College and University Books

This book does a fantastic job of tracing the history of broadcasting of Irish football, both radio and television. The only criticism I have of it is that it sometimes repeats itself from chapter to chapter. It's almost as if the chapters were seperate articles, or part of a serialized presentation which naturally requires repetition to "update" the reader. This is a very minor problem, however, which is vastly overshadowed by the depth of the research. It would have been nice to see an appendix that listed the various broadcasts by medium and by announcer(s) but this may very well be impossible considering the "open" policy that Notre Dame had in the early days, where anyone could broadcast if they had the equipment. A great work that I would not hesitate getting for anyone with an interest in Notre Dame or college football in general. Some who do not like Notre Dame may not feel that the book is objective enough to be a true "history" of college football broadcasting, but if they do not like Notre Dame, they probably can't read anyway (he says with tounge planted firmly in cheek.)

This may be one of the best books on sports broadcasting ever written. Dr. Gulifor covers The Fighting Irish on air like a late afternoon fog covers South Bend in November. Great oral histories with some of the key personnel of Notre Dame broadcasts. The is a well researched book, and one that both scholars of broadcasting and football fans will appreciate.

I picked up this book as another Notre Dame book for a Notre Dame fan, however, I received both a "really enjoyable read" and an education. This book is not my typical read. This book is an excellent reference to the history NCAA Football broadcasting, even if you are not an IRISH fan, and might even adjust your thoughts about Notre Dame with respect to their history and recent actions with NBC.

Dr. Gullifor has written a book that is both scholarly and readable. As an Indiana resident, I have always had an interest in ND, but until I read this book, I had no idea how ND helped secure their national prominance in football through the contracts they were able to negotiate. Dr. Gullifor has clearly researched his subject and has presented a very credible work.

A Must Read for anyone interested in Sports Media
Dr. Gullifor gives the reader an in depth understanding of the evolution of sports broadcasting in American culture, and examines the decision making process of broadast executives in regards to Notre Dame. This should be required reading for anyone interested in sports media.

For most presses, East European studies is a dying breed, consigned to the periphery by Europe's metamorphoses and other global challenges. However, Granville (history, Stanford Univ.) examines an event that retains stinging memories almost 50 years later--the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. The author explored archives accessible only after the Cold War, and had extraordinary cooperation from archivists in Moscow, Budapest, and elsewhere. Kadar, Nagy, Rakosi, Tito, Khrushchev, Eisenhower, Dulles, and other personalities, as well as arcane communist and democratic bureaucracies, are revealed through countless archival fragments. Granville is at her best telling the interwoven story of 1956. Ultimately, Granville's analysis leads to a no-fault conclusion, suggesting that misperceptions and misconceptions among all actors led to the disastrous outcome. Recommended for graduate students and above.-- D.N. Nelson, University of New Haven

Johanna Granville is one of the most industrious and talented of the scholars who have seized upon new archival opportunities to deepen our understanding of the Cold War. For _The First Domino_, the author has scoured archives in Europe and the United States in an effort to find out how the principal actors arrived at decisions regarding the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Matters, as she writes, were not as simple as they once appeared. Nikita Khrushchev and other Soviet leaders bad difficulty, for example, deciding whether or not to suppress the uprising by force. In fact, they voted not to intervene one day (October 28)before they ordered decisive military action (October 31). Some of what she has uncovered is already known: that Imre Nagy denounced some of his countrymen during his years in Soviet Russia (1930-44) and that he did not invite the initial Soviet invasion of October 23-24. But thanks to Granville's linguistic abilities, she has shed new light on the seemingly inexplicable conduct of Poland's Wladyslaw Gomulka and Yugoslavia's Josip Broz Tito. Moreover, she has helped to clarify Janos Kadar's decision to betray Nagy and the revolution. In a particularly compelling chapter, Granville examines the role the United States played before and during the revolution. She concludes that the Eisenhower Administration's talk of "rollback" and "liberation," when combined with U.S. intelligence operations and psychological warfare, may have led Soviet leaders to fear a U.S. intervention and, thus, to opt for a harder line. Above all, however, Granville reminds us of historical contingency. Those who have studied the revolution have sometimes taken the view that Hungarians and Soviets acted out of necessity. Granville herself thinks that given Hungarians' historic detestation of Russia and communism, revolution was bound to erupt; and Nagy's "trial and probably ... execution were inevitable." She should have written "were very likely," because elsewhere she observes that if the Soviets had removed Stalinist dictator Matyas Rakosi sooner, there might not have been a revolution; and that had there been no Polish crisis of October 19-20, Budapest's students might not have demonstrated on October 23. "No event," she wisely concludes, "is ever predestined; individuals can make rational choices to change the course of history at any given moment." ---Lee Congdon, Professor of History, James Madison University._History: Review of New Books_ (Summer 2004),v 32, i4: p 147.

