What You Don't Know Can Keep You Out of College: A Top Consultant Explains the 13 Fatal Application Mistakesand Why Character Is the Key to College Admissions

by Don Dunbar and G.F. Lichtenberg

In the tradition of The Gatekeepers , a veteran counselor provides the missing key to the college admissions door with insider wisdom about how admissions committees think, and the thirteen fatal... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1592403026
• ISBN13: 9781592403028
• Release Date: July 2007
• Publisher: Avery
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.6" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Worth it!

I used this book for my Medical School application, and even though this book is mainly for Undergraduate College preparation, I could still learn a lot about what really the admission committee looking for in a candidate. It helps you with your essay writing, all the way to the interview preparation. For me it was useful for my interview preparation, I got accepted! :-)

Extremely pleased

Mr Dunbar's book is an invaluable tool in the process of choosing the right college and preparing your prospective student for putting thier best foot forward.My son has recently gone through 3 college interviews and Mr.Dunbar's book could not have been more correct on exactly how the interviews were conducted.This book is a must have for any college search.

Help students navigate the college admissions process

What You Don't Know Can Keep You Out of College provides an honest look at the college admissions process. Author Don Dunbar presents 13 mistakes that could keep a student out of their dream college. Dunbar was fortunate enough to sit in on meetings where the most prestigious colleges in the nation decided whether to admit applicants. He was also a College Counselor for Phillips Academy in Andover, MA, a top-notch prep school. In other words; he knows what he's talking about. He explains, in the simplest terms possible, what it takes to get accepted into institutions of higher learning. Dunbar specifically focuses on how a student's character is the key to being admitted. He explains the idea of character in a way teenagers can easily understand. He gives advice on how to make your best qualities shine in your application, and how to make yourself stand out as a person to admissions officers. He stresses that institutions are looking for a student who will contribute something positive to their school and community. What You Don't Know Can Keep You Out of College also contains valuable advice about writing essays, interviews, extracurricular activities, getting wait listed and almost every other aspect of the college admissions process. This advice does not focus so much on what to do, but what not to do. Throughout the book, the author continues to stress the overriding theme of being true to yourself, and being honest on your college applications. Dunbar provides clear and direct advice about nearly every obstacle one may face while applying to college. Quill Says: Dunbar puts forth a book teens will read with ease and understanding. The lessons taught in this book will surely help many students navigate through the college admissions process.

a excellent book

it is a good book especially if you are a talented student and you need little advices

How To Avoid The Pitfalls of The Admission Process...And There Are Many!

I bought this book with the intent of giving to my daughter, who is quickly approaching the age where college applications, essays and interviews fill the air. I decided to read it myself, as I have bought her several books about college that have turned out to be duds. I wanted to make sure she wouldn't waste valuable time reading a book that wouldn't be of any help to her. I discovered the book is full of advice on how to write essays that many top colleges are seeking and how to avoid pitfalls that are common to applicants. In addition, I also discovered a wealth of information on how to interview and what traps to avoid during that process. The book is well written and the information timely and helpful if you are trying to get into a top school, or if you are a student with poor grades trying to get into an average school. It is written in plain language, and although there is some redundancy, it is a book that can easily be read by college bound high school students. The one caution is that the book is geared for students who are seeking admission into liberal arts colleges. They are the primary colleges that are looking at essays and using interviews for admission purposes. More technical colleges, as my daughter has discovered, are looking more at course load and grades, and put little emphasis or importance on the essay/interview process. If you are looking to go to a technical college, this book might help a little, but it is very helpful for those seeking admission into top liberal arts colleges.