From the award-winning insiders at Washington Monthly an essential handbook that demystifies and illuminates the American college process for the rest of us - a new kind of college guide chock-full of the hard-to-find information that students and parents really want to know.

A smart, snappy, and comprehensive guide for the millions of adults who are thinking about going—or going back—to college and want to know how to do it right As anyone who has done it knows, going back to school is a major undertaking. For younger and older adults alike, starting or returning to school presents different challenges than those encountered by teens fresh out of high school and heading straight to college. Countless Americans take on this task while working, raising kids, caring for parents, volunteering, serving in the military—and in some cases all of the above. Although the "non-traditional" undergraduate student is in fact the new normal, the glut of college guides out there don't include practical advice for the busy moms, frustrated employees, and ambitious adults who are applying to college or hoping to finish earning a degree. Never Too Late will help readers jump-start a new professional path or speed down the one they're already on by guiding them through vital questions: What should I study? How can I afford the time and money required to get a college degree? How do I compare schools? With key chapters on flexibility ("It's About Time!" and "Face-to-Face or Cyberspace?") and rankings of the best colleges for grown-ups diving back into the books, Never Too Late is an essential reference for adults seeking a richer life—and a meaningful place in our rapidly changing economy and world.

Once again in 2006 the cost to attend college was double the inflation rate, according to the report "Trends in College Pricing 2006". The average rate of tuition at four-year private colleges was about $21,235; four-year public universities average $5,491. Tuition costs, of course, are just the beginning now add room and board, the cost of attending a private college is $29,026 per year on average, and $12,127 at four-year public universities. Take a look at IVY league universities such as Princeton and the total fees will climb to nearly $37,000. An 8% college inflation rate means that the cost of college doubles every nine years. For a baby born today, this means that college costs will be more than three times current rates when the child is ready for college. The average debt for graduating college seniors who borrow to finance their undergraduate degree is just under $20,000. But there is good news. There is more financial aid available than ever before over $134 billion. And, despite all of these college cost increases, a college education remains an affordable choice for most families. Armed with the information detailed in this comprehensive book you will be privy to over 2,200 programs that offer scholarships, internships, or loans to more than 1.7 million students each year. These are scholarships, grants, and loan programs that you have never heard of for example: The Millennium Scholarship Offers $10,000 to students who have lived in Nevada for at least two years before they graduate from high school. State-funded by Nevada's portion of the lawsuit settlement against national tobacco companies. Or Patrick Kerr Skateboard Scholarship One $5,000 and three $1,000 scholarships to students who promote skateboarding. Created by a Philadelphia mother after her 15-year-old son was killed while skateboarding. Are you tall ? Then apply for the Tall Clubs International Scholarship, Males 6'2" or taller and females 5'10" or higher qualify for a $1000.00 scholarship. In addition to scholarships and grants you will learn hundreds of innovative ways to slash your college cost including: calculating your college budget, Ways to Reduce your college budget, buy your text books & supplies cheap, Earn college credit on an accelerated basis, CLEP, Earn college credit outside the traditional classroom, Make use of payment alternatives, Tax credits, Combine higher education and course-related employment, National and community service, Tuition prepayment plans, Federal Funds, State Aid, credit card use, Private Sector Aid, College Funds. How to apply for loans, grants and scholarships, Preparing the financial Aid Packages, Saving for college, retirement funds, what to do when you are parents are divorced, getting awards, Private Scholarships, The Military, National Service, working while going to school, inexpensive dating ideas, medical & dental coverage, your car, your cell phone, your computer, your dorm room, spring break, entertainment, transportation. Maybe saving money to you does not matter, perhaps you won the lottery, but if you want to learn hundreds of innovative ways to save thousands on your college costs than this book is for you.

