• Precollege counseling. A good precollege counselor can be a powerful ally, not only when it comes time to complete applications, but also at the beginning of the process, years earlier. This article outlines some of the roles of the precollege counselor and suggests ways you can work most effectively together.



• Choosing the right college. What's right for any one student depends on the student's goals, abilities, maturity, and personal preferences. Someone who thrives on philosophical discussion needs a school with a particular intellectual atmosphere. Some students feel lost on a large campus; others like the variety and relative anonymity. This article presents a list of potentially important characteristics and suggests sources of information about different schools.



• Affording college. College is expensive, and costs are rising, but there is also a lot of financial help available. This article gives an overview of the process and introduces major sources of aid. A companion article points to some of the more helpful--and free--online resources.



• Preparing for tests. Test taking is a stumbling block and a cause for concern for many students. This article reviews the main tests, explains how colleges use the scores, and suggests various ways that parents can help their teen get ready.



• The application procedure. Do college admissions officers really read every word of those essays that many students agonize over? How much help should you offer your teen? And what about the increasing number of students who use pricey consultants?



• Handling college separation. The end of a successful college application process is just the beginning of the bigger challenge--college itself. For many parents and children, one of the hardest parts of starting college is getting used to living far apart. A common-sense approach, and some specific coping techniques, can make this transition less trying for everyone involved.

• College issues

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