> Why do you take the SAT at the end of your junior year or at the *start* of your senior year? Why not at the end of the senior year? I mean, what do you do for the rest of the year? Is there any big, finishing exam at the end of grade 12? In the UK we just have a final exam at the end of year 12 - but I'm guessing it's different for you.

College applications are typically due starting in November of your senior year and ending early at the beginning of the new year. Most colleges will have notified you of acceptance or rejection by April, so taking the SAT (or ACT) after when you're supposed to have applied would be somewhat in vain.

> In the USA, when do you start submitting applications for college - while you are still in high school, or when you've finished?

As I said, around November is when applications begin to have their final due dates. If you're entering what would be your senior year, it would be a good idea to pick out which colleges you plan on appplying to pretty soon. Contact them to acquire applications, and get information on due dates and other related things, like whether they require a portfolio if you're applying for an art major or any other requirements/exceptions. A well-done college website will give you pretty much all the information you need. Make sure you check on dates (and everything else) for each individual university, as they'll likely be different.

> How many applications do you usually submit? Do you usually just aim for one college, or do you send in an application to dozens and hope one accepts you?

Aiming for one college isn't really a good idea. If you're set on getting into college in the US, don't just send one application -- what happens if you aren't accepted?

Typically, I've been told it's good to apply to some schools that you're pretty sure you'd be accepted to (in terms of merit and everything else), some that might be a bit of a reach, and a more challenging school. That doesn't mean you send in 15 applications, $40 application fees and all -- I know of three schools I'm definitely applying to; I have two others I think I'm going to try for, and if I find one or two more along the way, I'll try for them too.

> What's the deal with the SAT II -- what time of year do you take it? I know to apply as an international student, I have to take three SAT IIs in any subject - is that the same for American students?

US students pretty much only take the SAT II subject tests if a particular college requires or favors them. SAT IIs are mostly on the same days as SAT Is (see collegeboard.com for dates and registration info, even for international students) -- my friend Chelsea took her science subject tests on the same day I took my SAT Is. The date list on collegeboard.com will tell you if it's not allowed for international students or if SAT IIs aren't offered on that date.

And while you're there, you can use collegeboard.com's search feature to help you find colleges that suit you and get more info on them.

Final words: do a LOT of research. When you've figured out what colleges you might like to attend, read their whole website if you can, and request information on subjects where you don't have enough information from their site. Figure out what they say about interviews, portfolios, auditions .... get information on publications, sports, clubs, or other activities you might like to be involved in. Find out about campus life, housing, and the basic ambience of the place ... make a visit if you can (though I know it's hard when you're so far away -- my top college choice is on the east coast, and I live in California) to see if you'd feel okay there and have an interview if it's suggested. Find out about financial aid if you need it and application requirements like essays or letters of recommendation. Basically, read up. And do it for all the colleges you're interested in.

Ri "of course, I'm still pretty confused on a lot of this stuff myself" a