Students with few resources rarely apply to top colleges. Even when they have the academic and extracurricular merits to be admitted to institutions like Harvard, Yale and Princeton, these students usually opt for less selective universities. Many ignore that top colleges are actively seeking outstanding candidates regardless of their economic background. What's more, a great number of colleges offers generous financial aid to make sure every student can afford to attend. This book is the definitive resource to help high-achieving, low-income students access the best possible college. The author draws from her extensive experience in education to provide advice on important aspects of the path to college such as pursuing a strong high school curriculum, preparing for standardized exams, complementing learning at school, developing leadership, and finding expert help and role models-all through affordable strategies. In the book, the author also guides students through the college application and selection processes, as well as the steps to obtain enough financial aid. From the very first page, the author sheds light on her own journey to college through deeply personal vignettes, demonstrating by example that students with few resources can reach and succeed at the top universities in the United States.
Foreword Acknowledgments Introduction: Trust Me: It's Possible Glossary: Key Terms to Navigate This Book and the College Applications Chapter 1: A College Education: The Path to Prosperity and Opportunity Going to College vs. Getting a Job The Importance of College vs. Graduate School Chapter 2: Selective Colleges: A Most Affordable Option for Low-Income Students The Policies that Make Top Colleges AffordableWhy Harvard Might Be a Student's Cheapest Option Chapter 3: The Meaning of High Achievement: What Admission Officers are Looking ForThe ""Holistic"" Application ReviewAcademic SkillsExtracurricular ParticipationCharacter Chapter 4: Meeting the Academic Admission Requirements at No CostChoosing the Best Possible High SchoolPursuing a Rigorous CurriculumPreparing for Standardized TestingThe Role of Parents Chapter 5: How to Succeed in Extracurriculars Without Spending MoneyFind What You LoveExplore Opportunities at SchoolExplore Opportunities Outside of SchoolScaling Your Initiative Chapter 6: Finding Accessible College Counselors: The Expert and the Role ModelFinding a College Counseling ExpertFinding a Role ModelMy Essential College CounselorsChapter 7: How to Choose Target Colleges in Three StepsThe ""Right"" Number of Target CollegesLikelihood of AdmissionCritical CharacteristicsStrategies to Explore Colleges Chapter 8: Applying for College Admission: What it Takes and How to Do It for FreeApplication RequirementsMain Application FormsUniversity SupplementsStandardized Test ScoresWhat Do the ACT and SAT Test?What Are the SAT Subject Tests?When Should Students Take Standardized Exams?How to Report Standardized Test Scores to CollegesEssaysSupplemental MaterialsRecommendation LettersSchool ReportsResume or Curriculum VitaeApplication FeesApplication TimelineChapter 9: Securing Financial Aid to Pay for CollegeFinancial Aid From UniversitiesScholarships From External Organizations Chapter 10: Accepting an Offer: The Last Step in the College Application Process Appendix: Convinced It's Possible? College Preparation Timelines and ResourcesEpilogue: An Open Letter to the Dreamers Glossary About the Author
Foreword Acknowledgments Introduction: Trust Me: It's Possible Glossary: Key Terms to Navigate This Book and the College Applications Chapter 1: A College Education: The Path to Prosperity and Opportunity Going to College vs. Getting a Job The Importance of College vs. Graduate School Chapter 2: Selective Colleges: A Most Affordable Option for Low-Income Students The Policies that Make Top Colleges Affordable Why Harvard Might Be a Student's Cheapest Option Chapter 3: The Meaning of High Achievement: What Admission Officers are Looking For The "Holistic" Application Review Academic Skills Extracurricular Participation Character Chapter 4: Meeting the Academic Admission Requirements at No Cost Choosing the Best Possible High School Pursuing a Rigorous Curriculum Preparing for Standardized Testing The Role of Parents Chapter 5: How to Succeed in Extracurriculars Without Spending Money Find What You Love Explore Opportunities at School Explore Opportunities Outside of School Scaling Your Initiative Chapter 6: Finding Accessible College Counselors: The Expert and the Role Model Finding a College Counseling Expert Finding a Role Model My Essential College Counselors Chapter 7: How to Choose Target Colleges in Three Steps The "Right" Number of Target Colleges Likelihood of Admission Critical Characteristics Strategies to Explore Colleges Chapter 8: Applying for College Admission: What it Takes and How to Do It for Free Application Requirements Main Application Forms University Supplements Standardized Test Scores What Do the ACT and SAT Test? What Are the SAT Subject Tests? When Should Students Take Standardized Exams? How to Report Standardized Test Scores to Colleges Essays Supplemental Materials Recommendation Letters School Reports Resume or Curriculum Vitae Application Fees Application Timeline Chapter 9: Securing Financial Aid to Pay for College Financial Aid From Universities Scholarships From External Organizations Chapter 10: Accepting an Offer: The Last Step in the College Application Process Appendix: Convinced It's Possible? College Preparation Timelines and Resources Epilogue: An Open Letter to the Dreamers Glossary About the Author
