Review: All encompassing guide takes the guesswork out of competitive admissions
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 10, 2012
"Acceptance to top schools seems nearly impossible, almost as if reserved for the godlike few with a long list of superhuman qualities," begins Kim Palacios, an attendee of renowned schools, admissions committee member and admissions officer at a top university.  But as Palacios observes, Harvard, Yale, and Waldorf aren't just for whiz kids and wunderkinds- competitive schools, from preschool to grad school, rank candidates similarly.  Thanks to this lively, crystal-clear guide, a prestigious academic career can be yours-or your children's- too.  It's a lot like playing the market, and the years Palacios spent studying trends pays off in this well-laid out format. Palacios shows that competitive admissions are not just about academia- it's about values, projecting a favorable image, and finding your unique angle and expressing it to the school. Everything from acing the interviews to follow-ups and thank-yous are covered, including all the elements of great answers, identifying the types of questions you'll be asked, and knowing what questions to ask yourself. Interestingly, Palacios notes that sometimes what school are looking for encompasses concepts that are rarely articulated, alerting the reader to the need to look out for buzz phrases.  The book also covers methods of thinking that help you choose a school and stresses the importance of good judgment, not taking everything you read at face value. "The internet is an unregulated place where anybody, whether credentialed or not, can say anything about any topic," writes Palacios.  The broad array of topics doesn't end there- there's also a section on the value of social media, targeting mistakes, when to take the tests, and understanding costs.  There's even a part about handling rejection and reapplying, but with this wealth of information, you won't need it.  Palacios provides a surefire method for ensuring your academic career is a glittering one.