Counselors for College Applicants

* I had to chuckle over “A Crash Course for College Candidates” (Dec. 29), which might apply to those going to beauty colleges or concierge preparation. I interviewed students for Harvard several years ago and I can guarantee you that the color of one’s fingernails was not one of the criteria.

Top grades and high SAT scores will never be the sole measure. It takes something else that is unique to fill out one’s application. From my records, the Class of 2000 had 18,190 applications; 365 applicants had perfect scores of 1,600 on the combined SAT. The class of 2000 had an extraordinary range of extracurricular interests, including music, dance, theater, sports, journalism and public service. Only 10.9% of those applying were admitted; 78% of those admitted actually enrolled. Yield, the percentage of admitted candidates who decide to accept, is considered a measure of a college’s competitiveness. For the Class of 2000, the yield, by a wide margin, was the highest of the nation’s selective colleges.

JOHN G. WATKINS

San Juan Capistrano

* I was as elated as Elaine Auyoung when I received my early acceptance from Harvard.

Since my parents could barely afford the college application fee, a private college counselor was out of the question. However, I think a large part of my acceptance is due to the help I sought out from my counselor at school. As a senior at West High School in the cash-strapped Torrance Unified School District, it was hard to get an appointment with my counselor when she has 500-plus other students to take care of. Yet, I made an effort to get all the help I could from her, and she was a valuable asset. I also relied on teachers, family members and friends in college to help fine-tune my application and essays.

Even in overcrowded public schools with limited resources, there are caring adults willing to help; students just have to seek them out. And by the way, I wore purple nail polish to my Harvard interview.

LORRAYNE WARD

Torrance

* Any student who must pay $2,000 to $3,000 for help with the college selection and application process is not ready for college.

CAROL MAY

Los Angeles