The Truth about College Admission: A Family Guide to Getting In and Staying Together

A high school counselor and a college admission director help families on the path to a positive college search and admission experience.

Is your family just starting to think about visiting colleges? Maybe you are in the throes of the experience, feeling stressed out and overwhelmed. Did we miss a deadline? Should we be looking in-state or out-of-state, big school or small school? And what is a "FAFSA" anyway?

The Truth about College Admission is the easy-to-follow, comprehensive, go-to guide for families. The expert authors―with inside knowledge from both the high school and university sides of the experience―provide critical advice, thoughtful strategies, helpful direction, and invaluable reassurance during the long and often bewildering college admission journey. From searching for colleges and creating a list of favorites to crafting an application, learning what schools are looking for academically and outside the classroom, and getting insight into how colleges decide who to accept, this book covers every important step. Helpful sections like "Try This," "Talk about This," and "Check In" show your family how to have open and balanced conversations to keep everyone on the same page, feeling less stressed, and actually enjoying the adventure together.

The Truth about College Admission is the practical and inspiring guidebook your family needs, an essential companion along the path to college acceptance.

Brennan Barnard is the director of college counseling for Khan Lab School and for the College Guidance Network. He also serves as the college admission program advisor for the Harvard Graduate School of Education's Making Caring Common project.

Rick Clark is the assistant vice provost and executive director of undergraduate admission at the Georgia Institute of Technology.