College Entry Trickier than Ever: Superior Grades Only First Step, says College Admissions Experts at Road to College.

BOSTON -- "Superior grades are only the first step to gaining admission to a leading college," warns Chuck Hughes in his latest book What It Really Takes to Get into the Ivy League... and Other Highly Selective Colleges (McGraw-Hill). "Even the most outstanding student needs a knowledgeable guide today to walk him or her through every step of this nerve-wracking process."

Steve Pemberton, co-president of Chuck's national Web-based admissions counseling firm Road to College (RTC) adds, "College-bound juniors and seniors face more pressure today than ever before because of a convergence of unprecedented demographic and educational factors. And stretched-thin guidance counselors have less time than ever before to work with them."

The admissions duo explains how this dilemma is "crystallized" in the college search and admissions process where students "must look forward to the future while looking back at their performances and interests."

Though guidance is critical to college entry success, guidance counselors, teachers, and independent consultants often are not up to the task. To maximize admissions coaching effectiveness, they insist that three qualities must be present:

1. Tough Questions

Too few students think through their college search and its implications for the future. As a result, more students today are transferring from their first-choice school because of wrong fit. Tough questions must be asked about career aspirations, about college fit and about long-term plans. Coaches who challenge students and parents to think through all the possibilities will typically identify those schools that reflect a student's true interests and talents.

2. Admissions Know-How

Be sure your coach is an experienced professional who knows the admissions process cold. Those who regularly converse with colleges and universities about their enrollment goals will be most effective. The process has changed dramatically in the past ten years.

3. Enough Time Available

Guidance counselors' workloads increase exponentially as school systems lose the struggle to hire enough of them. In response, many families now retain independent coaches to help with the college search process. These private counselors can devote as much time as the student needs, so that students and parents who choose this route make the best of their "one chance" to succeed this critical process.

So what does it take beyond great grades to get into the college of your dreams?

To find out, arrange an interview or bylined article with author Chuck Hughes and/or RTC's

Road To College is a premier Web-based college consulting service offering personalized college preparation solutions to students and parents with the goal of providing parents and students access to affordable college counseling services.

Click http://www.roadtocollege.com/