Product Description
The inside scoop on how to crack the code of college acceptance by a leading college admissions counselor. In Rock Hard Apps, Katherine Cohen, founder of Ivywise, a private college admissions practice, follows three students through the college application process and uses dozens of other real applications to illustrate what's effective in a college application, and what's not. Here is the inside scoop on courses and grades, SATs, brag sheets, personal essays, and extra credit. Rock Hard Apps also includes sidebars of do's and don't's, as well as one complete before and after winning application to an Ivy League school. Dr. Katherine Cohen -- who once worked in the admissions office of Yale University -- has cracked the code of college acceptance. Now she wants to teach students to view their applications through the eyes of those who will judge it. Rock Hard Apps is the ultimate guide to writing the perfect college application.
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Rock Hard Apps: How to Write a Killer College Application
- Paperback: 288 pages (2003-08-06)
- Publisher: Hyperion; 2003-08-06
- Label: Hyperion
- Studio: Hyperion
- ISBN: 0786868627
- Average Customer Review:
 based on 11 reviews
- Sales Rank in Books: #270944
Avg. Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: College Admission Tools 2008-10-06
Comment: Books are great and this one was written by a professional who knows what she is taliking about. However, you should also consider all your resources, including guidance counselors, online resources (www.howtogetin.com), college websites, campus tours, test prep services. There are so many aspects to improving your chances of getting into college that it can be overwhelming.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: DEFINITELY THE Best Guide for College Applications 2008-03-23
Comment: I read about five books like this in the summer before my son started 12th grade so I could get some insight into what it takes to get into top colleges and I would be prepared to help him with the process. They all had some good information, but "Rock Hard Apps" was far and away THE BEST ONE! They take you completely through three different students credentials and tell what was good and what was bad about each one. They actually list the students GPA, courses they took, SAT scores, AP scores, their application essays, and teacher and counselor recommendations and take you step-by-step through each. When I read the first student's college app essay, I thought it was really good. But then when I read the notes by the author about what was wrong with it, I started to understand the difference. The only thing is I WISH I HAD READ THIS BOOK SOONER. Parents and Students should read this book right away! Even BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL, if possible. I had my son read some parts of it and he decided to take AP Chem and AP Calc BC in his senior year. He wouldn't even consider it before reading this book. It's only March as I write this, but he has already been accepted to 11 of the 18 schools he applied to (no rejections yet). Some of the schools he's been accepted to so far are Georgetown, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Dartmouth, Williams College, Duke, and Univ of Miami. Though we don't know for sure, it may have something to do with him taking a rigorous course load in his senior year. This book really motivated him! And, gave me a lot of insight into what College Admissions Officers are looking for when they read your child's application.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: ROCK HARD APPS IS A SEARCH LIGHT INTO THE COLLEGE PROCESS 2007-06-27
Comment: Good information and advice for students who want to get into selective colleges. Really shows the
how-to of what we should not do; as well as what we should say on our applications. Rock Hard Apps...rocks!+++
4 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: This book got me into my college 2005-12-20
Comment: This book got me into my (currently one of the top 10 in the nation) college. It provided the advice and the necessary attitude for me to get into the school of my dreams.
Using it, I really learned how to write an application that would maximize my strengths and minimize my weaknesses, and how to present myself to a college admissions department.
The principles in this book are valuable for anyone writing an application anywhere, but its greatest value is of course in college applications.
The important part is that the advice in this book was worth $30,000 to the parents who approached this counselor, but you can get this advice simply by buying the book. I think that the book is a better deal.
0 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Your Guide to a Great Application!! 2005-06-23
Comment: This is a letter I felt compelled to write to the author after reading her two fabulous, highly informative books. The Truth About Getting In and Rock Hard Apps give you the edge you need to succeed as a prospective college student.
Hi Katherine.
I just wanted to take the time to thank you for writing two terrific books. I recently purchased your book, The Truth About Getting In, and found it so engaging that I had to pick up Rock Hard Apps as well.
I am strongly considering applying early to Princeton and your books gave me added confidence. In fact, I just completed my "brag sheet." I am an only child, so my family does not have much experience with the college admissions process. Before reading your books, the process seemed overwhelming and daunting, but now, I know exactly what I have to do to put my best foot forward and distinguish myself from other applicants. It may sound corny, but the admissions process and formulation of my application now seem more like an adventure.
As I was reading your books, I felt as if I were sitting right next to you receiving a private consultation. While writing this email, I feel more as if I'm writing to a close friend than an accomplished college counselor. If you have the ability to make such a profound impact through your words, I can only imagine the impact you have on your students.
When I put your books down, I actually felt like I had gained an inside look into the college admissions process. You do not lie. You truly reveal the "truth about getting in." All other college books I've read seem superficial compared to yours. I will take what you have taught me and do my best to apply it to my Princeton application as I work on completing it this summer.
Once again, thank you. I hope I will be able to attain success in my endeavors with your wisdom behind me. I will keep you posted!
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Rock Hard Apps: How to Write a Killer College Application
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