College admissions officers rely heavily on recommendation letters in order to distinguish among qualified students. Advises high school advisors to view themselves as anthropologists in the field, observing and carefully documenting seniors' participation and personality from an objective rather than subjective standpoint. (JPS)

Asserts that no one can be certain whether a particular student will be accepted into their college/university of choice. Acknowledges anxiety and lack of control felt by prospective students and their parents. Recommends prospective students' families view the college search as an educational decision-making process. (CM)

Discusses high school seniors' apathy and unruliness prior to graduation and suggests ways to combat these behaviors. Profiles an independent study program adopted by one school as a remedy and which expanded seniors' perceptions of how they learn while uniting the senior class in the latter months of school. (RJM)

Discusses what is wrong with encouraging high school students to apply to their dream school as a college choice when they have no real chance of being accepted. Contends that concentrating on an unrealistic dream school steals away serious exploration of all other colleges. Suggests ways that college advisors can burst the bubble of the "dream…