Includes bibliographical references and index.

How colleges admit students: anatomy of an admission decision -- College exploration: getting off on the right foot -- A calendar of exploration, decision-making, and application tasks -- The first step: taking a look at you -- Mounting a search: getting answers to your college questions ; High school course selection: relevance to college admission -- Learning about college options: getting the best information -- Using the internet to explore and apply to colleges -- Making the most of the college fair experience -- Campus visits: getting ready to go -- Campus visits: being there and afterward -- Admission plans: modes of admission access -- Degree of difficulty: understanding the admission competition -- Admission tests: how they are used and strategies for preparation -- Admission essays: putting forth your best effort -- Narrowing options: deciding where to apply -- The college application: making it work for you -- Understanding college costs -- Types and sources of student financial aid -- Making financial aid forms work for you -- After the application: what happens next? -- Off to college: getting ready for your first year -- Parents and the high school to college transition -- Educational success: how counselors can help you -- School to college: counselors as your allies -- Learning from the experts: reflections of veteran deans and directors of admission -- Some closing words about expectations.