Imagine a world in which we Muggles would be competing with the boy wizard and his friends seeking a post-Hogwarts education. Don’t tell J. K. Rowling we have the idea for a way to continue the series – a book that fills in the years with Harry, Hermione and Ron as college students in the U.S.!

With “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1” in theaters on Friday, it made me wonder what all three could have focused on as their strengths during the college admissions process.

So take a brief break from the stress of your college applications and consider how their strengths could help you determine what you want to focus on in your application and essay.

Harry Potter

Harry (portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe) could easily focus his admissions essay on the loss of his parents at such an early age – and being pursued by the Dark Lord for years afterward. But let’s look beyond those facts and think about what it took for Harry to handle those circumstances in his life: he’s a natural born leader, as seen during his time in Hogwarts; he’s had to deal with fame and celebrity as a teenager, though he doubted himself amid the expectations of others; and he has used his quick-thinking skills to keep himself and (most of) his friends safe. If I were him, I would leave out the stuff about his temper, though. He also could share with admissions folks how Professor Dumbledore was the perfect mentor and how he needs that same type of mentor as a college student, too.

Hermione Granger

This bossy brainiac’s (portrayed by now-Brown University student Emma Watson) high test scores would probably catch the eye of admissions officials at any school, but we all know applicants need more than book smarts. Even Rowling once described her as “borderline genius.” The amazing thing is how she turned her innate knowledge of the wizarding world to help Harry and others, which again would make for an interesting admissions essay. It’s not enough to just know how to perform the spells, but she could discuss the situations in which she used them and how they prevailed for good, when so many others used them for evil. The wizarding world may not have what we think of as community service, but Hermione could capture people’s attention, too, because of her compassion for the House-Elves and others who are oppressed.

Ron Weasley

Ron (portrayed by Rupert Grint) could focus on his admissions essay on what he learned about himself on the way to becoming a Quidditch star, which would show his school spirit beyond his repeated scowls for getting hand-me-down robes, sweaters, brooms, and pets over the years. Or, he could talk about being in the shadow of older brothers–something that might resonate with many a college-bound student. But instead, he’s the perfect example of doing anything for a friend, as he and Hermione were so vital in searching for the missing Horcruxes and destroying them so Harry could kill Voldemort.

And don’t worry, although the college admissions staff may seem to hold your future in their hands, it’s nothing like Harry having to face He Who Must Not Be Named.

–Lori Johnston

I’ve been noticing more and more college students updating Facebook by letting their friends know whether they’re at a local Mexican restaurant, a certain campus building, or elsewhere around town.

It turns out that one college is promoting the use of Facebook Places on campus, and it’s not just because it wants friends to hang out together.

Instead, the University of Kentucky wants students to check in to spots on campus in hopes that the name of the school will keep popping up on the Facebook news feeds of friends and family members in high schools, a school official told Advertising Age. The school has placed wooden pointer signs, resembling the tab in the Facebook Places logo, on campus to encourage students to check in.

The school’s Facebook Places info page also focuses on how it wants to protect students’ privacy and shows students how to adjust their settings to that only friends know. The privacy issue has some students and even groups like the ACLU concerned, however.

University of Kentucky student Kelsey Hayes, vice president of the student body, says: “I think the way UK is promoting Places is pretty cool. It’s unique, and it will hopefully get students, especially freshmen and those new to campus, to engage with each other. It’s also a great way to help get them acquainted with campus.”

You have to give University of Kentucky credit for noticing another Facebook trend and trying to use it to reach out to potential students. The main question is: Will seeing a school’s name on your Facebook news feed make you more curious about the university of college?

–Lori Johnston

Have you ever felt like the more advice you get about the elusive college admission essay, the more stressed out you become? I don’t know about you, but poring over books of successful essays from Ivy League schools just makes me feel inadequate. So don’t think of this post as advice – consider it a psych-up session to start writing your essay!

First, a few don’ts:

• DON’T write about the big game. It’s been done, done again, and then WAY overdone.
• DON’T thesaurusize (yes, it’s a word – check your Urban Dictionary).
• DON’T go on and on and on and on. We got the point five run-on sentences ago.
• DON’T use clichés. Sound like a plan?
• DON’T forget who will be reading your essay. Save words like “cool” and “wack” for your dawgs.

Now that we’ve gotten the negative instructions out of the way, let’s talk about choosing a topic. If you’ve experienced a personal tragedy that you feel comfortable sharing and that allows readers to get to know you, by all means write about it. Sometimes the most interesting essays are based on a personal struggle or challenge that you have overcome or are in the process of overcoming. If your life has been tragedy-free up to this point, consider yourself lucky and choose another theme that illustrates your personality. Something as simple as an object, a conversation, or an event that has affected you can make surprisingly good reading.

