What's organization got to do with the college search? Plenty. If you're disorganized, you'll probably end up misplacing important paperwork and missing essential deadlines. If you're an over-the-top perfectionist, you'll probably organize yourself into a nervous wreck and earn the nickname "control freak." So where do you fall on the "organization scale"? Take this quiz and find out.

1. How often do you clean your room?

1. a. For special occasions.
2. b. Do what?
3. c. Daily. You can't survive in a messy living space.

2. You're late to class:

1. a. So often that your nickname in the teachers' lounge is "Tardy."
2. b. Once in a while. Long hallways, heavy books, friends to see.
3. c. Never—unless you count the nerve-wracking day in fourth grade when you missed the bus.

3. How often do you lose things like your keys, wallet and cell phone?

1. a. Rarely. It drives you crazy if everything isn't in its proper place.
2. b. All the time. In fact, you're looking for that pen you had when you started this quiz!
3. c. Occasionally. Some days your brain is just overloaded.

4. Your friend calls to ask for a classmate's phone number. You say:

1. a. "I'll call you back in a few minutes. It's on a slip of paper somewhere in my room."
2. b. "Hang on. I have it in my cell phone."
3. c. "Sorry … wrote it on my hand, and it sweated off at soccer practice."

5. When your friend misses a week of school to have his wisdom teeth pulled, he asks you to pick up his assignments. He:

1. a. Is delighted when you deliver not only each class's assignments, but also the weekly bulletin, an issue of the school newspaper and a transcript of the student council meeting he missed.
2. b. Isn't too upset that you didn't get his math assignments since you remembered everything else.
3. c. Has a really light homework load (OK, nothing!) because you forgot.

6. Your school locker:

1. a. Hasn't been opened in a month. You're afraid an avalanche will bury you alive.
2. b. Has what you like to call "personality."
3. c. Is so clean that it could appear on the cover of Locker Beautiful magazine.

7. Do you have a hard time throwing stuff away?

1. a. Definitely. Those notes from seventh grade social studies class bring back so many memories!
2. b. Nope. If you haven't worn it, used it, or thought about it in the last six months, it goes into the trash!
3. c. Sometimes—especially things with sentimental value.

8. Your mom asks you to swing by the store on the way home from school to pick up milk, eggs, bread and aluminum foil. You come home with:

1. a. Milk, eggs, bread and … Doritos. You forgot the final item and chose a worthy substitute.
2. b. Nothing. You were chatting on your cell on the way home and completely forgot the shopping trip.
3. c. Milk, eggs, bread and aluminum foil. You made a list. How hard can it be?

9. You bought a shirt last week and want to return it. Where's the receipt?

1. a. Ummm …
2. b. Filed in the expanding file folder where your receipts are arranged by month.
3. c. Probably crumpled in your wallet or your dresser drawer.

10. Have you ever overdrawn your bank card/checking account?

1. a. Impossible. You check your online banking statements daily to watch the activity.
2. b. Once—when you forgot to record the check you wrote for your sister's birthday present.
3. c. Yikes! It's too painful to think about all the fees you've paid.

11. When a woman from the dentist's office calls to remind you about your appointment Saturday, you:

1. a. Wonder, What dentist appointment?!
2. b. Check your P.D.A. to make sure the receptionist has the correct time.
3. c. Are thankful for the reminder. You'd almost forgotten!

12. Your photos from the last three years are:

1. a. Filed and categorized in albums on your hard drive.
2. b. Still on your camera—just like when you took them.
3. c. Probably either in a folder on your computer or printed out in albums.

13. You and your siblings are planning a surprise anniversary party for your parents, and you're in charge of invitations. You:

1. a. Tell your parents' friends and ask them to spread the word.
2. b. Pass out fliers with your phone number so people can RSVP.
3. c. Mail invitations and follow up with a phone call.

14. The thought of choosing a major and scheduling classes to meet college graduation requirements:

1. a. Feels a little intimidating, but you know you'll have an adviser to help.
2. b. Gets your blood pumping! You love planning stuff like this.
3. c. Freaks you out! You'll never be able to figure all that stuff out!

15. What do you do with the college brochures that flood your mailbox each week?

1. a. Sort them immediately according to "really interested," "semi-interested" and "not a chance."
2. b. Toss 'em in a shoebox. You might sift through them at Christmas … if you find the time.
3. c. Save the ones that look like possibilities and pitch the rest.

16. When you look at your friend's messy room, you:

1. a. Shrug your shoulders. Hey, it looks like yours.
2. b. Start to feel stressed out by the messiness. There's no way you can stay in here—you've gotta leave.
3. c. Roll your eyes a little, then relax. So what if she's messy and you're neat?

16-26 points: Yikes! Sounds like your organizational skills could use a makeover. Notice the word "skills" in that last sentence. Organization is not a talent a few lucky people are born with; it's a skill anyone can develop. Sure, it will take time and effort—but you'll save time and spare yourself frustration in the long run. Remember: Procrastination and disorganization are your worst enemies. You'll feel overwhelmed if you let things pile up over a period of weeks or months. Why not take one practical step today? Buy a calendar and start using it to mark important college deadlines. Or set up a simple filing system for incoming applications. One step today, another next week—you may be surprised to find organization can be easy!

27-37 points: Way to go! You lead a fairly organized life. You're better in some areas than others, but you have the basics down—which will come in handy as you try to make sense of all the college prep paperwork. Don't worry if you're not a neat person by nature. Organization isn't so much about how things look as it is about how things function. Perhaps what looks like chaos to others makes perfect sense to you. That's OK.

38-48 points: Whew! You'd ace the O.A.T. (Organizational Aptitude Test) … if there was such a thing. Your incredible organizational habits will serve you well as you head into college life. Beware of going overboard, though. You may waste a couple of hours creating a beautiful color-coded filing system for college brochures when a few labeled shoeboxes would work just as well. And remember: Not everyone has the same level of organizational skills, so be patient and realistic in your expectations of others.