Covering the business of education and training

Here are eight recommendations from college admission advisor to help you or your kid get into a top tier school.

1.  Take on a quality activity - do something that has meaning, makes a difference. Serve the needy, visit the sick, help the unfortunate, tutor the challenged.

2.  Don't procrastinate - Do you know where you want to go? Apply early. Well, if your kid is still in, say, elmentary school, it may be a bit too early.

3.  Be thorough and timely with your applications - The University of California schools require applications by November of the previous year you are applying for. Personally, I think this is quite stupid. It makes you or your kid's senior year meaningless for the application process.

4.  Make friends in the right places - get recommendations from the school president where you are applying or the closest person to him that you know. When asking someone to write a recommendation letter for you, tell them what you want them to say. No kidding! Better yet, write your own recommendation letter, send it to the person you are asking and tell them to make changes or additions as they see fit. It works!

5.  Do summer school - or at least do something that will make you a better candidate. Study Chinese. Learn to rock climb. Do something that will make you visibly a better person.

6.  still have to past the tests - and the best way to pass the tests is to read a lot of the right things.

7.  Forget the counselor and hire a GMAT or SAT tutor.

8.  Study hard, play hard, pray hard...and know which one to do and when.

And then you will get into the school you hope to....maybe.

What do you think?