As more students engage the help of an education consultant when applying for colleges, how can students have an edge over their competition? Often times, students go about the application process on their own or seek the advice of an agency, many of which are led by individuals who have not personally experienced applying to and being accepted by elite American colleges. Regardless of a student's choice, this book provides students and parents with an in-depth, holistic view of American college applications. In a competitive applicant market where it is increasingly difficult to gain acceptance into top universities, specific useful insights found in this book are necessary for students and parents who want to succeed. This book discusses successful and unsuccessful application trends and guides readers on how to avoid common mistakes. The author, who was accepted to 18 universities and graduated from Yale University, knows the entire application range. Having spent several years in China working with students on college applications, she has knowledge of both the Western and Asian systems that would help international applicants - particularly Asian students - in their endeavors.