| Streamline the College Selection Process and Get the Best Financial Aid | p. iii |
| Introduction | p. vii |
| High School Classes and Tests: The First Steps Toward the Best College for You | p. 1 |
| Where Do You Start? | p. 1 |
| What About Your Schedule? | p. 9 |
| What Should You Do During Your Freshman Year? | p. 15 |
| What Should You Do During Your Sophomore Year? | p. 21 |
| What Should You Do During Your Junior Year? | p. 27 |
| What Should You Do Before Your Senior Year? | p. 33 |
| What Should You Do During Your Senior Year? | p. 38 |
| What Are AP and IB Classes? | p. 45 |
| Should You Earn College Credits in High School? | p. 50 |
| How Are the ACT and SAT Different? | p. 56 |
| Should You Take the PSAT, ACT, SAT, or ASVAB? | p. 63 |
| How Can You Improve your Chances of Doing Well on the ACT or SAT? | p. 70 |
| Are Standardized Tests Fading in Importance? | p. 76 |
| What Are Some Test-Taking Strategies? | p. 83 |
| How Can Parents Help Hight School Students in the College Preparation Process? | p. 88 |
| Starting the Search for the Best College for You | p. 96 |
| Who Can Be Successful in College? | p. 97 |
| What Are College Looking for in a Student? | p. 102 |
| What Are the Best Choices for You? | p. 108 |
| How Do Your Begin Selecting a College? | p. 114 |
| What Are the Differences Among Junior Colleges, State Universities, and Private Colleges? | p. 119 |
| Do You Want to Attend College in Your Home State? | p. 125 |
| What Are the Levels of Colleges? | p. 129 |
| What Is the Timeline for a College Search? | p. 135 |
| What Can You Learn from College Guides? | p. 142 |
| What Are Some Important Details to Learn About a College? | p. 148 |
| What Are Seven Reasons to Not Pick a College? | p. 154 |
| What Is the Role of the Counselor? | p. 159 |
| What Are Some Trends in College Admissions? | p. 165 |
| How Can You Get a Good Letter of Recommendation? | p. 170 |
| What Are the Most Popular College Majors? | p. 176 |
| What If You Have a Learning Disability? | p. 182 |
| College Visits: A Key Step in Finding the Best School for You | p. 188 |
| When Should You Visit Colleges? | p. 189 |
| Which Colleges Should You Visit First? | p. 193 |
| What Should You Look for on a College Visit? | p. 198 |
| What Should You Look for in Housing and the Cafeteria? | p. 203 |
| What Should You Do at a College Interview? | p. 206 |
| What Are Some Recent Changes on Campus? | p. 211 |
| What Can You Learn from Viewbooks, Brochures, and Magazines? | p. 215 |
| What Is a College Catalog and How Should You Best Use It? | p. 218 |
| Applying to the Best Colleges for You | p. 222 |
| How and When Do You Choose a Major? | p. 223 |
| What Are Some Sources to Help You Decide on a Major? | p. 226 |
| Why Should You Apply Early and Often? | p. 231 |
| How Can You Increase Your Chances of Acceptance? | p. 237 |
| When Would You Use a Resume? | p. 241 |
| How Should You Organize Your Resume? | p. 245 |
| Where Are You Most Likely to Get a Scholarship? | p. 250 |
| What Are Some Common Mistakes Made in Searching for a College? | p. 254 |
| Are You a Candidate for a Military Academy? | p. 261 |
| What Are Early Action, Early Decision, and Regular Admission? | p. 266 |
| How Can You Prepare for Writing Essays? | p. 271 |
| When and Why Will You Be Writing Essays? | p. 275 |
| What Do Colleges Want to See in Essays? | p. 278 |
| How You Can Afford the Best College for You | p. 283 |
| How Can You Save Money for College? | p. 284 |
| Can You Afford College? | p. 290 |
| What Are Scholarships, Grants, Financial Aid, Loans, and Work-Study? | p. 294 |
| Where Can You Find Scholarships? | p. 299 |
| Should You Attend a Scholarship Weekend? | p. 304 |
| How Are Scholarships Applied to College Costs? | p. 307 |
| Are There Guaranteed Scholarships? | p. 310 |
| How Can an Athlete Obtain a Scholarship? | p. 313 |
| Can Arrests Affect Your College Opportunities? | p. 317 |
| Are Three Other Ways to Lose Scholarships? | p. 321 |
| How Can You Increase Your Chances for Receiving a Good Financial Aid Package? | p. 327 |
| What Are the Differences Among Student Loans? | p. 333 |
| What Should You Know About the FAFSA? | p. 337 |
| What Is an EFC? | p. 342 |
| What Is an Award Letter? | p. 347 |
| Which Award Letter Is Best? | p. 353 |
| What Do You Need to Fill Out the FAFSA? | p. 357 |
| Why Is the Timing of the FAFSA Filing Important? | p. 361 |
| How Can Enlisting in the Military Help You Pay for College? | p. 365 |
| What Are Some College Scams to Watch For? | p. 369 |
| Appendix: Using the Best College for You CD-ROM | p. 372 |
| Index | p. 375 |