Two expert college admissions consultants—a mother-daughter team—share their step-by-step, proven strategy for creating an application that stands out and gets you IN! Lillian Luterman and Jennifer Bloom have been helping high school students get into choice schools for more than twenty years. For each student, their method is based on a simple concept: “be alike but spike.” Ironically, it’s often the “well-rounded student,” an ideal many applicants strive for, who gets rejected. This book shows students how to create an individual distinction by identifying a passion and “layering” it—showcasing their interest in many different ways. While guiding students through every step in the application process, this book is enlivened with instructive case studies, charts and checklists, sidebars for parents, and New Yorker cartoons. And unlike most books about “getting in,” In!’s lessons do not end at college acceptance. Luterman and Bloom present the admissions process as an opportunity for students to mature, expand their horizons, and discover what makes them tick. This book gets students in, and gives them the tools and confidence they will need for future success. “Be Alike”—How to optimize your GPA, standardized tests, extracurricular activities, and more. “Spike”—How to develop a unique area of distinction that makes you stand out from your peers. How to create a winning college application—including personal essays, activity chart, letters of recommendation, and more. How to choose the right college for YOU, and how to prepare to attend, and afford, your top-choice school.