An insider's college admissions guide that teaches students to identify and harness their unique passions, stand out from the crowd, and achieve their dreams. Dr. Aviva Legatt has spent her career in higher education as a professor, counselor, and admissions officer in the Ivy League, and she wants to let students in on a secret: admissions offices are sick of seeing the same cookie-cutter applications. What were once considered best practices for “doing high school right” are now so commonplace that they have become a liability. Get Real and Get In teaches readers to think outside of the box and focus on what admissions officers are really looking for—young people who dare to be their most authentic selves. Through engaging, accessible, and empathetic prose, this book forms an inspirational roadmap for readers to uncover their true passions and leverage them to create applications that truly stand out from the crowd. It also features a variety of useful exercises and candid stories from many influential figures, which teach students to look beyond just getting into a “good” college and focus more actively on identifying and attaining their long term goals. Get Real and Get In is designed to ignite an essential mindset shift in students: stop trying to just “get in” and start figuring out exactly what you want from life and how to get it. Stop managing the impressions you make on admissions officers and start defying impressions. This is an essential guide to cutting through the noise of the admissions process and gaining the confidence to forge one’s own path to success—in college and beyond.

"Potlucks are a simple custom that transcend political affiliations, economic status, religion, and all other social demographics. While the culture of rural communities is constantly changing, the simple gathering of humans around food is not. However, the influence of technology as a driving force for communication and professional lifestyles requiring repeated moves have altered the ability for community development and casual conversation, directly affecting our immediate communities and human connection. DISH is a series of potluck gathering hosted throughout Minnesota and based in the field of social practice art. Featuring photographs and recipes collected from DISH events at Madelia, Mankato, Fergus Falls, New York Mills, New London, Hutchinson, Hallock, St. Cloud, and Detroit Lakes, as well as a special online event, this book focuses on the authentic food, recipes, and experiences, stories and life in contemporary Minnesota society that collectively define Minnesota culture." -- adapted from back cover.

This study sought to understand how college enrollment strategies function within two particular school environments, given that schools serve an essential function in preparing students for postsecondary plans (Ballantine & Spade, 2015). When compared to New York City public school averages, the two case study schools are exceptional in that they demonstrate very high rates of college-going among low-income and minority students. Using constant comparative analysis and a multiple case approach, this study found that the schools achieved high rates of college enrollment through taking a responsibility-centered approach to guiding students toward college options and the college and financial aid application processes; through cultivating a college-going culture within the schools; and through leveraging external resources available through affiliated nonprofit and for-profit organizations. In order to achieve these high rates of college enrollment, the schools used purposeful college enrollment strategies to positively impact rates of college attendance (Bettinger et al., 2007; Engberg & Wolniak, 2010, p. 27; Gladieux, 2004; Hill, 2008; Holland & Farmer-Hinton, 2009; McDonough, 1997; Perna et al., 2008a; Terenzini, Cabrera, & Bernal, 2001). These college enrollment strategies emphasized student attendance at higher education institutions that require low out-of-pocket costs. Findings suggest an important relationship between school-based college enrollment strategies and college enrollment outcomes.