Dr. Granville's book is without question a first-rate, well-researched monograph. She uses Hungarian documents that even Hungarians have not read, sometimes presenting them in dialogue form (Chapter 3). The books reads like a novel in some places. (...)

This long-awaited review of archival records dealing with the Hungarian uprising of 1956 is destined to appear on numerous Cold War historians' bibliographies. It is a meticulously researched study, a grand example of erudite scholarship in its truest sense. Dr. Granville's examination of declassified documents is exhaustively and exhaustingly thorough.

Johanna Granville's The First Domino: International Decision Making during the Hungarian Crisis of 1956 (...), a pioneering work on East European Cold War history, confirms that when President Eisenhower had his chance to redeem the Republican campaign pledge to "roll back" the Soviet occupation of Hungary, he failed and thus perpetuated that occupation for three more decades.
This is a remarkable study of Cold War history because the author, at home in Russian and other languages, has availed herself of recently opened Soviet and other archives to describe how Hungary became the first "domino" in a process that "resulted ultimately in the Soviet Union's loss of hegemony over Eastern Europe in 1989."
The Hungarian revolt resulted in more than 2,000 deaths and the flight of over 200,000 refugees to the West. It is worth noting that a far smaller group of earlier Hungarian refugees, who fled to America from a Nazi-endangered Europe, helped build the first atomic bomb during World War II.
Chapter 6 of "The First Domino" is the most fascinating, since it explores U.S. psychological warfare and covert activities in Eastern Europe during the 1950s, including broadcasts by Radio Free Europe.---Washington Times, March 21, 2004 by Arnold Beichman, Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University

Much writing on higher education falls into predictable categories, such as moralistic (sometimes voyeuristic) screeds about debased student culture or high-minded praise of the transformative power of the liberal arts. Tim Clydesdale's "The First Year Out" is neither of these. Instead, it's a rigorous, engaging, beautifully written work of social science that tracks a representative sample of teens through the last year of high school and first year of college.

Clydesdale's empirically based analysis is unassailable, but no one is likely to be comfortable with all his conclusions. Contrary to the moralists, Clydesdale reports that most students are onlookers, not participants, in the hedonism sensationalized by novelist Tom Wolfe. Dashing the hopes of liberal arts idealists, he demonstrates that few students are willing to wrestle with fundamental questions about identity, belief or politics during their first year out. Clydesdale argues that we need to shed preconceptions, "lower our lofty ideals," and engage students as they are, not as we imagine or wish them to be. Everyone involved in higher education--professors, administrators, student affairs professionals--should read "The First Year Out."

A very enjoyable read that dispels many of our myths about what goes on during that first year of college. Dr. Clydesdale's book is both scholarly and fun, and we finished the book feeling like we had a much better understanding of the complexity of the lives of "real" teens. His central thesis, that teens' values are not so much undermined as they are underutilized, is very useful. Specifically, his research demonstrates an interesting pattern by which students come to college with a given religious identity and values, then store these in what he calls an "identity lockbox," where they remain for the duration of their college years both unchallenged and unaccessed. This is a remarkable and important insight, and provides readers with a powerful tool for understanding the lives of first year students. As Christian workers and non-specialists we found this book very accessible and would recommend it to anyone who works with teens.

Tim Clydesdale's book, The First Year Out: Understanding American Teens After High School (University of Chicago Press, 2007) demands the close attention of all who teach at the post-secondary level. The author, a sociologist, has interviewed in depth a large cohort of high school seniors and college freshmen. He seeks to understand how they see themselves--and how they see the role of course-related study in their lives.

Clydesdale has discovered many things that college and university faculty may find challenging and even upsetting. He finds most students "culturally inoculated against intellectual curiosity and creative engagement." They are preoccupied instead by the pursuit of "happiness and fulfillment" through "personal relationships and individual consumption."