An invaluable resource for high school students who dream of getting into top- flight colleges College Matters offers the guidance of 12 students who made it into their dream colleges. They share their expertise about the entire process, from first explorations, to estimating chances, through the practical work of reaching the goal. Here's what you need to know to optimize your chances of admission to one of the most selective colleges. Features include: Proven techniques for getting into an elite college An approach that teenagers can identify with Chapters that are written by students uniquely qualified in specific topics--for example, Evelyn Huang, author of the financial aid chapter, won more than $110,000 in scholarships

"A resource book for students, parents, and professionals"--Cover.

Shane Windmeyer, co-founder of the Lambda 10 Project, has created the first guide for gay and lesbian students to colleges and universities that best address their needs. This book has grown out national clearinghouse for gay, lesbian and bisexual issues concerning fraternity and sorority life. This new guide profiles over 100 institutions and ranks them on critical LGBT issues. 27/10/2005

College 101: A Girl's Guide to Freshman Year is a comprehensive and authentic guide for girls to everything college. Unlike other college guides, College 101 is written from the honest, humorous, and relatable first-person perspective of a young woman who recently experienced her freshman year, while also offering the advice of experts and unique experiences of other college-aged women. This refreshing guide shows girls what to really expect from their first year of college, including pro tips and common pitfalls to avoid. From managing academics and navigating frat culture on campus, to avoiding debt and getting enough sleep, this book answers all girls' questions about university life, including those they didn't even know they had! Presented in a dynamic and varied format, College 101 imparts seriously valuable information and secrets about the freshman year that every girl needs to make sure she survives (and actually enjoys) her first college experience. Grades 9-12

Two award-winning professors, a former admissions officer at a major university (now a counselor at a prestigious high school), and a gifted high school senior (now in the throes of the college admissions process himself) team up to offer you over 600 tips, techniques, and strategies to help you get in to the college of your choice. Comprehensive, yet easy-to-read, this book will teach you: How to size up the colleges you're considering—and come up with a coherent list. What are college nights, college fairs, and college rep visits—and how you can use each to your advantage. What are "holistic", "contextualized", and "legacy" admissions—and how each can work for you. How some schools count "demonstrated interest"—and how you can take advantage of this little-known fact. What are Early Decision, Early Action, and Single-Choice Early Action—and whether any is right for you. How to figure out the true costs of college, and what is the difference between "need-" and "merit-based" aid. What it means when colleges say they meet "100% of demonstrated financial aid" and what "loan-free" means. When and how to make campus visits—and what to do on each. How to prepare for each section of the ACT or SAT—and how to increase your scores. What admissions officers are looking for in your application—and how to give it to them. How to write the all-important Common App essay—and present your extra-curricular activities. How to prepare for an alumni interview—and present yourself in the best light. Whom to ask for letters-of-recommendation—and how to help them write the best possible letter. How to compare your final offers—and, in some cases, substantially improve them. When it's good to wait out the "wait list"—and when not. -and much, much more. When you understand the college admissions process, you can maximize your chance of success. Why not put yourself ahead of the pack?

The transition from high school to college is a significant turning point in a student's life, and this easy-to-read guide gives students the tools they need to select and apply to college and move forward with skill and confidence. Everything a student needs to know is included, from developing organizational, note-taking, test-taking, and study skills to managing living space, student-teacher relationships, social and academic life, and extracurricular and leisure time activities is included.

A college degree has never been more important—or more expensive. If you're not made of money, where can you get an amazing liberal arts education without your parents having to remortgage the house or cash in their retirement fund? Which degrees will allow you to fulfill your dreams and earn a decent paycheck? What do you really need to know if you're the first in your family to go to college? How do you find good schools that offer a well-rounded campus life for black or Latino students? From the staff of Washington Monthly comes a new kind of college guide, inspired by and including the magazine's signature alternative college rankings. The Other College Guide features smartly designed, engaging chapters on finding the best-fit schools and the real deal about money, loans, and preparing for the world of work. This essential higher ed handbook also highlights information on what to look for (and watch out for) in online programs and for-profit colleges and concludes with fifty profiles of remarkable but frequently overlooked schools. All things being unequal, The Other College Guide will provide American students—and their families and school counselors—with the honest and practical information they need to make sense of the college process and carve a path to the future they imagine.