A 12-step plan for investigating colleges and making college choices is presented for college applicants. In addition to information on selective college admissions, the 12 chapters cover the following steps: knowing admission requirements and procedures, determining the student's strengths, following a demanding curriculum, taking advantage of college board test requirements, excelling in a particular endeavor, knowing the colleges, making the most of campus visits, finding one's place in the class pie charts, writing an exciting essay, planning selective college finances, marketing strengths, and enrolling in the right college. Information for foreign applicants to selective colleges is included. Materials that are provided to help the college applicant include: student and parent questionnaires to assess the student's strengths, an admission requirements worksheet, a list of selective colleges, a timetable beginning in the junior year for the college applicant, courses to take in grades 9-12 for selective college admission, a college visit summary sheet, a financial worksheet, and an admission decisions questionnaire. (SW)