Advice is provided to parents about how to help their teenagers through the college application admissions process. Parents learn how much to get involved, where to go for the right information, what kind of questions to ask, how to get financial aid, and what timetable to use for every stage in the process of going to college. Fifteen sections look at the following topics: is the child college bound for the right reasons; starting the countdown to college; the importance of high school coursework; how to make the right college choice; the differences between the big university and small college; what the child should know about college recruitment strategies; all about admissions tests; a word about special students (athletes, minorities, and the disabled); applications that open doors; an explanation of the admissions committee; information on financial aid; getting accepted and accepting denial; arranging for housing (dorms, coops, and fraternities); helping the child with separation anxiety; and the freshman at college. A glossary of important terms is provided. Three appendices are: 50 college summer programs for high school students; a list of Phi Beta Kappa colleges; and what to take to college. (SM)