Nobody tells you when to start. That is most of the problem.

Priyanka Shingala takes a Sunday afternoon at Wilton Library to break college admissions into three standalone hours, and you are welcome to come to one, two or all of them. The first maps the whole run from ninth grade to twelfth: what actually matters each year, when to test, when to build a list, and which worries can safely wait. The second walks through the Common App itself, section by section, including the Activities list and that mysterious Additional Information box. The third is about the essay, and it starts from the premise that your essay does not need to be dramatic or impressive, only honest enough that a reader understands the person behind the application.

The schedule. Session one runs 1pm to 2:15pm, session two 2:30pm to 3:30pm, session three 3:45pm to 4:45pm.

Good to know. Free, and registration is required. Useful for families with a freshman and families with a senior alike.

Where to go. The Rimer Room at Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road.