While Clydesdale strips away illusions, he also provides a foundation from which to rethink the ways that faculty might better approach students. This book is academic social science at its best. Everyone who teaches at the college or university level should read The First Year Out.

I found this book incredibly interesting and I think it is useful for a wider audience than just fellow sociologists, a true work of "public sociology". From the vantage-point of a relatively recent alumni of a high school very similar to the pseudonymous "NJ High" and a current scholar/educator, I think it will be interesting, engaging, and useful for all scholars, educators, parents and teens (hopefully some will read this work it even if not required of them). I do think my somewhat insider-status gives me a bit of authority to say that Clydesdale's work was extremely insightful and his observations and perceptions were right on. I couldn't help but think of my own position while reading the book, not far removed from the teen years under discussion, but also finding myself in the early years of "intelligentsia" and scholarship as a current PhD candidate.

While reading, I caught myself looking back and trying to place myself into the framework set out by Clydesdale, and the roles of my own family, faith and community. The themes of students' love of learning being dulled by boredom, complacency, and being unchallenged in school were true not only of myself but large numbers of my fellow teenage students. I was not at the level of "future intelligentsia" of say a "Rob Robertson" while in high school or even my first year out, so I may be an example of Clydesdale's theory that the second and third years of college offer an opportunity to broaden perspectives and engage interests.

I was also able to read this work as someone who is just starting to work with teens from the other side of the discussion, teaching and engaging with primarily first and second year university students in and out of the classroom. Thus Clydesdale's comments on grade inflation and students "playing the game" through face-time and once-a-class surface level engagement rang particularly true (as did his discussion of out-of-touch professors and scholars for that matter). The discussion towards the end of the book about students building tents on tentative ground particularly worthy of note and of use in understanding students' world-views.

Tim Clydesdale gives us a forthright and candid description of college students today -- a dose of reality that I hope will help faculty members communicate more effectively with their students. Today's freshmen do not seek to understand Aeschylus or John Stuart Mill -- but they are savvy and practical. Faculty who can reach them "where they are" will be much better teachers and will help those students move toward maturity and even intellectual engagement. Clydesdale offers some advice on how to achieve that level of communication.

I read this book early in the mornings before the newspaper arrived. I found myself getting up earlier and earlier each day so I could read more. I saw myself many times. I thought I was unique; however, after reading this book, I realized that I was just like other Husker fans. I started following the Huskers in the mid 50's. I have had season tickets since the 70's sometime. Thank you for such an entertaining book.

This book is great key to understanding the mind of a true Husker fan. If you grew up in Nebraska, you share an unspoken bond with the football program. One sport, and one sport only, dominates the airwaves, broadcasts, and conversation all across the state. Steve does a phenomenal job in describing his feelings, thoughts and emotions of growing up in Nebraska with football evrywhere you look.
When reading this book, you get an understanding of what it is like to be a Nebraskan, and why we have such a passion for football. The book helps make you understand why it much more than just a game, it is a way of life. Nowhere in the nation, does one team serve as the lifeforce for an entire people. Growing up in Nebraska, I have experienced and shared the same feelings and emotions. Husker football has been an emotional rollercoaster from the disappointing close calls of missed 2 point conversions and field goals that cost national championships, to the nail biter games with Oklahoma on Thansgiving, to a 60-3 record over 5 years with 3 national titles. Nebraska football means so much more than can be imagined to its fans and the residents of the great state of Nebraska. Steve lets you into the life of a Nebraskan growing up and becoming a Husker fan more and more along the way.

Steve Smith is a gifted writer and he has captured his love of the Huskers in this witty narrative. I simply could not put this book down. Mr. Smith's true gift is his ability to translate the emotions of a die-hard fan-the very definition of fanatical-into a character set that leaves the reader both relating to, and endeared by his love and devotion for Nebraska Football. This book isn't just for Huskers; every sports fan will enjoy its insight and humor.

I highly reccommend this book to all Cornhusker fans! Mr. Smith knows his Big Red football and understands the devotion they inspire because he is such a faithful fan himself. He accurately and humorously portrays what it means to be a Nebraska fan through the good, bad, and the ugly.

