Issue Date: July 31, 2005

Education

Pointers for the college-bound

Summer's the time to visit campuses and to brainstorm. Here, our go-to consultant gives go-to-college advice.

by Reed Tucker

If you're a parent of a college-bound student, two questions have probably been keeping you up at night: First, how can I help my child get into a top school? And second, I wonder how much I could get for Nana's china on eBay to pay for it? You're on your own when it comes to footing the bill, but college consultants may be able to help with the admissions part. For fees ranging from a few hundred dollars to upwards of $30,000, these consultants guide you through each step, from writing the essay to handling a one-on-one interview.

To save you a boatload of cash, USA WEEKEND asked top consultant Michele Hernandez to spill her five best tips, gratis. Hernandez (whose Web site is hernandezcollegeconsulting.com) previously spent four years in admissions at Dartmouth, and her latest book, "Don't Worry, You'll Get In," is out now. Class is in session.

1 Get friendly with professors When you visit campuses, make a point of speaking to a teacher or two in your desired department. "You want to show a college that you're not just applying because it's a name. You have a particular reason for applying," Hernandez says. Singling out something specific a professor says (for example, say, "You mentioned that all the engineering projects are hands-on ...") is a good way for a student to get noticed.

2 Pound the keyboard "A lot of people assume the application doesn't matter, that the school is just going to look at grades and test scores," Hernandez says. But it does, especially the college essay. To prepare, she suggests that students read Harry Bauld's "On Writing the College Application Essay." And steer clear of clichés. "Focus on your academic interests and avoid the Outward Bound -- 'I made it up the mountain and didn't die.' They get that all the time," Hernandez says.

3 Open your mouth "In the interview, feel free to elaborate," Hernandez says. "If they ask you about your classes, don't just list them. Answer in detail. Try to convey your passion for the classes. Say, for example, 'Well, in my chemistry class, it was kind of boring until we started breaking down proteins, and that's when I realized I like the whole molecular structure idea, and I did a paper on my own.' "

4 Be creative with your high school choices Universities are looking for students who actively pursue their interests. High-schoolers who simply take the prescribed list won't make much of an impression. So branch out. "If, for example, you really liked languages and hated math, the admissions board would much rather see that you dropped math and took an extra language class or took an Italian class at a community college," Hernandez says. Just make sure you don't go overboard with the gym classes.

5 Get a "real" job "If you come from a privileged background, make sure you have some work experience other than summer camp or babysitting -- all the plush jobs that admissions people don't consider real jobs," Hernandez advises. The tougher the job, the better: Working construction or busing tables shows that a student isn't afraid to work or won't act like Paris Hilton.