<p>I got this book off of the free book table at the library this spring and I wondered if it could be of use to me in my college application process. However, it includes a lot of info that I find confusing:</p>
<p>-Under activities/work experience/volunteer experience on the Common App, she says to put the note "Please see attached supplement", which is a Microsoft word table in which you put your activities, sports, work, volunteer efforts, etc. and DETAILED explanations of each.</p>
<p>Is this necessary or helpful? I thought adcoms didn't like a lot of wordy supplements.</p>
<p>-She recommends doing the paper based application instead of online. Of course this book was printed in 2001 or so so online wasn't as prevalent.</p>
<p>-She recommends a supplemental, not-required essay just to do it, maybe to present yourself more. Is this good to do?</p>
<p>-Now she says a lot of sketchy stuff, like not putting your race on the app if your white, or your major if it's a common one (like econ or premed, just put undecided instead), or stuff like that. Is this even neccessary or is it just plain weird?</p>
<p>Anyone that has read the book, it would be great if you could review it and summarize its good and bad points. Thanks a lot...I look forward to starting my apps very soon!</p>
<p>i really like the book, however i think it is a little dated. i dont really know, but i'm sure applying online is less of a big deal now- you'll notice how she says to write in blue ink but the common app now says black, etc. i for one dont think i am going to attach a big activities list or an extra essay, but then again i am not applying to any ivies. i think her advice on writing essays was great, but her sample ones went on for pages.<br>
but it's good for inspiring confidence or at least familiarity with applying.</p>
<p>To the OP:
Doesn't take that long to read. Kind of hard to summarize because it's a point-by-point how-to.<br>
One of our two bibles we used, successfully.<br>
Agree that online changes may make technical suggestions dated, but we felt that if school didn't require or strongly encourage online, the paper worked best because more control was possible. However, this was because online spacing was not adequate at the time.<br>
I think content is more important than form, and MH's content suggestions are not dated, I feel.</p>
<p>Look, colleges are not going to look down upon you for using the paper app. In fact, if you can create a more compelling app using paper, colleges might praise you. You CAN include more materials in more creative ways using the paper app, so why not? And though the internet has snowballed quite a bit since 2001, the common app hasn't changed too much. So, what are you going to do to make yourself stand out? One thing you can do, is apply by paper. But if you do, make it worth your time, and the colleges time by adding important and SUCCINCTLY composed other materials that enhance your app.</p>
<p>I liked this book, too & guided S last year to use some of her advise & formatting. Definitely worth the read.</p>
<p>I think it's dated too on the online part. Besides a lot of colleges give you free application fee if you applying online. Why bother? Save the hassle.
If there is any difference it's very very minute, not worth worrying about.</p>