How can parents help?

You are not alone! Read accounts of the application process from the parents point of view. Many of these helped us keep things in perspective.

Book: Admissions Confidential: An Insider’s Account of the Elite College Selection Process, by Rachel Toor
A funny and revealing look behind the closed doors of an admissions office (in this case, Duke). Helps keep things in perspective and see how the ‘game is played’ from the other side.

Book: The Overachievers: The Secret lives of driven kids, by Alexandra Robbins
A sobering look at the effects of the out-of-control admissions process on the lives of actual kids.

Web: College Confidential - Parent Cafe
A wonderful discussion board for all the things parents are concerned about. Lively and irreverent.

Web: The Education Conservancy: restoring integrity to the admissions process
The Education Conservancy is a non-profit organization committed to supporting the educational needs of students amid the commercialization of college admissions. Author and campaigner Lloyd Thacker’s website.

Book: College Unranked: Ending the College Admissions Frenzy, by Lloyd Thacker
From a review: If you are the parent of a college-bound high school student, you owe it to yourself to read this collection of essays before you enter the fray of college admissions. Too many rankings. Too much marketing. Too much pressure. Too many tests. There’s a lot of blame to go around, and this book is a beginning at reforming the schools, students, parents and media who drive the system.

Blog: Seth Godin - We accidentally marketed ourselves into a corner
Seth Godin’s take on the current situation for undergraduate admissions.

Web: MONEY Magazine article: They want to sell your kid
Sobering look at the costs of college counseling, test prep and other services.

Book: Acceptance: A Novel
Author Susan Coll sends-up the college admissions race in this scary, sad, yet amusing novel. Read it and weep. You’ll never forget AP Harry (or his Mom) and friends as they struggle with the craziness some Seniors in high school go through when applying to college.