Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 140
•
Trim: 6 x 9
978-1-4758-2734-7 • Hardback • May 2016 • $44.00 • (£34.00)
978-0-8108-9493-8 • Paperback • November 2017 • $30.00 • (£22.99)
978-1-4758-2736-1 • eBook • May 2016 • $28.50 • (£21.99)
María Carla Chicuén is an education advocate with over ten years of experience at renowned organizations such as ACT, Harvard University, the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, Minerva Schools and Miami Dade College. After a challenging high school journey as a recent immigrant from Cuba, María Carla won admission to five Ivy League schools and ultimately decided to attend Harvard after securing over $200,000 in financial aid. These early experiences fueled her deep passion towards higher education access, dedicating special efforts to encourage achievement among minority and low-income youth in the United States and Latin America.
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Trust Me: It’s Possible
Glossary: Key Terms to Navigate This Book and the College Applications
Chapter 1: A College Education: The Path to Prosperity and Opportunity
Going to College vs. Getting a Job
The Importance of College vs. Graduate School
Chapter 2: Selective Colleges: A Most Affordable Option for Low-Income Students
The Policies that Make Top Colleges Affordable
Why Harvard Might Be a Student’s Cheapest Option
Chapter 3: The Meaning of High Achievement: What Admission Officers are Looking For
The “Holistic” Application Review
Academic Skills
Extracurricular Participation
Character
Chapter 4: Meeting the Academic Admission Requirements at No Cost
Choosing the Best Possible High School
Pursuing a Rigorous Curriculum
Preparing for Standardized Testing
The Role of Parents
Chapter 5: How to Succeed in Extracurriculars Without Spending Money
Find What You Love
Explore Opportunities at School
Explore Opportunities Outside of School
Scaling Your Initiative
Chapter 6: Finding Accessible College Counselors: The Expert and the Role Model
Finding a College Counseling Expert
Finding a Role Model
My Essential College Counselors
Chapter 7: How to Choose Target Colleges in Three Steps
The “Right” Number of Target Colleges
Likelihood of Admission
Critical Characteristics
Strategies to Explore Colleges
Chapter 8: Applying for College Admission: What it Takes and How to Do It for Free
Application Requirements
Main Application Forms
University Supplements
Standardized Test Scores
What Do the ACT and SAT Test?
What Are the SAT Subject Tests?
When Should Students Take Standardized Exams?
How to Report Standardized Test Scores to Colleges
Essays
Supplemental Materials
Recommendation Letters
School Reports
Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Application Fees
Application Timeline
Chapter 9: Securing Financial Aid to Pay for College
Financial Aid From Universities
Scholarships From External Organizations
Chapter 10: Accepting an Offer: The Last Step in the College Application Process
Appendix: Convinced It’s Possible? College Preparation Timelines and Resources
Epilogue: An Open Letter to the Dreamers
Glossary
About the Author
Achieve the College Dream: You Don’t Need to be Rich to Attend a Top School is the sort of guide that does more than offer step-by-step instructions about how to pique admission officers’ interest, how to pursue a rigorous curriculum and how to explore extracurricular activities that don’t empty out the bank account. Maria Carla Chicuen has written a guidebook to inspire other students to reach for the stars. Achieve the College Dream provides an inspirational message from someone who has been there, done that and wants to inspire — nay, convince — others it can be done.— Miami Herald
Achieve the College Dream is a comprehensive guide to finding and affording the right college for students from all economic backgrounds. Designed especially for those of limited economic means, it is valuable for all students—rich, poor, or middle-income—with its well- organized, chronological approach to preparing for and applying to college.
It also is the story of a family that achieved the American Dream against formidable odds. As a fellow first-generation college student and financial aid recipient at an earlier Harvard, I am delighted to see that Maria is providing both inspiration and an important roadmap for the next generation of aspiring college students.— William R. Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, Harvard University
What a good subject to write a book about! The topic of the second chapter—how selective universities are usually the most affordable option for low-income students—is particularly important, as it is often ignored or looked at with disbelief.” — Jorge Domínguez, Antonio Madero Professor for the Study of Mexico in the Department of Government and Chair of The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies at Harvard University
I'm always encouraging my students to aim high and apply to Ivy League schools, but reading a first-hand account will provide them with the guidance they need to get there. This book can help me guide students into creating a better future for themselves and their families.— Anabel Basualdo, Teacher of the Year, International Studies Charter High School
Achieve the College Dream manages to do something very few college resource books have been able to do in the past: it inspires! By mixing her sophisticated understanding of top-tier college admissions with her energizing personal narrative of perseverance, Maria breaks down a convoluted and often times misunderstood process, into a digestible, easy-to-follow set of recommendations that all students can benefit from. This is a remarkable resource for all high-achieving students (and their parents) who never thought an elite college education was within their grasp—this book proves it is!— Daniel Edeza, talent scout at the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, former senior assistant director of admissions at Yale University Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Achieve the College Dream: You Don't Need to Be Rich to Attend a Top School addresses the unique and urgent concerns of a population of students who are largely underrepresented at our country's most selective colleges. This book is clearly and powerfully written. It is both a terrific tool and an inspiring story. It is comprehensive and from-the-heart. I have been waiting for a book like this for a long time. I wish I could give a copy of this book to every one of my students! — Joshua Steckel, College Counselor, NYC Department of Education; Co-Author, Hold Fast to Dreams (The New Press, 2014)
Achieve the College Dream is superbly written, easy-to-follow, and will serve as a valuable tool for high-achieving, underrepresented students, all of whom have the potential to succeed in selective institutions but often lack the advice or resources to navigate the college application process. The knowledge and skills gained through reading this book will allow students to not only apply but also to thrive in college.As a first generation American and college graduate, I personally identify with María’s story and mission to educate new generations of students. Achieve the College Dream is the book that I (and the world of higher education) have been waiting for. — Jessica Acosta, former college counselor and Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Tufts University