Smart reads

Careers and Colleges, Sept-Oct, 2005

Although you learn a lot from CAREERS AND COLLEGES, you have to read more to find your path to success. Here are a couple of our suggested books:

The Unofficial, Unbiased Guide to the 331 Most Interesting Colleges by Kaplan (Simon and Schuster, $19, www.simonsays.com)

This guide gives you the real story about what college is like by giving information and advice from current students and grads. The book also provides essentials on costs, school size, admission standards, as well as other facts and figures.

Acing the College Application by Michele Hernandez (Ballantine Books, $13.95, www.randomhouse.com)

This former assistant director of admission at Dartmouth College says that information about on-campus leadership is one of the most important things that a student should provide in a college application but often leaves off. Other great tips focus on essay writing, alumni interviews, recommendations, and contacting the admission office.