2Updated March 2016. All too often, trying to help students prepare for, select, and be accepted into the right college or university feels a bit like a roll of the dice . . . plain old luck. Instead, allow The College Advising Handbook to assist you in getting a handle on the process. This short handbook covers the following subjects: - Helping your college-bound kid - Deciding on a college - Preparing for a college in 11th grade - Preparing for a college in 12th grade - Deadline checklist for juniors and seniors - Researching colleges - What colleges actually want - Checklists for visiting and interviewing colleges - Early Decision programs - Preparation for standardized testing - Writing and submitting your college applications - Financial aid and scholarships and much more