This work uses original survey and interview data collected from 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 public high school valedictorians in five states to pinpoint when, why, and how similarly accomplished youth become funneled toward different college destinations. To answer this question, a new and enhanced framework for studying students' choice of institution was developed. This framework, called the college destination process, identifies six stages in students' paths: predisposition, preparation, exploration, application, admissions, and matriculation. Each stage is explored in its own chapter with special attention given to differences by gender, race, and social class. The results reveal that valedictorians' application decisions, followed secondarily by their matriculation decisions, most affect the type of college they attend. Valedictorians' application and matriculation decisions are shaped primarily by conclusions and preferences developed during the exploration stage. The implications of these findings are discussed. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]