The media communicates the existence of two distinct types of college applicants: the frenzied, overachieving, anxious student who applies to many institutions, and the underprepared, less advantaged student whose parents are not at all familiar with the application process. The purpose of this study is to more realistically describe distinct groups of college applicants by creating clusters based on relevant demographic, academic, and aspirational variables. An understanding of these descriptive clusters, comprised of students with similar backgrounds and goals for higher education, is a necessary first step in developing more thoughtful and inclusive college preparation and enrollment management practices. (Contains 6 tables and 3 endnotes.)