I want to share some resources that our family found helpful in the process of choosing where and how to apply for college. (Our public library carries these books—you certainly don’t have to buy them unless you want to.)
Where to start? We started with COLLEGES THAT CHANGE LIVES.
This is a book by Loren Pope, and a website. (This is particularly helpful for people interested in liberal arts colleges.) From the website: “CTCL was founded on a philosophy of building the knowledge, character and values of young people by introducing them to a personalized and transformative collegiate experience. Although the member colleges approach this challenge with varying perspectives, institutional missions, and pedagogical strategies, a student-centered mission is common to all campuses.” And: “The Colleges That Change Lives, Inc. (CTCL) story begins in 1996 when a book by the same name — Colleges That Change Lives — was published by retired New York Times education editor and journalist Loren Pope. A longtime student advocate and independent college counselor, Mr. Pope sought to change the way people thought about colleges by dispelling popularly held myths and challenging the conventional wisdom about college choice. His groundbreaking ideals were welcomed by students and the college counseling community alike. As a result, many of the colleges featured in the book began working together to further promote this philosophy of a student-centered college search. In 1998 the CTCL organization was formally organized, independent of Mr. Pope (although with his blessing) and his publisher.”
Where else to go? THE FISKE GUIDE, by Edward B. Fiske. This is a regularly-updated, near-encyclopedia of colleges (large and small and in between). Extra helpful is information for each college that was gleaned from actual students. (Much more helpful than simply perusing a college’s website.)
Then when you are ready for more, check out the illuminating THE PRICE YOU PAY FOR COLLEGE, by Ron Lieber. Here you will learn various practical considerations and other ineffables (beyond ‘price’). Such as, don’t assume public colleges will be more affordable than private colleges! This book demystified the sometimes unnerving and weird intricacies of the college business, as well as how to appeal a college funding package (need-based or merit-based—and yes, people do that, and are sometimes successful, which I did not know).
Along the way, the college-bound person will need to write a college application essay. Maybe your college-bound person has ample confidence about how to do this (‘this’, meaning to write an 650 word essay that aims to convince a stranger to not only let them in to college, but offer huge funding…but no pressure!). If your person would benefit from some help, please check out The CAPE Crusade: Your Guide to a Great College Application Personal Essay by Billy Lombardi. This book is great for anyone who wants to write a personal essay (not only for college applications). I have written many personal essays, and I, too, found this book helpful! It’s like a workshop in a book, and offers the reader/writer great ways to get to known themselves better, what they care about, and who they are. In addition to offering step-by-step, life-affirming advice, it alleviates pressure on the reader/writer. I could go on and on! But I must at least say that using even parts of this book—to write an essay without the use of AI—will help a college-bound human feel more confident in their ability to navigate personal storytelling, and the writing process in general. Which will help them be more prepared for college. This book is seriously great!
(Please please please don’t let them resort to using AI!)
(p.s. If you know a college-bound person who might want support in the writing process, please do contact me for more information. And please check out Dear Inner Critic: a self-doubt activity book, which will be handy for college applicants and others!)
(p.p.s. And parents/families: Please remember to attend to your own inner game.)
Rebecca Kuder 