For parents who want to be fully informed about essential information that high school students need to know in order to plan for, apply to, and be successful in college, this guide details all stages of the process. It explains the terminology, policies, and procedures for successful college application, and will empower parents to manage their relationship with school counselors and admissions officers. Timelines and charts for teens at different points in the college search process, sample college admissions essays, and practical advice from parents and teens who have negotiated the process provide detailed steps--from what classes a teen should take in high school to managing personal finances once in college--guide parents and prospective college students toward successful college admission. Additional information for many different types of students and groups of families, including athletes, first-generation applicants, students with disabilities, minority students, and students interested in the visual and performing arts, plus appendices with sample thank-you letters, resumes, a self-evaluation, and a complete admissions checklist, make this a comprehensive one-stop resource for finding the perfect college.