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The article offers advice on how prospective college students can best sell themselves through their college admission essays. College admission officers look for students who challenge themselves academically and have the grades to back up their level of engagement. College admission essays are a great opportunity for students to display their personality and express themselves. INSETS: ACING THE ESSAY;KILLER EXTRACURRICS.

The article reports on the higher rates at which men are being admitted to college than women. The reason is that more women are applying to college than men, and colleges are rejecting more of them to try to maintain the gender balance of their student bodies. Women's average academic performance versus men's are discussed, along with arguments from college admissions officials in favor of efforts to keep the populations of the sexes equal.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including "Is There Any Room for Me?", "Summertime & the Living Is Cranky," and "Keystone State Scuffle" in the August 28, 2006 issue.

Focuses on how students who get average grades in high school can find success in getting into college. Assertion that less prestigious colleges and universities are more likely to accept students, and offer similar opportunities; Importance of grade-point averages and SAT scores; Various factors that are considered when determining acceptance into college; Assertion that the majority of schools accept more than half of the people who apply; Need for students to find the college that fits their talents and goals; Advice on the application process and when to apply.

Offers observations about the college admissions process. Consideration of how high school students take SAT preparatory courses, hire private tutors to help them write college essays, and enroll in Advanced Placement courses; Pressure on students to get accepted to prestigious colleges; Statistics on the average acceptance rates at colleges nationally; Role of affirmative action in the admissions process; Efforts of colleges to promote socioeconomic diversity; Announcement from Harvard University that it will not require parents making less than $40,000 a year to contribute anything to the cost of their child's education; Reasons why low-income students do not consider applying to more selective schools.

Examines the sometimes hidden costs of a college education. Example of a California family who thought their son was on a scholarship only to find out they owed thousands for items not covered by the aid; How many colleges package their financial aid in jargon which is hard for parents or students to understand; Advice to shop for financial aid; Steps to help with the shopping around process; How not to get trapped by the language of the offerings; How to make borrowing decisions; The five general types of financial aid; Advice from some to not let the financial issues be the cause for picking a college. INSET: THE MANY FACES OF AID.

Discusses the challenges facing students during the college admissions process. Student Elizabeth Stender and the challenges she faced getting into college; Definition of early decision within admissions and how some schools are changing their policy towards it; Comprehensive review, which began at the University of California and why it has shaken up the admissions world; Increase in the number of students placed on an admissions wait list; Importance of writing skills.

Discusses the importance of etiquette for applicants to colleges and universities. Advice from college admissions officers; Situations that can disqualify students; How students can show interest; Recognition of past troubles; Recommendations from alumna and other noteworthy people; Importance of interviews; Admissions office inquiries into what schools students have submitted applications.

Offers information about colleges in the United States, and gives suggestions on what prospective students need to know to get into the colleges that they choose. Indications of the intense competition for acceptance at some colleges; Rankings of the top national universities for several degree programs; Information about the relative importance of grades; Information about early decision admissions; The waiting list of Katherine Cohen, a college consultant based in New York.

Offers a question and answer format to give information about financial aid applications for United States colleges and universities. Topics of applying to an expensive school, division between the admissions and financial aid departments, and negotiating a deal with the college; Advice on getting the most out of the financial aid formulas used by colleges; Limits on student financial aid packages. INSET: Retying the knot? Read this first, by Margaret Loftus.

Explores the admissions process at the University of Pennsylvania. How admission is anything but an exact science; Academic profile of Penn applicants; Nonacademic factors that can improve odds significantly; The admissions panel; What admissions officers are looking for. INSET: Eight steps to admissions success..

Examines how more and more colleges want high school seniors to apply early, and to agree to attend if admitted. New obsessiveness with the early-decision process; Data which suggests that applying early gives students an edge; Examples;; Pros and cons of early decision; Financial issues.

Discusses how colleges are using outside help to target and select students. Consultants such as Maguire Associates Inc. that offer sophisticated advice in issues ranging from how to distribute aid most effectively to how much to raise tuition; How the consultants are transforming the way many institutions conduct business; The issue of financial aid leveraging.

Presents an introduction to a series of articles on America's best colleges. How going to college has become an almost inalienable right for students; Percentage of high school graduates enrolling in some form of post-secondary education; Accessibility of American higher education; How colleges are inheriting troubles of deteriorating primary and secondary schools; High college tuition; Revolutionary potential of technology.

Follows five representative seniors as they pursue their complicated search for the right college. Lauren Hale, a gifted student; Victor Burgos, reaching for the American dream; Neale Hegarty, seeking happiness outside New England; Dionna Harris, overcoming adversity in South Central Los Angeles; Erika Bell, who received an ROTC scholarship.

The article discusses U.S. universities and college that are identified as first-rate schools and accept students that other colleges won't. Topics include the difficulty B-grade students have in getting accepted to highly selective colleges, examples of universities and colleges that accept students who want to achieve success but have less than an A-grade average, such as College of the Atlantic in Maine, and the lesson to be learned from viewing the student as more than just their grades.

