Everyone acknowledges the importance of leadership in good schools, but sometimes a leader's influence extends into unexpected areas. Getting admitted to and succeeding in college is certainly the result of hard work on the part of individual students and their families, but for many kids, particularly those from impoverished backgrounds or from families without a strong commitment to higher education, the school plays a crucial role in helping them realize their educational goals. And the schools that are most successful in doing just that have strong leaders who create and sustain a culture of post-secondary education and provide the support necessary for students to develop the skills, knowledge, attitudes and habits of mind required for college success. This timeline, which is distilled from dozens of resources on preparing for college, getting admitted, and paying for college, lays out an agenda for leaders in middle and high schools. The timeline brings together the information principals need to work with students, parents and staff to make sure every child has a good shot at college admission and attendance. It also lays out an annual (and sometimes seasonal) timeline based on the normal cycles of application, admission, financial aid, and final decisions about schools and programs.