Once you’ve chosen a topic, start writing, and keep it specific. Whether you’re describing your old teddy bear, your crazy family dinners, or a tree you love to climb, concentrate on the details. The more specific you make your essay (e.g., not your love for the whole animal kingdom, but that special horse you connected with one summer), the more compelling it will be. Think small moments.

Make your essay a judgment-free zone. Admissions officers don’t want to read a negative, cynical personal statement. Take responsibility for your actions and don’t blame others for your misfortunes. That doesn’t mean you have to sugarcoat difficult events in your life – just find a way to be honest and keep your tone positive. If you’ve got to rant, get a diary.

And sometimes, you just need to remember to KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid. The more you stress about this essay, the scarier it will become. The KISS principle is a reminder to pick a direction and just start moving. Even writing a couple of sentences one day can be enough to get you started and help you feel less overwhelmed.

You don’t have to be a brainiac to write a good admission essay; you just have to be you. So stop procrastinating. Get started!

-Robyn Tellefsen

You may be counting down the days until you head off to college (even though you don’t know where you’re going yet), but one huge thing I learned as a college student was that it was up to me to survive.

Mom wasn’t there to do my laundry, although I tried to always bring it home and hold off on using the dorm washer and dryer until I had nothing left to wear. I had to learn to clean up after myself and my roommate, who sometimes left dirty dishes in the sink for days. I had to wake up early and get myself to class and work on time, whether by driving, walking, or taking the bus.

So it’s interesting to see a recent Associated Press story titled, “Are You Raising a Generation of Nincompoops?” make that point of calling out “college kids who’ve never done laundry, taken a bus alone or addressed an envelope.” If any of this is new to you, ask your parents or friends now to help you get used to being on your own when away at school. They want to help, and some realize that it’s not all your fault.

Diane N. Quintana, author of Flying Solo: A Guide to Organizing Your Home When You Leave Your Parents’ Nest, writes: “I have found that while [my children] have lived in an organized and well-thought-out household, they were clueless as to how to set themselves up,” she writes. “Then I realized much of the problem was of my own creation. You see, this generation has had so much done for them.”

The Atlanta-based certified professional organizer recommends four things students can start to do this year to get ready for college life.

1. Spend an hour on the weekend thinking ahead. This short-term planning for the next week could include jotting down appointments you have, errands you need to run, special events you want to attend, and even chores, such as laundry and dusting, that have to get done. Knowing what absolutely has to be done in the coming week will help you figure out how to do them at convenient times, Quintana says.

2. Create an emergency card. That small item in your wallet or purse should include essential details such as any allergies you might have, doctors’ names and phone numbers, major surgeries you have had, contact numbers for you and your family, and a list of prescriptions and vitamins you take.

3. Discuss chores and expenses with your roommate. This is a step you can do well in advance, if you’re planning on living with a best friend or high school classmate. You’ll want to divide the chores and expenses, so make sure you know how to handle the chores you’ve agreed to do.

4. Keep track of your food. We’re not talking about making sure your roommate doesn’t drink the last of your milk (bought with your money), but making sure you’re not keeping outdated items in the refrigerator. If the date isn’t written on the item, use a permanent marker to note when it was opened on the bottom of cartons, bottles, jars, cans, and other items. Referring to a food storage chart can keep you from getting yourself sick at school, too.

What other ways do you feel unprepared for college? How can CBN help you figure it out? Leave us a comment below or tweet us at @CollegeBoundNet.

–Lori Johnston

When you’re bringing up names of potential colleges, one of the first questions your parents ask may be, “How much does it cost?” Or if you know you’re responsible for paying for your own college education, you already may be used to looking at the tuition, room and board, and other fees first.

Even if you did a lot of research last year, with the cost of tuition rising every year, it’s worth taking another look to make sure the schools on your list are ones you still can afford, or if scholarships and loans will cover you. It can be heartbreaking if you have had your heart set on a school (Princeton was my dream school as a kid) and realize that the cost of attending an Ivy League or private college is too expensive.

Although public universities have had to raise tuition, it’s still cheaper to attend a state school. Public four-year colleges charge, on average, $7,000 per year in tuition and fees for in-state students ($11,500 for out-of-state), compared to $26,000 per year in tuition and fees at private four-year colleges charge, according to College Board data.

Some public universities combine superb academic programs with low cost, says Edward Fiske, author of the Fiske Guide to Getting into the Right College (August 2010-Sourcebooks). So he’s come up with his “Budget Ivy League” list.

Which schools made Fiske’s list this year? Here’s a look, by region, with reasons they caught his eye:

SOUTHWEST

University of Arizona: Best value for out-of-state students with strong engineering and honors programs, plus appeal for outdoor enthusiasts.

University of Texas-Austin: Remains one of the cheapest major universities in the country with a focus on business, engineering, and Latin American studies.

