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Getting in Without Freaking Out: The Official College Admissions Guide for Overwhelmed Parents
by Arlene Matthews
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Three Rivers Press (2006-02-07)
ISBN: 1400098416
EAN: 9781400098415
Dewy Decimal #: 378.198
Paperback: 256 pages
Release Date: 2006-02-07
SKU: 08020150
Condition: Like New As issued n
Comments: Paperback. Like new condition with no markings and no creases to spine or cover. Very slight wear to cover. Near fine copy.
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
Is College Planning Driving You Crazy?
Somehow, watching as your children decide which schools to apply to is as stressful for you as it is for them. If you’ve found yourself contemplating essay forgery, scheduling five college tours for a single holiday weekend, and obsessively checking the U.S. News and World Report rankings, you may be on the verge of freaking out. But as a parent, it’s important to (try to) remain calm and help keep everything in perspective.
Written specifically for parents and their college-bound teens, Getting In Without Freaking Out is an insider’s guide to the application process by professional college coach Arlene Matthews. Years of experience have taught her the secrets of playing the admissions game without all the anxiety. Now, Arlene shares what admissions officers won’t tell you—that getting into a great college isn’t as hard as it seems! You’ll learn . . .
• How to get into a top college without ever taking the SATs
• Why a little procrastination never hurt anyone
• Why applying to fewer schools increases the chances of acceptance
• What really matters when your child goes off to college—and beyond
As entertaining as it is practical and realistic, Getting In Without Freaking Out is the only guide of its kind—one that helps you get through the getting-in process with grace, good humor, and knowledge that will enhance your student’s chance of success.
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Customer Reviews
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Not Helpful to Me
Rating  (2)
Date: 2008-10-27
I really had high hopes for this book, but boy was I disappointed! I was going to buy this book outright, but decided to check it out from the library first. Good idea! Most of Arlene Matthew's writing in this book is supposed to be funny- I think, but in reality, it wasted my time. However, I did find that wherever she has a little paperclip icon, there was usually some good info. If you put all of the paperclipped information together, it would probably be about a 20 page booklet instead of a 253 page rambling chuckle book. Honestly, check it out from the library before buying it. This book just wasn't helpful to me at all.
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Parents, Keep It By Your Bedside
Rating  (5)
Date: 2007-10-27
"Trophy schools are like trophy wives" writes the author of this practical and down-to-earth admissions primer. "They both turn your peers green with envy, they are both very seductive and expensive, and they both may put more energy into recruiting new prospects than they put into you." If you have, as I do, a really good, perfectly normal kid who wants to go to a good, perfectly normal school, this book's for you. It's like a "Don't Sweat The Small Stuff" for parents of the college bound. I enjoyed the style of writing and the infusion of humor into all the information. I have shared some of the best pieces with my son's SAT tutor and guidance counselor. I have also shared the book with other parents and friends who are going through the process or will soon. The author has offered a balanced perspective. My advice: read a very digestible chapter or two before bed each night.
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Very disappointing!
Rating  (1)
Date: 2007-10-26
5 out of 7 customers found this reveiw helpful
As one of the aforementioned "overwhelmed" parents, I didn't find this slim book helpful at all. There's very little to it, first of all; I suspect the author wrote this in a weekend. Each "chapter" is about two pages long; the style is breezy, uninformative, and somewhat patronizing. I don't believe this author is as amusing as she thinks she is. The information provided isn't anything you didn't already know, haven't heard a zillion times before, or couldn't find out from the Internet or your child's high school career center. Finally, that's a hefty price tag for something so inconsequential.
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Sanity, humor, unique and sound advice
Rating (5)
Date: 2007-10-16
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
This uplifting book offers not only great advice that helps you organize your time but also counsel that helps you get your priorities straight. College is "the cheese and cracker plate of life," says the author, nothing compared to the banquet that lies ahead. She advises that kids and parents keep it all in perspective, and reminds us that WE are the consumers who need to make a smart buying decision. Meanwhile, what to do? Ignore those flattering "invitations to apply" (they're about as meaningful and sincere as invitations to sign up for a credit card), focus on what it is you want to learn, and control your urge to barrage admissions officers with extraneous information and countless clever letters ("nobody likes a stalker and few will invite one to come and live closer"). Present yourself in the best light, craft an essay that offers a glimpse of your individuality (steer clear of platitudes about word peace and environmental correctness) and pay attention to detail. The book is liberally dosed with (much appreciated) humor, but if you really want to know how important it is for the whole family to handle this transition with grace, read the author's "Secret 100 -- The Ultimate Acceptance Letter." Hint: It's not from a college, but rather from a parent to a child about to be launched off to an excellent adventure.
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Nothing Profound
Rating (2)
Date: 2007-10-11
1 out of 3 customers found this reveiw helpful
The author mostly states the obvious--stuff you already know. Some of the information can be insulting or belittling. You don't need to spend your money on that!
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