With too many applicants competing for too few spots, it's harder than ever to get in to the college of your dreams. Fortunately, you and your family don't have to navigate the admissions process on your own. "Brand U" by renowned college admissions adviser David Montesano, shows you exactly how to prepare for and create a successful college application.

"An instructive guide to writing a compelling college application essay"--

"Examining the two basic components of scholarship competition-essays and interviews-this vital guidebook offers practical advice and real-life examples to guide students through the entire application process. A roundtable panel of judges and applicants supply inside information regarding the winning qualities sought after by award-giving organizations and tips for finding scholarships by using books, the internet, personal connections, and sources...

Provides more than 50 successful admission essays straight from the source--recent college graduates making the transition to earning advanced degrees at highly selective graduate programs. Harvard, Columbia, Stanford, and Northwestern are just a few of the universities to which these students were admitted. Each of the essays contains designated segments highlighting the particular characteristics that make them outstanding admissions essays. Additionally,...

"Share a time you left your comfort zone." That's the Stanford University essay prompt keeping senior Aisha Agarwal up at night. As a daughter of immigrant parents, a scholarship student at a competitive private school, and a shoo-in for valedictorian, Aisha's straight-and-narrow path has always guaranteed safety and success. But after her longtime crush, fellow brain Brian, stands her up at winter formal, Aisha decides that playing it safe just isn't...

Senior year is full of surprises when Chloe returns home from her internship in New York City. While she was learning the ins and outs of the fashion industry, her friends were getting ready for senior year. Settling back into her old life proves to be harder than Chloe thought. As much as she tries to fall into her old routine, she can't help feeling left out and left behind. Chloe is ready to realize her dream of being a designer, but deciding on...

Our beloved Upper East Siders, all grown up. Though high school may be behind most of them, you can be sure a future of love, scandal, and, of course, secrets awaits. Told through the eyes of an all-knowing blogger, Gossip Girl, who, via constant, avidly read text messages, is determined to uncover and fuel every scandal possible on Manhattan's Upper East Side, where gossip rules and affluent young people find themselves with the money, access, and...

"Everyone you will read about was accepted to Yale. The authors contributed their common application essay, supplemental essay, why Yale and short questions and answers, along with activities, awards/honors, and high school courses. When you read each student's chapter, you are not reading an application package, you are reading a personal story. From each personal story, you could see how each student puts her/his pieces together to show who he/she...