The College Bound Organizer is a step-by-step comprehensive guide to organizing every part of the college application process from college search through college admission.
The College Bound Organizer helps students:
- Understand what admission officers are looking for in an applicant
- Prevent common mistakes on their applications
- Plan an individualized testing schedule
- Research colleges to identify schools that are a good fit
- Develop a balanced list of schools
- Secure letters of recommendation
- Complete and submit applications accurately and on time
- Develop the college application essay
- Apply for financial aid and scholarships
- Ace interviews
- Sort through and manage application results
- Make a final decision
I had a chance to interview the authors to learn more.
Why did you write this book?
When our eldest children were beginning the college bound process, we searched for ways to understand how to best help them navigate their way. We read many advice books, spoke with guidance counselors and admissions officers, and reached out to parents who’d been through the process. We came away with a clear understanding of how to successfully apply to college: define your student, identify schools that fit that profile, stay on task to meet deadlines, and correctly submit all the components in a well executed manner. We wrote The College Bound Organizer to help students and other parents accomplish what we set out to do with our children.
What sets it apart from other prepared-for-college books?
Although there are many excellent books offering advice and information about the college process, there are no other books addressing the need for organization. Our book is the only comprehensive guide available to help students stay organized from search through admission. We’ve presented the information chronologically, guiding students each step of the way. We explain the process and offer our own advice as well as helpful tips from college admissions professionals. Included are worksheets, checklists, charts, and other application tools to help teens and their parents manage all the information required to complete applications and meet the multiple deadlines inherent in the process. Our goal is to help students present their best applications possible, making sure that all pertinent information is included and all deadlines are met so no opportunities are lost.
Why did you write this book?
When our eldest children were beginning the college bound process, we searched for ways to understand how to best help them navigate their way. We read many advice books, spoke with guidance counselors and admissions officers, and reached out to parents who’d been through the process. We came away with a clear understanding of how to successfully apply to college: define your student, identify schools that fit that profile, stay on task to meet deadlines, and correctly submit all the components in a well executed manner. We wrote The College Bound Organizer to help students and other parents accomplish what we set out to do with our children.
What sets it apart from other prepared-for-college books?
Although there are many excellent books offering advice and information about the college process, there are no other books addressing the need for organization. Our book is the only comprehensive guide available to help students stay organized from search through admission. We’ve presented the information chronologically, guiding students each step of the way. We explain the process and offer our own advice as well as helpful tips from college admissions professionals. Included are worksheets, checklists, charts, and other application tools to help teens and their parents manage all the information required to complete applications and meet the multiple deadlines inherent in the process. Our goal is to help students present their best applications possible, making sure that all pertinent information is included and all deadlines are met so no opportunities are lost.
What are some overlooked tips?
- Make an appropriate and balanced list of schools. Make sure this list includes safety, target and reach schools that your student would be happy to attend.
- Maintain a spreadsheet or worksheet that includes all the schools under consideration, application requirements and deadlines.
- Set up a separate email account that is appropriate and easy to read to be used just for college applications. Get into the habit of checking this account daily.
- Back-up all your work.
- Help your recommenders write a better letter by providing them with the highlights of your time spent in their classroom and also share your ‘resume’.
- Practice for college interviews
- Read and reread your essays before you hit “submit”.
- Follow up and confirm with Admissions at each individual school that your application is complete.
About the Authors
Anna Costaras and Gail Liss are co-founders of Bound to Organize, LLC, an educational consulting firm. Anna and Gail understand how stressful the college search and application process can be. As mothers of six college graduates, they have been through the process in their own homes and have worked with college bound teens as mentors and advisors.
Anna and Gail's story begins 25 years ago on the trading floor of a large New York based commercial bank. The two young women bonded instantly, forming a close personal friendship that helped them get through children’s birthday parties, kindergarten separations, middle school cliques, high school course selections and ultimately, college admissions. If raising three kids each seemed overwhelming at times, applying to college turned out to be downright staggering. Six students, 40 college visits, 71 college applications and two career women brought to their knees.
Anna and Gail quickly discovered that the application process had changed dramatically since they applied to college. More complicated and confusing than ever, it necessitates a level of expertise and savvy that practically requires a master’s degree in business. Which, luckily, Anna and Gail have, making them the perfect guides for students planning to attend college. Combining their career expertise with everything they’ve learned from their own children’s experiences, their goal was to share their organizing system with the college bound community.
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