The article offers advice for college applicants on how to narrow down the choices of schools they are applying to. The author recommends researching colleges by viewing their websites and meeting with admissions officers, who are often invited to high schools to speak with prospective students. College fairs run by the National Association for College Admission Counseling are also recommended. INSET: Why Colleges Like Boys More Than Girls.

The article presents strategies for college-bound students to maximize financial aid. Good high school grades can help win scholarship money. Applying to several different schools helps, as does applying to schools known to compete for students. Playing different schools' offers against each other can succeed in obtaining more aid.

The article reports that the University of California in Los Angeles, California, has revised its admissions application and acceptance requirements for African-American enrollments. California voters enacted Proposition 209 in 1996 to end affirmative action in public education. This had resulted in a decrease in black student admissions. INSET: It Doesn't End With Getting In.

The article reports on standing out from the crowd in applying to colleges and universities. Prove you have made a contribution to teachers loaded down with applications, suggests Eliot Applestein, an independent college counselor. Various approaches to the application essay, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and interview process are discussed.

The article reports on gender imbalances in colleges and universities and the implications of what more college-going women will mean in the future. Many colleges are opting for gender parity to keep a coeducational experience. Admissions officers are recruiting more qualified male students since females outnumber them in many educational institutions.

This article discusses the college application process and difficulties encountered by graduating high school students in gaining acceptance to the college of their choosing. Many universities and colleges have begun accepting a smaller ratio of applicants, especially private colleges and universities. However, public universities and community colleges have grown in accordance with the demand for college education.

The author examines the cost of college attendance and various ways that families can pay for college. Prices at most colleges are expected to rise 5% in 2007, which is 1% higher than inflation. With one of the biggest high school graduating classes ever, colleges and universities are raising their prices to match the increased demand. The article discusses the total cost of education, which includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, and other expenses.

Looks at the process by which students are admitted to college and how it varies considerably on different campuses in the United States. Example of the process at the ivy-league Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island; The fierce competition for spots and the practice of every application going before the committee; Admission at the University of California--San Diego; Many applications; Decisions made by a computer; The process at Wesleyan University, a small, liberal arts school where many factors are considered.

Advice on college applications. What admissions officers are looking for. Worth of professional help with college applications. Importance of high school grades. Personal interview. INSET: A college admissions timetable..

Reports that as college administrators are desperately looking for answers to enrollment woes, more and more are putting the blame on the people who run their admissions offices. Examples of admissions officers who were abruptly fired; Hard-nosed corporate mentality that has taken hold on many campuses; Pressures facing admission deans; Involvement of college board of trustees in admissions; New breed of admissions deans. INSET: This year's rankings.

Examines the sophisticated sales techniques that many of America's 273 accredited graduate schools of business are employing. Sharp delcline in current registration for the Graduate Management Admission Test; The drop in demand tomorrow that has administrators frightened; Shrinking pool of potential applicants from the `baby bust' generation; How corporations have grown choosier with fewer managerial berths to fill; Career switchers; More.

The article presents advice to high school students on what they can do to help ensure they are able to attend the college of their choice. During freshman year students should make every effort to achieve good grades and develop sound writing skills. In sophomore year take note of and complete any prerequisites that may be required for classes to be taken in the future. Also, consider taking the PSAT exam. During junior year continue focusing on achieving good grades while preparing for the SAT and ACT exams. In senior year you can re-take either of these, if necessary. Also, be mindful of various deadlines related to applying for college admission.

The article discusses the changing class of students in U.S. universities and colleges and how the increasing number of women attending coeducational schools has resulted in an effort by women's colleges to broaden their appeal and support. Topics include examples of successful women's colleges, such as Trinity Washington University, the quality of education at women's colleges, and the demographic they serve. Also discussed are the support system in women's colleges for single mothers.

The article discusses the challenges for U.S. African-American universities & colleges, which have a tradition of thriving in tough times, and why these schools are an attractive and more affordable alternative for students of all races. Topics include an overview of the success of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), how they have been impacted by the 2009 U.S. recession, and a list of the best HBCUs in the U.S.

The article discusses how U.S. universities and colleges can learn from Great Britain's higher education system including Great Britain's system of unified admissions, affordable loans, and taking a gap year, which is a one-year break before beginning college. Topics include an in-depth analysis of Great Britain's Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) which simplifies the undergraduate admissions process and provides schools with statistical trends of popular education majors.

This article discusses efforts being taken by U.S. business schools to increase the number of women and minorities applying for enrollment. It is noted that women represent approximately thirty percent of business students at the thirty best business schools in 2009, while minorities represent approximately ten percent. INSET: Smart Choices..

This article discusses the challenges that mental health issues pose to college applicants. The stigma attached to mental health problems is described in terms of worries on the part of admissions officers following university campus shootings in 2007 and 2008. Worries on the part of college admissions offices about the integrity of high school disciplinary offices and college applicants are noted.

The article discusses the many college options available to high school students with less-than-perfect grade point averages. Counselors say there are a great many excellent colleges and universities beyond the top tier of very selective and well-known schools. Tips are given for identifying personal strengths beyond grades and finding a school seeking those qualities.

