In this fresh and plainspoken book, admissions professional Bill Mayher demystifies the college application process, guiding students and parents through this too often anxiety-filled ritual. He covers practical issues, including discovering colleges, narrowing down the search, finding financial aid, and using college counselors to the best advantage. And he deals with the emotional issues, since this is a time of transition and growth for the whole family. Finally, he makes it clear that the best college choice is not simply the school that is the most difficult to get into.