Schools that Offer Admission to Average Kids

A Book Review on America's Best Colleges for "B" Students

Apr 29, 2009

A myth in the world of college admission is that students need to have high GPA's and test scores. Many colleges look beyond these numbers for their ideal student body.

High school students and parents from across the country stress over academic merit. The Associated Press and MTV conducted a study which reported that school is the number one stressor for teenagers. Most of school pressure has to do with obtaining the highest GPA possible for college admission.

Many colleges do not require students to perform at an "A" level to be accepted. In fact Tamara Orr has written America's Best Colleges for "B" Students (Supercollege, 2007) which outlines 150 colleges that welcome average students. Her book is comprised of five sections that lead regular students through the college application process.

Choosing: How to Choose the Right College for You

In this section Orr explains why many colleges want "B" students. Mostly, the premise is that colleges really want a diverse student body, which requires broadening the application pool. Also within this section are helpful suggestions on selecting a college: visiting colleges, writing essays early, meeting the school counselor, and being involved in volunteering.

Getting In: Beyond the Basic Application Form

This next section highlights the secondary admission information: test scores, essays, and interviews. Tips on study strategies for the ACT and SAT are included, as is combating test anxiety. Moreover, the information on writing an essay is broken down into an easy formulate. The author helps the reader to improve the essay through sample essay topics and examples.

Paying: B Students Can Win Scholarships Too

Scholarships are readily available to all students; however, many students do not take the time to research them or know where to look to find them. Orr explores multiple student categories that have scholarships, for example, students who show leadership or have certain hobbies. Included in the description of the categories are example organizations and businesses to contact for scholarships.

Coping: Tips for Thriving

Unlike most college guides, this book includes a section on how to survive at college. From the basics of how to do laundry to time management, the author has included often overlooked topics of preparing for college.

The Colleges

The breadth and the purpose of the book is the list of colleges that accept students with average grades. Orr has chosen the schools based on four factors: high quality education, acceptance rate of average students, competitiveness, and school diversity.

The 150 colleges listed in the book are presented in the same format: easy to read and factual information. The author lists some of the most popular majors under each institution. An additional feature, called "The B Features", lists services and support at the college to assist all students to be successful.

America's Best Colleges for "B" Students is an excellent resource for high school sophomores and juniors have a "B" average. The author writes directly to the audience while providing sound advice and information. The book is full of suggestions for admission/applications, daily college living, and stress management. Readers will find the list of colleges helpful and purposeful to their post-secondary plans.

The copyright of the article Schools that Offer Admission to Average Kids in Colleges is owned by Kerrie Troseth. Permission to republish Schools that Offer Admission to Average Kids in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.