Kickstart to College

If this book or one like had been available when I was moping around in the eighth grade, I would have been ... well, I would have had a much easier time with college. Marian Borden has written a readable, fact and tip filled, entertaining book aimed at kids in middle school (though she makes in clear that parents are more than welcome). She demystifies and organizes a process that has grown amazingly complicated and difficult, and she makes it fun. In fact, she shows how kids can increase their enjoyment of those years while building a solid record of accomplishment and depth that will make them interesting to college admissions types. The message of KickStart to College goes way beyond admissions, however, and provides strategies and actions that will help kids make the most of their college experience. It's indeed too bad I didn't have it when I needed it, but I'm glad the book is here for my niece.

Well, this confirms what savvy teens and their parents already know - Middle School is NOT too early to start thinking about college. That's where a lot of the ground work is laid - because that's where smart kids get on track taking the right math and science courses (which you can't get into later on if you lack the prerequisiste course from the year before), begin or expand their foreign language studies, and start taking meaningful electives such as art, drama, and architectural drawing.Borden talks about the Early Decision dilemmas that have been in the news recently. She also gives the inside scoop on standardized testing (also in the news a lot.) She offers sensible guidelines for visiting colleges, determining where to apply, and various kinds of financial aid that might be available for you. And she tells you why every college applicant should take SAT prep courses.This book helps you focus on the details you can control, and let go of the rest. If you start early (and "early" is a key word) you can significantly improve your chances of getting into the college of your choice.Throughout the book, Borden gives you the facts, and then zeroes in on the "Bottom Line" - what, exactly, do you need to know about this or that. Her book is easy to read and understand. The set up is also easy to follow.

What an incredibly complete guide to the college application process! Marian Borden has thoroughly researched this increasingly complex journey and made wonderful suggestions on subjects as varied as high school course selection, standardized test-taking, summertime and extra-curricular activities, and the college search and application process. She has also included a very complete chapter for the student-athlete hoping to play college level sports. She has answered so many questions so completely under one cover - a MUST for families of college-bound middle and high schoolers!

I bought this book for my daughter, who is starting 8th grade in September. I don't want her to panic in a few years and realize she didn't plan ahead for doing other things in 10th and 11th grade besides applying to college -- and worrying because she didn't have a plan in middle school! Even the kids who you would think would have no problem getting into the colleges of their choice aren't -- things are so competitive these days. This book answered many of her questions -- and I'm sure she'll be going back to it again and again in coming years.

With two children in Ivy League colleges, I thought I was an expert about college admissions, but this book proved me wrong. I picked it up because I have an eighth grader who wants to follow in her siblings' footsteps; I realize the college admissions game is constantly evolving. This book inspires organization and offers realistic advice without scaring the reader or over-dramatizing the process. I was also very impressed with the research about standardized testing, early admissions, and college visits. Even if you think you have a handle on getting into college, you will benefit from this book!