In order to be eligible for either Early Decision or Early Action by a college or university, a student must complete that school's entire application process by November 1. (Check individual schools' requirements for variance of that November 1 deadline.) Included in an Early Decision or Early Action application are the following:

1. Two teacher recommendation letters
2. Counselor recommendation
3. High School transcript
4. Activity list
5. Required essay(s)
6. SAT 1 scores
7. SAT 2 scores

Once you apply under Early Decision status, you will be notified of the college's decision by December 15 of your senior year. If accepted, under the terms of Early Decision, you must withdraw all other applications and you must attend that school. That decision is binding. Early Action has the same time frame, however, there is one big exception. Early Action is not binding. In other words, a student is free to apply to other universities and attend somewhere else if he or she chooses.

I very seldom recommend Early Decision because circumstances can change greatly during a student's senior year. Very few students are 100% positive about the choice of a college to attend. It is a monumental decision which must be thought out very carefully. If possible, a student and his/her parents should visit prospective colleges in the student's junior year of high school. It is important to be aware of all aspects of a college including total cost. Don't rely on scholarships to offset any financial shortfall; they may or may not be available.

My daughter's behavior has changed remarkably for the worse. She has little interest in school and is easily distracted. My friends suggest the possibility of drugs. Do you think that I should go through her room and possessions? Help!

I think that it is of utmost importance that you seek professional help. If you will call my office, I will be glad to recommend someone on your insurance plan. In the meantime, I suggest that you take the following steps: Make an appointment for your daughter to have a complete and thorough physical, set up appointments with your daughter's guidance counselor and her teachers and speak with the parents of your daughter's friends. Once this has all been accomplished and you have additional information, you should have an open and frank discussion with her yourself. Yes, if I were you I would check her possessions and her room for evidence of drugs. Ignorance is not bliss in this particular scenario.

My eleventh grader received a letter stating that he had been selected for Who's Who in American High Schools. Is this a legitimate honor?

In the past six months, yours truly has been selected to be in several of those Who's Who books such as Female Educators, Females in Business and last but not least, a message on my voice mail informed me that I had the ultimate distinction of being selected to appear in Who's Who for the Millennium.

Last month when I spoke before more than a thousand students at South Miami High School, I asked the assembly how many of them had been selected to appear in Who's Who in American High Schools. The response was overwhelming. My next question asked how many of them had BOUGHT the publication which listed their name. Most of them laughed with embarrassment because they realized that there is truly nothing special about being in such books. Whoever is promoting Who's Who is making a great deal of money. My advice to students is NOT to list this "honor" on any college applications.

Toby Rose is President of Toby Rose's College Prep and is an Independent College Counselor. She was Dade County's Outstanding Teacher, directed the High School in Israel Program and was Chairperson of the Dade County School Board's Academic Advisory Committee. Toby's professional affiliations include membership in both the National Association of College Admissions Counselors and the Southern Association of College Admissions Counselors and the Higher Education Consultants Association. She is also a member of the University of Miami Women's Guild and the American Association of University Women.