The article discusses college and university early admissions policies, which a few have dropped as unfair, but continues widely as a practice advantageous to both schools and early admit students. Advice is given for college-bound high school students on whether to start the college application process early or not. INSET: THE SIX FLAVORS OF EARLY ADMIT.

The article reports on the mismatch between many college applicants and the colleges and universities they apply to. Studies show the majority of applicants seek out the minority of very selective schools, so large numbers are rejected. College counselors say students should spend more time finding the school that fits them best.

The article reports on the challenges faced by teachers, parents, and policymakers across the U.S. at the start of the 2006 school year. For example, The College Board announced the sharpest drop in SAT scores in decades. According to the article, high selectivity rates at colleges throughout the country make high school students anxious and driven to overachievement. The article also points to the No Child Left Behind Act as the reason elementary school students are overloaded with homework.

The article discusses the pros and cons of early-admissions programs. United States colleges accept students on the basis of the applicant pool and other variables. So, early application may not help. Various admissions policies are discussed including rolling admissions, regular admissions, early action and how financial aid is conferred. INSET: Early Applications, Deciphered.

The article discusses how students can use financial aid scholarships and grants to help fund their total cost of education. While applying later during the admission decision process, after admission offices have sent out financial aid award letters, is not suggested, the author argues that it is never too late to apply for scholarships. Suggestions for a successful scholarship search are given, such as: applying for smaller, local scholarships, which have fewer applicants; and using the financial aid office as a resource to obtain more aid. INSET: Taking Taxes Into Account.

Focuses on the complicated application process in U.S. colleges and universities. The high numbers of students striving to get into college; Background on the Common Application, which was introduced in 1975; Suggestion that the process has become too complex; How schools that signed on to the Common Application added questions of their own; Frustrations of students and parents; Views of school counselors; Why the system is unlikely to change.

Presents letters to the editor of "U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT." Reactions to an article on getting into college; Reassessment of depression in teenagers; Quandary regarding the political campaigns of President George W. Bush and John Kerry.

Presents advice for students who are taking the new SAT I which involves a new writing section and multiple-choice grammar questions. How the new tests rids of the analogy questions in order to put an emphasis on comprehension items rather than vocabulary; Consideration of how the new math section features more advanced concepts which focus on Algebra II; Suggestion that students should prepare for the writing section by taking timed tests to learn the pace; Usefulness of the book 'The Official SAT Study Guide: For the New SAT,' to be released by the College Board.

Presents a list of the best national universities in the U.S. according to data gathered by the U.S. News & World Report. Consideration of factors such as peer assessment, graduation and retention rank, faculty resources, SAT scores, selectivity, and financial resources; Rank of schools such as Harvard University, Princeton University, and Yale University; The top 50 public universities; The top universities-master's; The Top Comprehensive Colleges-Bachelor's.

Offers advice for how teenagers can cope with failing to gain entrance to the university or college of their choice. How denial from college is for some students the first time in their lives that they are forced to encounter failure; Consideration of how a college admissions rejection can be emotionally devastating for certain students while for others it is viewed as a minor setback; Need for students to focus on realistic college choices so that they are not surprised and crushed when they receive rejection letters; Depression and disappointment associated with rejection.

Presents advice from college counselors on the admissions process for various types of students. How students without stellar talents or alumni connections should view Ivy League schools as a long-shot and focus their efforts on other schools; Advantages afforded to students who are members of an underrepresented minority; Advice for students who are from small-town public schools, elite suburban public schools, and private schools; Importance of strong teacher recommendations, academic strengths, and college essays.

Discusses college admissions and early-decision programs for high school students. The pros and cons of the early-decision process; Findings of the research, "Early Admissions Game," by Christopher Avery, Andrew Fairbanks, and Richard Zeckhauser; How some colleges have changed their early-decision programs; Outlook for the "single-choice early action" approach at Harvard, Stanford, and Yale; Views of Richard Vos, Richard Levin and other college administrators; Investigation of admission policies in the United States by a special panel of the National Association for College Admission Counseling.

Discusses early-decision applications for admission to colleges and universities. Criticism and arguments in favor of early decision; Decision by the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill to drop early decision; Increases in the fraction of freshman classes that are early-decision applicants at colleges and universities; Amount of students who apply early decision; Possibility that early-decision applicants have increased chances for admission; Impact of early decision on financial aid; Incentive for legacy applicants to apply early.

Discusses the growing number of applications that elite colleges and universities in the United States are receiving and the plummeting acceptance rates. What is behind the boom; How the quality of the applicant pool has improved; The growing number of top students that are applying to and attending the next tier of very or somewhat selective private colleges and state universities.

Focuses on college education for academically talented young teenagers. United States colleges that have programs for gifted adolescents, including Mary Baldwin College and California State University at Los Angeles; Qualifications; Similarities in the backgrounds of early-entrance students; Socialization; Program features.

Describes the declining minority population in some United States colleges and universities. Ban of affirmative action in college admissions in Washington State; Ways in which schools have tried to achieve diversity in admissions; Efforts at the University of Washington; Difficulty in recruiting minorities without giving them preferences; Plan endorsed in California by Governor Gray Davis; Possible negative effects of new policies for recruitment. INSET: How a New York group nurtures talent, by David L. Marcus.