercely competitive college admissions game, you need a game plan—and you have to start young. In this empowering guide, Elizabeth Wissner- Gross, a nationally sought-after college “packager,” helps parents of seventh to tenth graders create a long-term plan that, come senior year, will allow their kids to virtually write their own ticket into their choice of schools.
Parents should start by helping their kids identify their academic passions, then design a four-year strategy based on those interests. The book details hundreds of opportunities available to make kids stand out that most high school guidance counselors and teachers simply don’t know about or don’t think to share. This indispensable guide should be required reading for any parent whose child dreams of attending one of the country’s top colleges.
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 24, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 3, 2018
I found this book very valuable. I checked it out from the local library and had to extend it many times and then reborrow it another time for another 6 weeks. At the end I decided to buy my own copy as I use it as a reference book now. Although I agree with some reviewers that at times the advice in this book is a little overboard and dated, I still find this extremely helpful in order to get my gifted kids in the right set of mind and help them follow their chosen paths. After reading this book, I realized how I can be proactive now to help my children fulfill their dreams in the future.
January 31, 2021
Gave good options for a variety of tracks. My eyes were opened.
December 17, 2013
This book starts ok, by encouraging you to look beyond the current moment and help a student plan how to get to do what they really want in life and to be sure that you are qualified for opportunities before they become available. Unfortunately, she loses her way and gets caught up in the elite college entry frenzy that she is supposedly helping you avoid.
For example, she advises that a student interested in advocacy should check the top colleges to see what issues they are active in BEFORE he invests himself, and for a student with a love of languages not to express an interest in a language the college doesn't offer since they will likely not admit you. This to me seems contrary as you should choose a college based on how you can pursue your interest.
Also there is no recognition that a 14 year old may not be developmentally ready to fly across the country alone for a 4 week college residential summer program. Most of this is parent driven, including convincing the school board to offer the APs your child wants. She does address cost, but only by saying that many programs and awards are free (many are also NOT free).
That said, she does know about a lot of programs, and sometimes the info can be translated to local opportunities. She also had nice ideas about including teachers as team members and thanking them, and seems to believe kids don't have to wait to explore and contribute.
For example, she advises that a student interested in advocacy should check the top colleges to see what issues they are active in BEFORE he invests himself, and for a student with a love of languages not to express an interest in a language the college doesn't offer since they will likely not admit you. This to me seems contrary as you should choose a college based on how you can pursue your interest.
Also there is no recognition that a 14 year old may not be developmentally ready to fly across the country alone for a 4 week college residential summer program. Most of this is parent driven, including convincing the school board to offer the APs your child wants. She does address cost, but only by saying that many programs and awards are free (many are also NOT free).
That said, she does know about a lot of programs, and sometimes the info can be translated to local opportunities. She also had nice ideas about including teachers as team members and thanking them, and seems to believe kids don't have to wait to explore and contribute.
October 18, 2013
I loved the message of this book to help your children explore their interests early, rather than doing things based on a checklist of activities for college. There is also a lot of specific information about different academic areas that helps to generate ideas about how children can explore their interests. I have post-it notes stuck throughout the book and I plan to read it again.
May 10, 2016
Great advisory book for parents and middle/high school students regarding how to plan the academic and extracurricular experiences in order to become competitive for scholarships and selective colleges. Early planning is the key to success.
February 10, 2013
家长对美国教育的理解
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews