Decide Better: For College - Softcover

With the children of baby boomers attending college in record numbers, high school students and their parents often hear that the college admissions process is becoming harder and harder. But getting in is only the beginning. Deciding where to go, what to study, getting along with roommates, handling homework, and dealing with stress are all obstacles to be overcome. Three very different books guide teens and parents through different aspects of college life.

In Decide Better! For College (Motivation Publishing, 978-1-935112-03-7), Michael E. McGrath, author of Decide Better! For a Better Life, and Christopher K. McGrath help readers through the college journey, beginning with deciding whether to go to college at all. While the McGraths acknowledge that some teens may consider not attending college, they stress the importance of a degree in today's world. According to the US Census Bureau, people with a bachelor's degree can earn nearly $1 million more during their lifetime than a person who only completes high school.

When deciding where to apply, the authors recommend a system of filtering, sorting, and ranking colleges based on the school's location, academics, social factors, cost, and the student's own academic profile. To further help readers in the application process, the McGraths interviewed several college officials involved with deciding which candidates are accepted and which are rejected. In addition to standardized test scores, GPA, and grades from any college preparatory classes, colleges also consider factors like a student's class rank, application essay or writing sample, and recommendations, extracurricular activities, ability to pay, state or county of residence, and relationships with alumni.

From there, the authors move on to discuss making the decision of where to attend, deciding on a major, studying abroad, transferring schools, Greek life, housing, finances, and other important aspects of college life. While the book seems aimed at higher income families (all of the schools listed in the example sorting exercise are private institutions), students and parents will both come away with a lot of helpful information. . . . --ForeWord This Week, April 8th 2009