It is unlawful and would put a shameful stain on our Constitution, if any school were to deny admittance based on color, religion, national origin or race. In order to legally and morally throw an application in waste basket, schools must look elsewhere for any reason to reject an applicant. Thus, only way to say no to a qualified applicant is to deem student unacceptable.

For example, a student with a 3.5 GPA, 1875 SAT I, 28 ACT and 200 community service hours, would be unacceptable to Harvard, but would be qualified at University of Miami or Ohio State – but not necessarily acceptable to either school. There is a huge difference between being qualified and being acceptable, and knowing difference makes difference.

The days when college admissions was simply a numbers game are long gone. Knowing how to present a student significantly increases their chances of being accepted at college of their choice. This all-important edge (where it initially counts most), has become an integral part of today’s highly competitive college admissions process.

This is one of a series of articles by college admissions and financial aid expert, Reecy Aresty, based on his book, “Getting Into College And Paying For It!” For further information or to contact him, please visit www.thecollegebook.com.

•A parent whose child was tutored by student

The LOR can also be from a relative with a different last name if above criteria is met, but it should not indicate that it’s from a relative to avoid appearing biased.

For LOR’s not written in English, I recommend English translation be attached and put on top with a preface stating, “For your convenience, following is English translation of attached letter."

The guidance counselors submit all LOR’s originating from high school. Students should be cautioned not to submit any sealed or unsealed LOR’s that they obtain on their own and outside of their school! Any LOR from someone other than a teacher or guidance counselor should be mailed by person who wrote it, not student.

All LOR’s should be addressed as follows:

Date (Be sure to include student’s SS# or School ID number.) [Name of College] [Director’s name if you know it] Director of Admissions [Street or P.O. Box] [City, State, Zip, Zip+4 if available]

RE: Student’s Name

Dear Director: [Unless you know their name]

By following these instructions, students will surely increase their edge – even if they’re a valedictorian! The best students also need an edge because they are competing against other exceptional students! Students with less than exemplary numbers will stand a better chance of being accepted in admissions process with outstanding LOR’s.

Every student needs that all-important edge in every aspect of admissions process. Without outstanding LOR’s, chances of acceptance become proportionally reduced.

This is one of a series of articles by college admissions and financial aid expert, Reecy Aresty, based on his book, “Getting Into College And Paying For It!” For further information or to contact him, please visit www.thecollegebook.com.