Achieve the college dream: you don't need to be rich to attend a top school

Foreword

Ackowledgements

Introduction: trust me: it's possible

1. A college education: the path to prosperity and opportunity

Going to college vs. getting a job

The importance of college vs. graduate school

2. Selective colleges: a most affordable option for low-income students

Understanding what makes top college affordable

Why Harvard might be a student's cheapest option

3. The meaning of high achievement: what admission officers are looking for

The "holistic" application review

4. Meeting the academic admission requirements at no cost

Choosing the best possible high school

Pursuing a rigorous curriculum

Preparing for standardized testing - The role of parents

5. How to succeed in extracurriculars without spending money

Find what you love

Explore opportunites at school

Explore opportunites outside of school

Scaling your initiative

Finding accessible college counselors: the expert and the role model

Finding a college counseling expert

Finding a role model

My essential college counselors

7. How to choose target colleges in three steps

The right number of target colleges

Likelihood of admission

Critical characteristics

Strategies to explore colleges

8. Applying for college admission: what it takes and how to do it for free

Application requirements

Application timeline

9. Securing financial aid to pay for college

Financial aid from universities

Scholarships from external organizations

10. Accepting an offer: the last step in the college application process.