If you ever wondered what draws Husker fans to Lincoln on Saturdays in the fall, author Steve Smith lays it all out in this book. It is a humorous but honest look from one fan's perspective about the passion surrounding the draw of Husker football. Husker fans will immediately relate to this book. College football fans reading it will say to themselves "Aha! That's why they're so crazy!".

I wouldn't call this a 'fan' book as much as I'd call it a personal search by author Steve Smith trying to understand his love, passion, and fanaticism for Husker football. That search leads through his life starting with his first Husker game - a Nebraska 50-0 win over Iowa on September 20th, 1980 - to the firing of Frank Solich and the initial season of Bill Callahan. It's a journey that many of us have taken, coming from small town Nebraska to attend the University in Lincoln, where we would have expected, as Smith states "like countless hicks from the sticks, I assumed everyone in Lincoln wore Husker gear all the time".

Smith's writing is always entertaining, even when he's being brutally honest about Nebraska, saying things that we all know to be true but would never say out loud. You establish a personal relationship with him as he shares his life centered around Husker football. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as many of the memories related by Smith are similar to my own. Steve Smith has lived a mirror of my life due to our shared obsession with Husker football and coming from small-town Nebraska.

Forever Red is an excellent Husker fan book and would make a great present for any college football fan.

Very complete research on many aspects of life in "Select" colleges. Certainly a good book to read if you have a child, or are a student interested in the highly competitive colleges.

I have studied higher education for 20 years and my greatest frustration has been the public's unwillingness to look beyond the designer label when choosing a college. Prestigious universities get and maintain their reputations DESPITE their typically offering extremely poor undergraduate education. Not only are classes often large and poorly taught, many students find themselves stressed into fearful quiescence in classes and into depression or eating disorders outside of class (with the colleges doing little to prevent it. And for the privilege, the four-year actual total cost of attending such institutions is nearly $150,000, with only modest cash financial aid available to the middle class. Finally, there's a book which, with painstaking documentation, tells some of the tale. I would only add that even the vaunted career-boosting of an Ivy diploma is seriously overrated. Because these institutions attract the nation's best and brightest students (They really can't be that bright if they're willing to pay so much for so little) they would get great jobs no matter where they went to college. Indeed, at less selective students, these Ivy-caliber students would stand out, thereby getting to hold leadership positions on campus, receive superlative letters of recommendation from professors and administrators, and insider leads on jobs--none of which is as likely at an Ivy institution, filled with student superstars. This book is a MUST read for anyone considering attending or sending their child to a "prestigious" college. The truly wise choice is to send your Ivy-caliber child to a public institution that has a substantive honors program. Some of the small publics may be particularly wise choices: Mary Washington, Evergreen State, St. Mary's College of Maryland.

Howard Greene, the most esteemed of all educational consulants, writes of the social, academic, and campus experience of college students. This book is a clear must for anyone interested in what really goes on inside of well known colleges and universities throughout the country. Honest and interesting, Greene has sucessfully accomplished another outstanding book! I can't wait to see what he will publish next! Perhaps a piece co-written with his daughter, a college freshman?

This book holds no punches. It tells it like it is - from the students - on areas such as social life, drinking on campus, safety issues, various academic pros and cons, skill of profs, morale, racism, etc. Shows good differences between schools we think of as "the same" - eg, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth. I like the charts too - they helped me find the information I wanted quickly and clearly. Strong recommendation.

This is the third college guide written by the Greenes I have read. So far, they have all been excellent. This book is an in depth analytical study extracted from a survey of over 3,000 students who attended twenty elite schools (8 Ivies, 9 private universities, and 3 top public universities). As usual, the Greenes writing is impecable and very lively, including numerous direct fascinating quotes from students. This makes digesting this occasionally dry material a lot more fun than expected.

This book is a reality check. Apparently, the character of these schools has really changed over the past several decades. Gone is the collegiate country club atmosphere some of these campuses may have had. Instead, the atmosphere is now described as intense, competitive, and cutthroat by 90% of the students in the survey. Also, 84% of the students indicated that the academic workload was their overriding concern. The grade pressure is intense and made doubly so given the exceptional student body. How can you possibly excel among straight As valedictorians with many of the classes graded on a curve?

