College admissions season: The Exceptional Applicant

For College Admission, You Don’t Have To Be Perfect, You Just Have To Be Original

by Dr. Deborah Bedor

I am fascinated by the college admission process but at the same time note how incredibly stressful it is for students to apply to their dream (and other) universities and colleges. There is the pressure teens put on themselves, the expectations of their families, the knowledge of what their friends are considering, their grades, activities, values….the list goes on. It is a scrutiny that teens undergo that I think is worse than what adults face in job interviews. Adding to the strain, high school students are so vulnerable and view colleges “no” letters very personally. What to do? I wish I knew.

I honestly had mixed feelings about this guide to getting into college. It is absolutely packed with information. A look at the Table of Contents shows how much is covered here; this is a truly extensive dive into the process. However, parts of this book may raise, rather than lower a student’s anxiety level. For example, when I read some of the sample college essays, I thought about how it would feel to write one of them. Even with my master’s, I felt a bit intimidated.

I think that this is a book to look at and then decide upon based on the child and their family. Many have praised this book. I just worry that it could add to the pressure of the whole process. To her credit, the anxiety is also a topic in this title.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Advantage Media Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub Date 26 Jul 2022