TRUE ADMISSIONS: What Colleges Want and Why

Submitted by Karen Johnston

TRUE ADMISSIONS: What Colleges Want and Why

The PTSA of Gunn and Palo Alto High Schools have partnered together to bring Christine VanDeVelde, co-author of the best-selling book “College Admissions: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step”,  to the Palo Alto community.  Ms. VanDeVelde will speak Monday, Oct 1, from 7-9:00 pm in Haymarket Auditorium (Palo Alto High School), and Tues, Oct 2, from 7-9:00 pm in Spangenberg Auditorium (Gunn High School). It will be the same presentation both evenings.

Ms. VanDeVelde will discuss such topics as finding the right college fit, understanding

the importance of high grades vs. tough courses, the role of testing, and the weight of

extra-curricular activities, such as athletics and music.  Much of the time will be devoted to Q & A with the audience so she can address the specific issues that concern our community.  In addition, a representative from each school’s guidance department will be on hand to add further advice and perspective.

The speaker, a former Palo Alto parent and free-lance journalist who has written for Parenting Magazine, USA Today and the New York Times,  joined forces with Robin Mamlet, former Dean of Admissions at Stanford, Swarthmore, and Sarah Lawrence, to write the book, which offers practical advice to students and parents in planning for college. In addition to the wisdom and expertise of the co-authors, their book also incorporates the wise counsel of more than 50 deans of college admission.

All high school parents and students are invited to these events, which are hosted by the PTSA.  In addition, Books Inc. will be at both sites for those who wish to buy the author’s book.

As an added bonus, Ms. VanDeVelde is also working with the Guidance Departments at both schools to put together a workshop for high school students. The workshop at Gunn High School will be on Monday, Oct 1, and interested students are referred to Leighton Lang for specific details (llang@pausd.org). Ms. VanDeVelde is working with Ms. Sandra Cernobori at Palo Alto High School, and it will be held Tues.Oct 2. The specific details are posted at paly.net/college.

If you have questions, please contact Karen Johnston at kj.squint@gmail.com (Gunn PTSA), or Jane Gee jane@geefamily.com or Mary Louise Ebinger theebingers@comcast.net (Paly PTSA).