What High Schools Don't Tell You: 300+ Secrets to Make Your Kid Irresistible to Colleges by Senior Year

In this second book, Wissner-Gross firmly establishes that she is more than a college admissions expert...she is a true educational mentor! This book should be on the reading list of every parent, student and guidance counselor!

Elizabeth Wissner-Gross's knowledge and experience shine through again! Any family who has this in hand as their child enters high-school will have their future transformed!

Whether your kid is about to enter high school or is already there, you will find a wealth of valuable tips in this book. Wissner-Gross offers the reader her time-proven advice for how to build a high school program that will help to foster your kid's interests while making him or her irresistible to colleges around the country. The point of this book is that you and your kid have to have a game plan if they are going to get the most out of high school. In the very first chapter, the author includes an ingenious questionnaire that helps kids -- even unfocused kids -- to identify their interests and to help them to set goals. Maybe your kid says he/she wants to be an astronaut, or a writer, or a sportscaster. Once you've identified the goals -- even if they change over time -- you can help them to build a portfolio of experiences in and out of school that will help to foster the passions that THEY have. By helping your kids to find every opportunity to pursue what they love, the author proves that they will not only be extremely well-prepared for, but also sought after by every college. Wissner-Gross even helps you out by identifying activities and programs of which few parents are even aware. Other amazing gems I found in this book include: * Secret 19: Summers are the best-kept secret of superstars--the time for your child to stand out from the pack ad gain an edge both for college admission and her future career. * Secret 68: Never assume that the menu of clubs offered at your child's public or private high school is limited to what already exists. * Secret 273: The best way to build a humanities pedigree for your child is to inquire about the Telluride Association Summer Programs (TASP). I bought Wissner-Gross's last book on how to get your kids into college, and this is the perfect complement. She has clearly identified that it's not just about getting your kids into a top college, but helping them to realize their dreams! The top college is just a bonus!

Wissner-Gross follows her college secrets book with an excellent presentation on how to prepare your high school student to compete to get into the best colleges. Some reviewers will deride the role of helicopter parents, manufacturing credentials, etc, but the bottom line is if your child wants to be able to compete in todays ultracompetitive environment, he has to have a game plan. She lists a number of great opportunities for students to expand their skills, and more importantly, helps you to help your child find a passion. So many summers are frittered away hanging out and doing nothing worthwhile. Doesnt it make sense to take 2-3 weeks for a great family vacation and spend a good part of the remaining time learning about something you are really into, discovering a passion, and at the same time making yourselves more desirable to the elite schools? Again, this is not because these schools should be sought after for prestige or for the inevitable parental bragging rites. Certain schools have great programs in obscure areas that students are interested in, or have an intellectual study body that your child would fit in with. Wissner-Gross's recommendations only help to make your child more competitive and more desirable by the college that they want to go to. The book is divided into two parts. The second gives a load of specific programs for a wide variety of intersts. When do you do this stuff? During the summers. Several summers of great educational activities is a lot of fun, a great educational tool, and creates a student who is very desirable to the top schools. Most high schools do not bother to make recommendations or do not know about them. Many tell you not to think about college until late in the junior year. If you take that approach, a number of schools that might be a great match for the student will be out of range. Start early, find the hidden passion, encourage motivation, and have fun. Great book- wish it available a few years ago.