Kicking Apps and Making Names: A Guide to Successfully Navigating the College Application Process

In this workbook, Platt and Chiofalo demystify the college application process and present students and families with a step by step program for successfully navigating their high school experience. Submitting a compelling application to the college of your dreams doesn't happen overnight. It takes planning and organization and this book is the perfect guide for that process. Whether you are starting this process as a freshman or jumping into your applications senior year, this book is the resource that you need. Chapters will take you from yearly expectations through the entirety of the college selection and application process and even through making effective use of the summer after high school graduation. With a balanced mix of pertinent advice, helpful tips and functional graphic organizers this guide will help students gain confidence, develop a sense of personal responsibility and ultimately discover who they are through the process.Using this book will help students to Kick Apps and Make a Name for themselves along the way.Many books written about college admission focus on the application itself. While there is an entire section of this book dedicated to that aspect of the process, there is also a large portion dedicated to setting yourself up for success through all four years of high school. In addition, the workbook style format allows students to use the embedded tables to actually plan their strategy. Even the section on essay writing and accompanying sample essays is focused on helping students with the writing process not just showing them a final product.Section one of the book is aimed at finding your story. Beginning with a year by year monthly planner followed by a focus on effective use of summers, students can see how to structure their time during high school. This is followed by chapters on selecting your program of studies and specific courses as well as acing your standardized tests. This section ends with chapters on resume creation and college search and selection. Once section one is complete students will have made a name for themselves.Section two of the book is all about kicking apps. It walks students through the mechanics of the application process including the parts of the apps themselves. This is followed by a detailed analysis of how to write main and supplemental essays with plenty of examples to consider. Platt and Chiofalo then take time to address the other ancillary aspects of the application process including obtaining killer recommendation letters, having a memorable interview, and then following up after your applications are submitted.Whether you are just beginning your high school journey or experiencing some anxiety jumping into the application process senior year, this book is exactly what you need to alleviate your stress and give you the best chance possible of being admitted to the school of your dreams.