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| Introduction: How This Book Came to Be-and What It's For | |
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| Take a Deep Breath: The Ground Rules for Parents | |
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| Relax: It's Only College | |
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| Stress Is a Killjoy | |
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| There's Involvement ... and There's Overinvolvement | |
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| It's Not Where You Go, It's Who You Are | |
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| You Know You'll Still Love Them, Wherever They Go | |
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| Anxiety Loves Company | |
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| Freak-Out Moments Are Okay | |
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| Look on the Bright Side | |
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| College Planning Means More Family Togetherness | |
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| You Can Let Go of "I Didn't Homeschool" Guilt | |
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| Obstacles Have Merit | |
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| The System Could Actually Be Worse | |
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| The SAT Could Actually Be Worse | |
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| At Least They Played Musical Chairs | |
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| Flash Card: It's All About Vocabulary-the "A" Words | |
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| Don't Believe the Hype: The Admissions Game | |
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| College Rankings Don't Lie, They Mislead | |
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| Not All Invitations Are Inviting | |
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| A Caltech Reality Check | |
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| They Don't Have to Reach for the Stars | |
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| Some Bloom Later | |
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| Every Good College Is Full of Rejects | |
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| Accept That the Process Is Flawed | |
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| Harvard's for Slackers | |
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| Chances Are, They'll Get In | |
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| Flash Card: It's All About Vocabulary-the "P" Words | |
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| College Matchmaking | |
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| It's Good to Get Engaged ... | |
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| ... But a Wedding Is Not a Marriage | |
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| Trophy Schools Are Like Trophy Wives | |
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| Don't Follow the Crowd | |
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| Ask What Your College Can Do for You | |
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| Look on the Sunny Side | |
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| Think Globally | |
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| Consider Opting Out | |
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| Let the Shoe Fit (A Fairy Tale) | |
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| Testing, Testing, SAT | |
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| SATs Don't Stand the Test of Time | |
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| Endurance Counts ... or Should | |
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| Intelligence Is More Than a Quotient | |
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| Test-Prep Tactics: Don't Be Shocked | |
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| Timing Isn't Everything | |
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| Breathe | |
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| Sleep on It | |
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| The New SAT Didn't Kill Anyone | |
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| Flash Card: It's All About Vocabulary-the "S" Words | |
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| Activities Are Supposed to Be Fun | |
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| Admissions Fads Come and Go | |
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| He Who Fences May Miss the Point | |
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| Summer Sucking-Up Not Required | |
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| Don't Call It Camp | |
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| Admissions Officers Are Smarter Than You Think | |
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| Essays Don't Have to Be Perfect | |
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| Meaning of Life Not Required | |
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| Honesty Is the Best Policy | |
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| Nobody Likes a Whiner | |
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| Save Something for Oprah | |
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| One Can Be Too Politically Correct | |
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| Imperfection Is Better | |
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| Flash Card: It's All About Vocabulary-the "O" Words | |
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| Procrastination Happens: The Application | |
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| Apply to Fewer Schools | |
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| A Calendar Is an Anti-Nag Device | |
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| Expect Procrastination | |
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| Murphy Wasn't Kidding ... So Be Prepared | |
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| Take Advantage of Rolling Admissions | |
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| Don't Send Props | |
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| Send Videotapes with Caution | |
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| Anxiety Can Make You Careless | |
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| Resist the Urge to Write a Clever Letter | |
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| Flash Card: It's All About Vocabulary-the "U" Words | |
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| Going on Tour | |
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| Reach Out and Touch Someone (But Don't Poke Them in the Eye) | |
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| The Chauffeur's Creed | |
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| You Never Know Who You're Talking To | |
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| Some Things Only a Parent Can Say | |
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| Silence Is Golden, Sometimes Platinum | |
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| Body Language Says a Lot | |
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| Some Things Are Skin Deep | |
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| It's an Investment, Right? The Financials | |
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| Classroom Customers Care | |
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| Work-Study Reaps Rewards | |
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| Kindness Pays | |
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| Consider the "C" Words | |
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| College Costs Are Relative | |
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| Flash Card: It's All About Vocabulary-the "T" Words | |
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| And the Envelope, Please ... | |
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| Whose Mail Is It, Anyway? | |
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| Acceptance Takes Time to Accept | |
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| Whatever Happens, Celebrate | |
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| On the Wait List? Eat a Strawberry | |
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| Sometimes Doing Nothing Is Something | |
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| You Can't Take It Personally | |
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| Good Learners Learn Anywhere | |
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| Rejection Has Upsides | |
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| Why Ask Why? | |
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| Appeals Are Not So Appealing | |
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| Remember Hamilton's Revenge | |
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| Luck Is Dumb, Your Kid Is Not | |
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| Don't Rain on Anyone's Parade | |
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| Take a Quantum Leap | |
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| Be Happy for Them | |
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| It's Never Too Late | |
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| They Did It ... You Helped | |
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| Flash Card: It's All About Vocabulary-the "Q" Words | |
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| There They Go ... for Now | |
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| Senioritis Happens | |
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| Think About a Time-Out | |
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| College Education Begins at Home | |
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| Less Stress Now, Less Stress Later | |
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| Distance Is Relative | |
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| Fewer Walk on the Wild Side | |
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| A Mind Is a Wonderful Thing to Change | |
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| There's Always Grad School | |
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| Bragging Rights Never Expire | |
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| They Will Come Home Again | |
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| Extra Credit | |
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| Enjoy Your Life | |
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| The Ultimate Acceptance Letter | |
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| Crib Sheet | |
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| Afterword | |