The Greenes mention that going to such academically competitive schools may be a questionable choice to maximize your chance to go to top graduate schools. Regarding two Med school candidates with equivalent academic caliber, one has a 2.9 GPA from Yale the other a 3.6 GPA from State U. Who wins? The higher GPA candidate will win out. Additionally, the Greenes remove the illusion that if you go to Harvard undergrad you have a better shot at a Harvard graduate school. You don't. The top graduate schools recruiting throws a nationwide net looking for the best talent (the higher GPAs among other parameters).

The Greenes' survey removes any illusion that these top colleges represent ideal communities. They do not. Their academic pressure-cooking atmosphere results in numerous psychological and social ailments. The amount of drug usage, alcohol consumption, including frequent binge drinking is rampant. Binge drinking is practiced on a regular basis by 80% of the fraternity and sorority houses. For non-Greek members binge drinking practitioners still represent 45% of men and 36% of women. These behaviors result in occurrence of depression, date rape, sexual abuse, and other safety issues. In this regard, women are more vulnerable for obvious reasons. Within the survey, 50% of women indicated they were concerned about their safety on a daily basis.

Another result of the academic pressure and grade competition is the surprisingly high level of cheating. Within the survey, 29% of the students indicated that academic cheating had a direct effect on their class position or grades.

The survey feedback regarding academics was mixed. For instance, Harvard's faculty was criticized for being removed and not good teachers. Is this really the best college in the nation? On the other hand Princeton, Yale, Columbia received high praise for their faculty. Feedback regarding college social life was often more mediocre. As you can imagine extremely high IQ has no positive correlation with EQ. In other words, don't necessarily expect a healthy, balanced, and fun social life from these schools.

But the myth lives on. By many other standards, these schools remain the most successful ones in the nation. They achieve staggeringly high graduation rates ranging from 90% to 97% compared to only 40% for the nationwide average and about 70% for any pretty descent school. Also, 83% of the students indicated they would make the same school choice again if they relived their recent past. This is most probably far higher a percentage than for lesser schools. And, this is despite the high stress, the concern about academic workload, and often the criticism in the quality of the teaching delivered by the faculty. Is this masochism?

The Greenes indicate what it takes to remain sane in such a stressful environment. This entails being self-motivated, with a strong psyche, a creative spirit, a tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty, and a sense of humor to let you take on adversity in stride.

The Greenes recommend an excellent method in selecting a college. First know thyself. Be aware of what academic, and geographical environment you will thrive in. What is your preferred classroom learning environment? How intellectually driven are you really? What are your relevant fears and weaknesses regarding your adaptative skills to the campus life? Only by asking yourself these tough questions, will you know what kind of school represents a good match. Next, look at your achievements (GPA/SATs) and within the pool of schools that represent a good match, you look at the best fit by investigating the schools in details. The Greenes have a three page list of investigative questions to ask administrators of prospective schools including issues on campus safety, campus social atmosphere, quality of campus living, alcohol and drug policy, availability of substance free dorms, crime record. This college selection is a sane alternative to the brand name obsession we have with the top schools.

This book captures - visually and through the written word - the untold story of so many of our nation's workers without whom our greatest institutions would exist on much weaker foundations. Greg Halpern - through the lens of his camera and the words of the workers he met and befriended - poignantly illustrates the unfortunate plight of so many workers who give so much to their jobs but whose jobs and employers give so little to them. This is a must-read, must-view book for anyone who cares about the state of our nation's workforce. This book is a wonderful way to pay homage to the amazing people who are the true, yet tragically invisible, backbone of Ivy League institutions like Harvard.

This is a poignant look at the people who are invisible (up until now), who are the backbone of the infrastructure of Harvard. The picture on the cover tells it all: proud, yet ignored by those who she serves. This is an important work of art and protest.

For those of you who thought that documentary photography was boring, think again. Greg Halpern brings stunning inner life to the portraits in this book. The early rave reviews in the New York Times and the Boston Globe are dead on -- this kid has serious talent and it translates into one of the most memorable photo books that I have seen in years. I bought several copies of this first edition for friends and family and I have no doubt that these books will one day be collectors' items. For those of you who are photo buffs, and even for those of you who are not, this book is a must have!

This book is long overdue. Listening to the NPR show "The Connection" I became aware that the forces that resulted in this book have actually brought about some change at Harvard...why did it take a public humiliation of Harvard to do what they should have done all along...In any case the book has beautiful and sensitive photographs coupled with startling interviews that everyone should read....