NORTHWEST

University of Oregon: May be the best deal in public higher education on the West Coast with noted liberal arts, business, and communications programs, plus a manageable size in a great location.

University of Washington: The Pacific Northwest’s leading research university is strong in pre-professional studies; remains tough for out-of-state admission.

MIDWEST

University of Iowa: A bargain compared with other Big Ten schools and is world-famous for its creative writing program.

Miami University (Ohio): Gives the impression of an elite private university with a strong business program.

NORTHEAST

The College of New Jersey (formerly Trenton State University): Former teacher’s college that has remade itself into a selective university stressing the liberal arts, business, and accounting, and is a perennial pick in the “best buys” category.

College of William and Mary: The original public Ivy with strong history, government, and international studies departments.

SOUTHEAST

Florida State University: One of the best film schools in the country.

University of Georgia: The HOPE Scholarship gives in-state students with a 3.0 GPA free tuition, and the school boasts strong business and journalism programs (along with the quintessential college town of Athens).

If you are gravitating to a school because of its scholarship offerings, definitely do your research about the program and the continued availability of free money for college. For example, changes are likely to be made to the popular HOPE Scholarship in Georgia, which benefits more than 200,000 annually, because of dwindling funds.

Reason No. 3,457 that I love Oprah Winfrey: She’s taking a group of students from her Leadership Academy in South Africa on college visits in the U.S. this fall.

Oprah is known for generosity and her interest in helping young woman achieve their potential. Building a school was enough proof of her dedication, but the fact that Oprah is actually going to take her students on campus tours at some top universities in New York, Boston, and Chicago is taking that commitment a giant step further. (Lucky tour guides!)

If you happen to see Oprah and Co. on your campus, please snap a picture and put it up on our Facebook page. Better yet, grab a Flip cam and try to get her to say the name of your college the way she introduces guests on her show, as in JOHNNNN TRAVOLTAAAAAH.

–Barbara Bellesi

At CBN, we’re always on the lookout for information that can help you better sort through the college application process, and for many of you, that means dealing with your SAT and ACT scores. FairTest, the National Center for Fair & Open Testing, is one place to head to for information, even before taking your college entrance exams.

One of the things the organization does is keep track of colleges with “test optional” policies. More than 840 accredited, bachelor-degree granting institutions do not require all or many applicants to submit test scores for admissions, according to FairTest.

Bob Schaeffer, Public Education Director for FairTest, says: “You don’t have to take any test at all if you apply to test-optional colleges.” FairTest has identified these schools that this year made it optional to include the SAT and ACT scores for admission.

• St. Michael’s College

• St. Anselm College

• Southern New Hampshire University

• Marist College

• Manhattanville College

• Colorado College (“Flexible Testing” policy)

• American University (for all who apply by Nov. 1)

• Wagner College

See if the schools you’re considered are on the list.

Schools with “Test Optional” admissions policies also are in the top tier of U.S. News & World Report’s list of best national liberal arts colleges released earlier in August. Those schools include:

• Middlebury College* (Ranked 4)

• Bowdoin College (Ranked 6)

• Smith College (Ranked 14)

• Hamilton College* (Ranked 18)

• Bates College (Ranked 21)

• Colby College (Ranked 23)

• Colorado College* (Ranked 23)

• Mount Holyoke College (Ranked 26)

• Bryn Mawr* (Ranked 30)

*Test flexible policy

Let us know if you have applied to a test-optional school or if any of them are on the list of schools you’re applying to this year.

–Lori Johnston

Your first college test may be happening soon, even this week. You may feel as if you didn’t get enough time to study, or you’re worried that the exam will be so completely different than anything you’ve taken. But if you’re acting chill leading up to text day because you think you learned in high school how to bluff your way to an A, think again.

Professors, especially those with tenure who have years of experience, can quickly spot a blunder or bluff.Check out the examples of these real test answers, which we were given permission to use from “College in a Nutskull” (2010, Workman Publishing) by Andres Henrikkson, chairman of the history department at West Virginia’s Shepherd University.

Literature

• Henry V is about a king named Richard III.

• The first major work by an American author is The Holy Bible.

American History

• President Lincoln was shot in his Ford

• The G.I. Bill required all veterans to take medical examinations.

Psychology

• Telepathy is a condition linked by scientists to excess cell phone use.

• Some people do not cope well. This copulation problem can lead to heroin or alcohol abuse. Alcoholism may involve drinking.

Music

• Mozart had to compose his Requiem posthumously.

Political Science

• Socialism is like when you go out with your friends

Geography

• Longitude is like latitude, only longer.

• The United Kingdom is located somewhere out there. It is made up of England, Scotland, and Northern Israel.

Whether you’re new to college or just starting your last year in high school, think about how you’re preparing for your exam. If you try to wing it, your lame guesses could end up in a book for others to read and have a laugh.

–Lori Johnston