Julia Johnston

Best Answers to the 201 Most Frequently Asked Questions about Getting into College has answers in various forms: narrative, student experiences, and how-to and informational lists, often with a humorous twist.

From the Introduction:
"At first glance, [201 questions] might seem a ridiculous number of questions to ask about any topic. But consider two things: First, this book doesn’t aim to get you into just any college, but rather, into a college that is a good fit for you and the institution. After all, pairing with a particular college is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. Second, to get from high school to college, you’ll have to twist and turn through more than one maze. Quite frankly, it will be a puzzle like you’ve never experienced."

From a student’s My Experience feature:
"I hated high school. I was good in English, bad at math. But instead of working with my strengths in English to keep me challenged, I got put into regular track programs because of math scores. I had an abysmal 1.8 GPA, but high test scores and a strong extracurricular record. I got 34 on the ACT.

"My senior year I participated in a bridge program--half-day high school, half-day college. Sort of got my feet wet with the university. I also got into a summer bridge program for the sciences. That provided good support for entrance into the University of New Mexico as a premed major on scholarship.

"But I found the premed required courses incredibly unappealing; I changed to anthropology….But that still wasn’t what I wanted to do. So I left school, moved to Chicago, and worked in radio for six years. Then I decided I really did want my degree....

"High school students should get to try different options. If you aren’t sure the college you’ve chosen is the right one for you, or if you just don’t want to be in college, don’t panic about the pressure you are going to be under....You’ll be happiest if you find answers to questions you yourself are interested in."

One of many helpful lists:
10 Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a College (p.108)
1. Your entire group of high school friends is applying to the local college so everyone can still be together.
2. The campus must be near a shopping mall.
3. This is the school your parents attended; they were happy there and are positive you will be too.
4. This college is absolutely the only one in the world for you, so you don’t bother to investigate others.
5. The school is so close to home that your parents will still do your laundry and feed you a couple times a week.
6. You have almost no firsthand knowledge of or experience with the college, but are betting that the place will be a good match for you.
7. The extracurricular and intramural sports offerings aren’t to your liking, but all you intend to do is study for the next four years, so who cares?
8. You’ll be the smartest student on campus.
9. It’s cheap.
10. Either: You live in a big city; you don’t know anything about small towns, so why would you consider a small-town college? Or: You live in a small town; you don’t know anything about big cities, so why would you consider a big-city college?