Countdown To College

After all the testing and touring and applying, your child has been accepted to college. Congratulations! Now what? Every new student grapples with making a successful transition to college—with remaining healthy, happy, grounded, and in school. Indeed, the national statistics are sobering: One in three freshmen will not come back for sophomore year, and less than 50 percent will graduate on time. A student’s adjustment is key, especially during the period starting with the lazy summer months before move-in and ending at the dizzying close of a student’s first semester. Distilling lessons and sharing stories (some cautionary, some entertaining, all helpful) from her long college advisory career, three-time Ivy League dean Monique Rinere presents a unique month-by-month road map to a college experience that is rich, rewarding, and successful for teens and parents alike. Taking parents from the moment the acceptances arrive to the end of the first college semester, her expert advice covers: • assessing the right fit among your child’s options: who and what to ask to get the real scoop on campus and academic life • understanding actual costs: considering hidden expenses, financial-aid and scholarship fine print, loans, and work-study opportunities • parenting through the senior slump so that students don’t jeopardize their hard-won college spot • talking to your child about freshman culture shock and their new freedoms around parties, food, finances, and sleep • what your child needs to know about working with an academic advisor, interacting with professors, and creating their own community of advisors • how to help your rising freshman create a conceptual bridge from what they are, a graduating high school senior, to what they want to be, a college alum • time-management and class-scheduling tips to help your child pick an appropriate class (and extracurricular) load • advice for parents facing the emptying nest: letting go of your anxieties about your child’s autonomy and seizing this opportunity to reinvent your life in new and intentional ways “A valuable and comprehensive guide for parents of college-bound students . . . The months between high school and college are a critical time, but Dr. Monique Rinere gives you confidence that everything will be all right.”—Marvin Krislov, president, Pace University

Unique, simple approach to the complicated college prep process, from the leading authority in college admissions. Getting ready for college is a complicated and confusing process — how do you know when to take the SAT? When do you start applying to schools? What classes should you be taking to help prepare you for college-level work? Is there anything you should do before high school? Fiske Countdown to College is a comprehensive collection of simple, easy-to-use checklists that spell out your road map for each year of high school and make preparation for college a breeze. There are 28 "to-do" lists for parents and students, ten "don't" lists, three "top 10" lists, and two glossaries, divided by year, that walk you through high school to college. Quotes from students, parents, and counselors offer advice and support from people who've been through all of this before.

Common sense is not necessarily common knowledge. Even the best parents can be caught off guard by the trials and conflicts that occur when they send their kinds off to college. This book addresses potential problems and offers solutions. Developing good study habits, alcohol indulgence, life in the dorms, preparing for medical emergencies, and setting up a budget are just some of the topics discussed. Countdown to College tells parents what to expect and offers ways for them to help their child achieve success in a new environment.

These invaluable To-Do lists show 9th, 10th, 11th, & 12th graders WHAT to do and WHEN to do it to ensure their admission to the college of their choice. There will be no missed deadlines or missed opportunities with these step-by-step strategies for success.

A complete guide to everything a high school student needs to do to get into college.

After all the testing and touring and applying, your child has been accepted to college. Congratulations! Now what? Every new student grapples with making a successful transition to college—with remaining healthy, happy, grounded, and in school. Indeed, the national statistics are sobering: One in three freshmen will not come back for sophomore year, and less than 50 percent will graduate on time. A student’s adjustment is key, especially during the period starting with the lazy summer months before move-in and ending at the dizzying close of a student’s first semester. Distilling lessons and sharing stories (some cautionary, some entertaining, all helpful) from her long college advisory career, three-time Ivy League dean Monique Rinere presents a unique month-by-month road map to a college experience that is rich, rewarding, and successful for teens and parents alike. Taking parents from the moment the acceptances arrive to the end of the first college semester, her expert advice covers: • assessing the right fit among your child’s options: who and what to ask to get the real scoop on campus and academic life • understanding actual costs: considering hidden expenses, financial-aid and scholarship fine print, loans, and work-study opportunities • parenting through the senior slump so that students don’t jeopardize their hard-won college spot • talking to your child about freshman culture shock and their new freedoms around parties, food, finances, and sleep • what your child needs to know about working with an academic advisor, interacting with professors, and creating their own community of advisors • how to help your rising freshman create a conceptual bridge from what they are, a graduating high school senior, to what they want to be, a college alum • time-management and class-scheduling tips to help your child pick an appropriate class (and extracurricular) load • advice for parents facing the emptying nest: letting go of your anxieties about your child’s autonomy and seizing this opportunity to reinvent your life in new and intentional ways “A valuable and comprehensive guide for parents of college-bound students . . . The months between high school and college are a critical time, but Dr. Monique Rinere gives you confidence that everything will be all right.”—Marvin Krislov, president, Pace University

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.

Top College Essays That Show You What Works Introducing the ultimate guide to crafting college essays that truly make an impact! Fiske Real College Essays That Work by former New York Times education editor Edward B. Fiske is packed with invaluable insights and expert advice and empowers you to create standout application essays that capture the attention of college admissions officers. Key Features: Real-life Examples: Explore a curated collection of authentic essays, giving you a clear understanding of what works and why. Expert Guidance: Benefit from Edward B. Fiske's years of experience in the field of education and college admissions, gaining invaluable tips and strategies. Essay Breakdowns: Gain insight into the successful elements of each essay with detailed analyses and explanations. Whether you're a high school student navigating the college application process or an educator seeking to guide students toward writing excellence, Fiske Real College Essays That Work is an indispensable tool. Don't miss out on this opportunity to craft memorable essays that set you apart and open the doors to your dream college.