Top colleges aren’t just for the rich

http://www.savingforcollege.com/articles/dont-let-your-budget-keep-your-child-from-a-top-school-992

Earning a college degree is one of the first steps toward achieving the American Dream of prosperity and success. Yet rising tuition costs and strict admission requirements at some of the nation's top schools are putting this dream out of reach for many families. In her new book, "Achieve the College Dream", Maria Carla Chicuen offers advice for students with limited resources on how they can overcome these obstacles and go on to graduate from a prestigious university.

As a first generation college student, Cuban immigrant and Harvard alum, Chicuen understands firsthand what it's like to break into the Ivy League against all odds. She moved to the United States from Havana when she was a teenager, and has been helping immigrant students pursue higher education ever since.

After earning a bachelor's degree with high honors from Harvard University and a master's degree from the London School of Economics, Chicuen began her career as a consultant for the Education Center for the World Bank in Washington, D.C. She currently handles special projects for the office of the president of Miami Dade College in Florida, and continues to help students pave the path to higher education through her writing and speaking engagements.

"Achieve the College Dream" is an excellent resource for students who perform well academically, but are hesitant to apply to top colleges because of their economic and social background. Chicuen reminds these students that schools like Harvard, Princeton and Yale actively look for exceptional candidates, regardless of their financial situation. In fact, schools like these typically offer generous need-based financial aid packages so that all eligible students are able to attend.

• The book encompasses all stages of the college planning process:
• Building a scholarship resume
• Preparing for standardized exams
• Developing leadership skills
• Seeking mentorship
• Finding the right school
• Applying for financial aid

Through stories of her real-life personal struggles and accomplishments, Chicuen proves to her readers that a degree from a top university can be an attainable goal, even for those with limited means.

Order today and receive 20 percent off your purchase of "Achieve the College Dream" by visiting the book's website and using the coupon code RLEGEN17.

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