From the Book - Regular Print
1 A College Education: The Path to Prosperity and Opportunity 1 --
Going to College vs. Getting a Job 4 --
Importance of College vs. Graduate School 5 --
2 Selective Colleges: A Most Affordable Option for Low-Income Students 9 --
Understanding What Makes Top Colleges Affordable 10 --
Why Harvard Might Be a Student's Cheapest Option 12 --
3 Meaning of High Achievement: What Admission Officers Are Looking For 15 --
"Holistic" Application Review 15 --
4 Meeting the Academic Admission Requirements at No Cost 27 --
Choosing the Best Possible High School 28 --
Pursuing a Rigorous Curriculum 30 --
Preparing for Standardized Testing 34 --
5 How to Succeed in Extracurriculars without Spending Money 39 --
Explore Opportunities at School 43 --
Explore Opportunities Outside of School 44 --
Scaling Your Initiative 45 --
6 Finding Accessible College Counselors: The Expert and the Role Model 49 --
Finding a College Counseling Expert 50 --
Finding a Role Model 55 --
My Essential College Counselors 55 --
7 How to Choose Target Colleges in Three Steps 59 --
Right Number of Target Colleges 60 --
Likelihood of Admission 61 --
Critical Characteristics 63 --
Strategies to Explore Colleges 72 --
8 Applying for College Admission: What It Takes and How to Do It for Free 77 --
Application Requirements 78 --
Application Timeline 95 --
9 Securing Financial Aid to Pay for College 99 --
Financial Aid from Universities 100 --
Scholarships from External Organizations 103 --
10 Accepting an Offer: The Last Step in the College Application Process 109.