I've been waiting for this book to come out ever since I read a review in the New York Times book review. It was worth the wait. I found it to be thought provoking, informative as well as a glimpse into the lives of service workers. Regardless of your political persuasion, this book deserves to be read. I thought that the author did a remarkable job presenting the facts behind the Living Wage Campaign. I could not put the book down once I started reading it and the people profiled in the book stayed with me. Read this book!

Jessica found a new man,Nick Fox,He's good looking, but he hides a secret. Celine is back,and wants to be a Theta,she hides Drugs,and blames it on Jessica. Elizabeth helps her boyfriend,Tom Watts celebrate his 21st birthday,then this man comes in,his name is George Conroy,he is Tom's biological father,and Tom's also got 1 half brother Jake 8 Years old and Mary 10 years old.Tom meets Mr.Conroy at his birthday party,now you remember Tom lost his father,mother,older sister and 2 brothers during his freshman year of college or high school,in a snowstorm.

This book is really great. Some parts of it were predictable, others weren't. Jessica meets Nick Fox, who's cute and mysterious. She knows he has many secrets, and she wants to find out every last one of them! Elizabeth Wakefield is working on two projects- planning her boyfriend, Tom Watts's surprise birthday party, and helping George Conroy find his missing son. Could both projects be combined? It's pretty exciting, but a little predictable how that scenario turns out. Celine Boundreaux is back at SVU and wants to fit in. She tries to buy her way into the Thetas, and steal Jessica's boyfriend, Nick Fox. Tom Watts is really sad because of his family, but Elizabeth ahs two surprises for him. Jessica is trying to figure out Nick Fox's secret. It was really exciting, and very romantic. This book is great!

I couldn't put it down, i know what's up with nick fox and oh poor tom, he doesn't know his surprise yet though, and Nina why would she change I've read it at least three times, I need to read the next one, i need to know what happens. Read it!

Jessica has found him the perfect guy. Nick fox is As savy as you can get (and i mean rell savy). Things start to heat up as Nick and Jess started getting to know each other a little bit more! But Jessica knows Nick Has secrets to hideand she wants to know every single one of them. (And she will trust me she will) but more interesting things start to happen as the book goes on......................................................

How come the summer's events were never metioned in this book? Did they just forget that Liz cheated on Tom with Ryan? And that Jessica was going to visit Ben Mercer all the time? What about Nina Harper's guy, huh? I think that they should of metioned the summer to get in some controversery in this otherwise kinda dull book. (Busted's ten times more exicting.) It would be so cool if Ben Mercer just showed up at SVU to make trouble in Nick's and Jess's realtionship.

I loved reading this book, and I thought it was fantastic. However, after reading it, I saw the 1944 movie "Gaslight", and I believe the author of this book just watched that movie and totally STOLE THE PLOT. I could predict what was going to happen in the movie based on what had happened in the book. For that reason, I have to say, "SHAME ON YOU, FRANCINE PASCAL! SHAME!!!"

The House Of Death was so cool, I read it in an hour because I couldn't put it down! I'm a long-time Sweet Valley fan, and the last thiriller this good was Sweet Valley High #???-A Killer On Board. I enjoyed it.

This was a great book. I read it in about two nights because I could'nt put it down. It is very suspenceful. I was really scared for Lila. I can't believe she fell for Porter Davis. I felt bad for Bruce. You'll have to read the book to find out why I felt this way.

I thought that this book was really good because it was mostly on Lila and Bruce. (my fave charecters). Lila falls for a docter, Porter Davis after she has an accident. Porter is a phcyo who tries to make Lila belive she is crazy. Also Jess plays tricks on Tom because he moves in with her and Liz.

This is got to be one of the best SVU thrillers. So good, with on the edge of your seat action. That guy she was with was a physco. A total physco, and I'm so glad Lila went back to Bruce. They were made for eachother!

This book is very helpful in forming a coherent, persuasive and meaningful application statement. Michael Mason was my senior AP English teacher, and speaking with him in person is even more beneficial! If possible take one of his writing workshops, he is one of the most inspirational people I have ever met. If you can't find a workshop to take, at least pick up the book!

This book has greatly helped me out. I mean, this is simply the best book for people who have questions regarding personal statements. The techniques, the attention grabbers, the rules, and the humanity shockers all those are shockingly persuasive, and it difinitely improves my chances of getting into UCLA. Thancks Mason.

