Book Recommendations for College Planning

There are a number of books that have been published recently that may be helpful to students and parents in the college search process.  The titles that have received the most positive reviews are the following in no particular order:

Admission Matters: What Students and Parents Need to Know About Getting into College by Sally P. Springer, Jon Reider and Marion R. Franck (Jul 14, 2009). This thoroughly revised and updated edition of the bestselling book Admission Matters demystifies the college application process and offers practical advice for choosing the right school, writing an effective essay, navigating financial aid, and more. This handy resource will help any college-bound student whether they attend well-funded private schools or cash-strapped public schools. Filled with helpful suggestions, ideas, and advice, the new edition also includes tips for home-schooled students who are preparing to attend college.

College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step by Robin Mamlet and Christine VanDeVelde (Aug 16, 2011). Inside this book, you'll find clear, comprehensive, and expert answers to all your questions along the way to an acceptance letter.  Mamlet and VanDeVelde cover the role of extracurricular activities, what it means to find the right "fit", the role of the student's courses taken in high school, the role of standardized testing, early admission, how wait lists work, when parents help too much, and advice for athletes, artists, international students, and those with learning differences.

Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Steps: Crafting a Winning Personal Statement by Alan Gelb (Mar 1, 2008). Writing a memorable personal statement can seem like an overwhelming project for a young college applicant, but college essay coach Alan Gelb's holistic strategy and reassuring voice takes out the intimidation factor. Students will identify an engaging topic and use creative writing techniques to compose a vivid statement that will reflect their individuality. A much-needed supplement to other college entrance guides, this useful handbook will help students win over the admissions dean, while preparing them to write better papers once they've been accepted. A guide to crafting a meaningful and polished college admissions essay that expresses the applicant's unique personality, strengths, and goals. Step-by-step instructions lead students from idea to initial draft, through revisions, and to a final version ready for submission.

Get It Together for College, 2nd Edition: A Planner to Help You Get Organized and Get In by The College Board (Jun 21, 2011). Any high-school senior will tell you that the hardest part of applying to college is getting organized and staying on top of all the forms, requirements, and deadlines. This revised edition of Get It Together for College helps students do just that. Completely updated to cover current college application policies and procedures, this planner covers everything from how to look for colleges to what to take to the dorm. The tools and tips are presented in a practical, quick-and-easy format that helps students relieve stress and take control of the process.

Welcome Back Letters to Parents

Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year!  Please click on the respective link below for the welcome back letter to parents from the MHS Counseling and Guidance Department.

Senior Parent Letter:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sMuxidGRCp-eJooZ23ds-u2-jNpTTbDSbok9W9qI6IE/edit

Junior Parent Letter:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1d4RewT9pBT9jQbE16lpEFUZaxwPzJG_yo5pFlBOpoQE/edit

Sophomore Parent Letter:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k4KHz_L48Ab4dePt3YxNtrHQlQxDfaE3xkNyKkNzfRs/edit

Freshmen Parent Letter:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zKMJ1Hm0sbf0oSIkvBcOY8CUUi_47hU3e4Ib5qFLzjc/edit