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Discusses the need for better college counseling in public high schools throughout the United States. Lack of understanding of students about the college admissions process; Common misconceptions of students' parents about the college search process; Dubious value of `The Gourman Report,' a guide published by the Princeton Review; Superficiality of recommendations that guidance counselors write for students; Steps that can be taken.

This article focuses on the role of provost C. L. Max Nikias of the University of Southern California (USC) and his office in the hiring of minority professors at the university. Soon after becoming provost, Mr. Nikias began a universitywide effort to diversify the faculty by hiring both female and minority faculty members in disciplines in which they were underrepresented. On a case-by-case basis, the provost's office will do what it takes, within reason, to persuade established faculty members to come to USC. In less than a year, the provost's program has attracted seven black and Hispanic faculty members. The experiences of some of these new professors are mentioned.

This article focuses on the organization, Women in Science and Engineering (WISE), which helps hire more female professors in the sciences and engineering and helps women at all stages of their academic careers. University of Southern California professor Jean Morrison directs the organization. WISE offers research grants to female undergraduates and child-care subsidies for graduate students and faculty members who use the university's child-care center. The organization also helps pay the salaries of about six postdoctoral students. Female faculty members who have been helped by WISE discuss their experiences.

This article examines the efforts of Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky to identify and recruit particular groups of students for admission. The university focuses on students in metropolitan areas that are within a six-hour drive or a short plane ride from Louisville. Bellarmine's recruiting results are attributable to a blend of aggressive marketing, personalized attention, and effective use of institutional grant money. Bellarmine uses merit scholarships ranging from $7,500 to $10,000 to attract outstanding students.

This article offers anecdotes about the college search and admission process in the U.S. Student Andrew N. Lazar was surprised when he witnessed a pseudo-kidnapping while visiting a campus. A tour of Swarthmore College has encountered a helicopter parent, the term used for as mothers and fathers who hover above the admissions process. There are also parents who think bribery is the key to ensuring success.

This article examines the efforts of DePauw University to identify and recruit particular group of students for admission. In 2005 DePauw enrolled just over 130 black students, almost 70 Hispanic ones, and about 50 Asian-Americans. DePauw has worked hard to overcome its geographic handicap. As part of its effort to diversify, DePauw has substantially increased the number of minority faculty members, from six in 1989 to 36 in 2006. These faculty members often serve as mentors to minority students.

Comments on the annual college rankings published in the `U.S. News & World Report.' The colleges' anticipation of the rankings; How the rankings influence students; Objections to ranking colleges; Reactions of alumni to the rankings; Rankings' effect on possible donors.