Kristen BixbyThere used to be these things called books that were filled with helpful information. Just kidding… we know that many people prefer to use the internet, but don’t overlook some really fantastic books that can help families through the college admission process. And, yes the internet is great, and usually free, but you get what you pay for, and purchasing a book from your local bookstore, or from Amazon, or even borrowing one from your local library can be a really good idea.
Here are the books we use and frequently refer to students and families.
Students:
The Fiske Guide to Colleges by Edward Fiske
Rather than books filled with lists and statistics, the Fiske Guide provides in-depth, unique information about each college. Written in narrative form, you can learn about the academics, social life, location, etc of a college. Another great feature is the Overlaps; when you look up one school the book will point out four or five other schools that are similar.
Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope
If we were to ask a random assortment of people across the United States to list 50 colleges, chances are, they would list a lot of the same ones. Many schools are well known by the general public. But, in this book, Loren Pope writes about 40 Colleges you may not know about, but that are excellent. In the field we call them “hidden gems.” Just because a college isn’t well known doesn’t mean it’s not a great school, and this book explains why.
The College Finder, Steven Antonoff
Back by popular demand, this book by Steven Antonoff went out of print for a while, but is back now and better than ever. This book has almost every list of colleges by characteristic. For example, lists in this book include, “Colleges for Shy Students,” “Colleges Where Sports Rule,” “Colleges With Conservative Students,” “Career-Oriented Colleges” and many, many more.
Parents:
Letting Go, A Parents’ Guide To Understanding The College Years by Kevin Coburn and Madge Treeger
Sending your child off to college can be really difficult for parents, and this book has been called a “life saver!” When should you intervene? When should you step back and encourage them to figure things out for themselves? If you have a child in college, or soon to attend college, this book is for you.
Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be by Frank Bruni
While the title of this book is speaking to students, it’s a good read for parents too. Sometimes parents get caught up in wanting their child to go to the “perfect” college and how that can/will shape the rest of their lives. This book helps parents take a deep breath, put things into perspective and realize that it’s not where your child goes, but what they do when they get there.
A Survival Guide to Parenting Teens by Joani Geltman
A large part of parenting teens these days is helping them realize their college and career goals. But in order for that to happen, a lot of trouble-shooting goes on during the high school years. Social, emotional and educational support is all put on parents’ shoulders. This book helps parents navigate these years and offers specific advice for helping your child through high school and, ultimately, college.
What are some books that have helped you through the process? We would love to know in the comments below.