By Barb Pytel

This book contains the strategies that private consultants use to guide students successfully into the college that suits them best. If students follow the suggestions in this book, they will get into a college that matches their abilities and interests, as well as save thousands of dollars in tuition.

As a licensed school counselor and private college consultant, author Barb Pytel simplifies the college search process for readers:

• how and when to begin your college search process
  
• how to find your best fit
  
• how to predict where you will be accepted and succeed
  
• how to tip the odds for financial aid in your favor
  
• the mistakes to avoid

While students are eager to go to college, they are rarely proactive in the process, unaware of timelines, and don't know where to start.

The right timing is crucial to getting into the right college and the key to making college affordable. Through questions and answers about the college process, the book covers high school classes and tests, college research, college visits, college interviews, college applications, the best deals for financing, and much more.

The CD-ROM packaged with the book contains convenient worksheets, checklists, timelines, and examples to print out and use during the college search.

Other books and the media focus on the Ivy League schools. Most high school students, however, will not apply for or enter the top schools. This book is written for the typical high school student with a typical family.

416 pages. 6 x 9. Softcover. August 2009.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Part I: High School Classes and Tests: The First Steps Toward the Right College
  1. Where do you start?
     
  2. How does a college schedule differ from high school?
     
  3. What should you do your freshman year in high school?
     
  4. What should you do your sophomore year in high school?
     
  5. What steps should you take in the junior year?
     
  6. What steps should be taken prior to the senior year?
     
  7. What steps should you take in the senior year?
     
  8. What is an official AP and IB class?
     
  9. Can college credit classes in high school be a bad thing?
     
  10. What are ACT and SAT tests?
      
  11. Should you take the PSAT, ACT, ASVAB or SAT?
      
  12. How can you improve chances of doing well on the ACT or SAT?
      
  13. Are standardized tests fading in importance?
      
  14. What are some test-taking strategies?
      
  15. How can parents help high school students in the college preparation process?
• Part II: Starting Your Search for the Right College
  
  16. Who can be successful in college?
      
  17. What are colleges looking for in a student?
      
  18. What are the best college choices for you?
      
  19. How do you begin selecting a college?
      
  20. What are the differences between junior colleges, universities and private colleges?
      
  21. What are some advantages in attending college in a home state?
      
  22. What are the five levels of colleges?
      
  23. What is the timeline for a college search?
      
  24. How can you best use college guides?
      
  25. What are some important details to learn about a college?

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