Of the many books on college that I've brought home for my offspring to look at, _How to Write a Winning College Application Essay_ is the first that my daughter read.

The book is well organized and has interesting topics. My favorite was the chapter of essays gone wrong, and the intelligent discussion of what went wrong with them. My daughter spent hours on the writing exercises--though she hates her writing about herself--and I think they helped her. The tone of this book is helpful, not the least bit condescending, as it points out errors of content, style and tone that can hurt the applicant's chances.

This best part of this book is that it has a large section (50+ pages) on how to gather the raw material on your life that can help you find the material for your essay. If you have no idea who your hero is or what adversity you've overcome, this will help you find your story and the supporting antecdotes that make your essay stand out. Mason also gives very specific instructions on how to write a good essay. This would be a good book for someone who wants some guidance turning ideas into a workable essay. It also has short chapters in writing essays for the SAT II English test, graduate school admissions and scholarship essays.

MY name is.... I was born and raised here. I have 2 brothers and 3 sisters. I know that if i get accepted into this college or one like it I will do my best and keep my grades up. I have a 3.725 right know in middle school for my G.P.a and right know i'm working on getting my 4.0 and see if i can keep it all the way through high-school. I would be honered to be accepted into this college and do my very best for you. well please read this very carefully i have never had to write anything like this or actually i haven't been taught how yet. I just started writing out of my head and tryed to figure it out by myself if you could, could you maybe help me out if I am way out of reach with this thank you....

Well, this confirms what savvy teens and their parents already know - Middle School is NOT too early to start thinking about college. That's where a lot of the ground work is laid - because that's where smart kids get on track taking the right math and science courses (which you can't get into later on if you lack the prerequisiste course from the year before), begin or expand their foreign language studies, and start taking meaningful electives such as art, drama, and architectural drawing.

Borden talks about the Early Decision dilemmas that have been in the news recently. She also gives the inside scoop on standardized testing (also in the news a lot.) She offers sensible guidelines for visiting colleges, determining where to apply, and various kinds of financial aid that might be available for you. And she tells you why every college applicant should take SAT prep courses.

This book helps you focus on the details you can control, and let go of the rest. If you start early (and "early" is a key word) you can significantly improve your chances of getting into the college of your choice.

Throughout the book, Borden gives you the facts, and then zeroes in on the "Bottom Line" - what, exactly, do you need to know about this or that. Her book is easy to read and understand. The set up is also easy to follow.

What an incredibly complete guide to the college application process! Marian Borden has thoroughly researched this increasingly complex journey and made wonderful suggestions on subjects as varied as high school course selection, standardized test-taking, summertime and extra-curricular activities, and the college search and application process. She has also included a very complete chapter for the student-athlete hoping to play college level sports. She has answered so many questions so completely under one cover - a MUST for families of college-bound middle and high schoolers!

If this book or one like had been available when I was moping around in the eighth grade, I would have been ... well, I would have had a much easier time with college. Marian Borden has written a readable, fact and tip filled, entertaining book aimed at kids in middle school (though she makes in clear that parents are more than welcome). She demystifies and organizes a process that has grown amazingly complicated and difficult, and she makes it fun. In fact, she shows how kids can increase their enjoyment of those years while building a solid record of accomplishment and depth that will make them interesting to college admissions types. The message of KickStart to College goes way beyond admissions, however, and provides strategies and actions that will help kids make the most of their college experience. It's indeed too bad I didn't have it when I needed it, but I'm glad the book is here for my niece.

I bought this book for my daughter, who is starting 8th grade in September. I don't want her to panic in a few years and realize she didn't plan ahead for doing other things in 10th and 11th grade besides applying to college -- and worrying because she didn't have a plan in middle school! Even the kids who you would think would have no problem getting into the colleges of their choice aren't -- things are so competitive these days. This book answered many of her questions -- and I'm sure she'll be going back to it again and again in coming years.

With two children in Ivy League colleges, I thought I was an expert about college admissions, but this book proved me wrong. I picked it up because I have an eighth grader who wants to follow in her siblings' footsteps; I realize the college admissions game is constantly evolving. This book inspires organization and offers realistic advice without scaring the reader or over-dramatizing the process. I was also very impressed with the research about standardized testing, early admissions, and college visits. Even if you think you have a handle on getting into college, you will benefit from this book!