Reviews for New York City's Best Middle Schools: A Parent's Guide, 3rd Edition

The average rating for New York City's Best Middle Schools: A Parent's Guide, 3rd Edition based on 2 reviews is 4.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2014-05-27 00:00:00 Dawn Krause As a college admissions consultant, I help my clients focus on the key question: "What unique strengths do you have to offer that this college needs?" Lynn O'Shaughnessy has taken this question to a new level. Her book adds the financial element to that equation. A student's ability to fill a college's gaps and meet its specific institutional needs, not only drives acceptance, but influences a college's financial generosity as well, when it comes to merit scholarships. This is a simple, intuitive concept that not many families recognize. As families push their high schoolers to "stretch" themselves to apply to prestigious "reach" colleges, they are overlooking great educational opportunities. If you get into Ivy U by the skin of your teeth, and you feel like they are "doing you a favor" by letting you squeak in, you are unlikely to get any financial incentives for going there. But if you are bringing something special to Under Ivy U, and they really want you for the distinctive contributions you can make (i.e., freshman stats, sports, arts, academic potential), they might feel a little more like you are doing them a favor, and they'll be willing to offer you a financial incentive to do so. Simple, isn't it? Thank you, Ms. O'Shaughnessy, for pointing out such a clear and brilliant principle. I suggest your book to all my students, and will continue to do so!

Review # 2 was written on 2016-04-03 00:00:00 James Decker The College Solution - A Great Guide in Understanding How Colleges Provide Aid and Awards Rating: 4.5 of 5 Author: Lynn O'Shaughnessy This book is like a reader's digest guide to college costs, aid, awards and maximizing the opportunities to reduce costs.  By explaining how colleges manage their finances and the information available on the internet, O'Shaughnessy lifts back the curtain on how colleges must operate to stay in the black, whether private or public, and how knowing these facts can save you significantly on paying for college.   For example, two fundamental keys to managing college costs are calculating and knowing your expected family contribution (EFC) and matching this with a school's net price calculator (NPC).  Knowing what factors affect your EFC and how this along with scores from standardized tests can help or hinder chances at awards and aid are critical.   Armed with the facts in this book, students and parents can save significantly and maximize their education dollar.  This book also provides insights on how to evaluate colleges, their admission processes, and increasing a students chances at acceptance and financial awards.  This edition is a great guide and starting point for those looking forward to their college career.