The Truth about College Admission by Brennan E Barnard

Q: In a chapter on remapping admissions, you advise students to 'think like a dean.' Why is this important?Ī: When deans of admission begin planning to create a class, they cast a wide net. Determining your why not only helps determining where to visit and apply, but is also critical in ultimately selecting a college after being admitted to multiple institutions. Ironically, however, far too few students, especially from homes, schools and communities that deeply value higher education, ever take the time to think about and write these answers down. There is no right answer, because (like a good overall college search/selection process) it is uniquely personal. What are their hopes, dreams and goals? What are their specific wants and needs? Asking 'why college?' is foundational. To find a good match in a college, students need to consider why they are pursuing higher education. This is a flawed and limited mentality, which we believe puts the cart before the horse. As a result, their list and perspective is too narrow because they’re leaning toward what is familiar, acceptable or expected of them. Q: Early in the book, you have a chapter called 'Why are you going to college?' Why is this an important question to ask?Ī: Too often students launch into the college admission experience under self-imposed or external pressure from family and school community, focused on where they can get in or what they need to do to look good for colleges. They responded via email to questions about their book.

And the authors, Brennan Barnard, director of college counseling at the Derryfield School, and Rick Clark, director of undergraduate admissions at the Georgia Institute of Technology, have advice for everyone.

The Truth About College Admission (Johns Hopkins University Press) bills itself as 'a family guide,' recognizing the role of parents and students in the college admissions process.

The Truth about College Admission by Brennan E Barnard