Road to College

The college application process is complicated, and most students need all the help they can get. If you're wondering how to figure out what you really love to do, how to translate your interests into meaningful extra-curricular activities, and how doing this will help you enjoy yourself during the stressful college admissions season, then this is the book for you. The Road to College: The High School Student's Guide to Discovering Your Passion, Getting Involved, and Getting Admitted will show you how to prepare for college applications by starting early, learning what you love, and pursuing your unique interests.

The Road to College explains how high school students can pursue their individual passions in a variety of areas: the arts, sports, community service, government, the sciences, and more. It provides the practical advice you need to make the most of your high school experience and to prepare for life after high school.

The following is an excerpt from the book…

The Not-So-Secret Link Between Activities and College Admissions
So how does making the most of the co- and extracurricular opportunities in your school and community relate to getting into the college of your dreams? The answer is simple: Colleges love a well-rounded student. This means that a few well-chosen activities - when combined with an impressive academic record - go a long way with admissions officers.

In the previous chapter, you learned that you should challenge yourself by taking harder classes (whenever possible, you should elect honors-level and Advanced Placement courses); donšt fool yourself into thinking that the easy route is the safest! The decision to challenge yourself not only reflects your character and maturity, but also sends a message to college admission officers that youšre an ambitious and dedicated student - two qualities that add up to success when it comes to college-level work.

The same principle applies to co- and extracurricular activities. Provided in large part for students benefit, these activities play an integral part in the mental, physical, and emotional development of young people. In fact, they have been proven to teach cooperation and team work, promote initiative and leadership, enhance critical thinking, and reinforce learning that takes place in the classroom. Selective colleges expect to admit students who have engaged purposefully in such activities and who show evidence of these experiences in their character and studies. Just as with academics, you should look for a challenge. What you give is what you get, and a complete commitment to an activity will pay off come graduation day.