Contents

THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT…

Acknowledgments

Author's Note

Introduction

1: The Target Audience

2: The Timetable Through High School: Is Kindergarten Too Early?

3: Early-Decision and Early-Action Policies

4: The New SAT I and Recentering

5: The Importance of the SAT II Subject Tests

6: The Academic Index (AI)

7: Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Scores

8: The Reading Process

9: A Step-by-Step Look at How Your Application Is Read and a Brief Look at the Common Application

10: A Brief Trip to the Committee

11: Flags and Tags: Athletic Recruiting at the Ivy League Schools

12: Flags and Tags: Legacies

13: Flags and Tags: Special Talents

14: Flags and Tags: Development/VIP Cases

15: Flags and Tags: Faculty and Trustee Recommendations

16: Flags and Tags: Minority Recruiting

17: Summary of All Tip Factors and Geographic Diversity

18: The Postgraduate Year

19: Postacceptance and Beyond

20: The Wait List

21: Communication Among Schools

22: Financial-Aid Implications and International Students

23: Transfer Students

24: Do You Need an Independent Counselor?

25: The Final Rung of the Ladder: Last-Minute Adjustments

26: Conclusion

Appendix

Glossary

ABOUT THE AUTHOR