Posts in Questions and Answers
Q&A: Can I talk about a mental illness on my college applications as a reason for a dip in my grades?

As an on-again, off-again admissions reader, I’ve always been trained to take into account extenuating circumstances like an illness (in whatever form) or death in the family when evaluating an applicant’s profile.

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Q&A: Should my college admissions essay relate to my intended major?

Depends. If your application is for graduate school where you generally already have a field of study chosen, or for direct admission into an undergrad college like X University’s College of Education, you should definitely tie your main application essay into your future major or focus area.

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How Universities Make Admissions Decisions: 15 Factors

No matter how strong your grades are or high your SAT scores, admission isn’t guaranteed. There are a number of factors that go into your admissions decision.

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Breaking Down How to Contact Admissions Officers - Tips for Emailing, Calling, and Meeting In-person

Out of all the parts of the application process that usually cause a little bit of stress, communicating with admissions counselors doesn’t have to be one of them. Whether you’ve already established communication with an admissions counselor or you’re about to visit the college for the first time

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FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About the National Honor Society for High School Students

If you have a GPA of 3.0 or above, you may be eligible for the National Honor Society (NHS). The NHS is a great way to stand out on your college application, especially if you take advantage of all that the program has to offer. Here’s more information about the NHS, including how to apply for the National Honor Society Scholarship Program.

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Q&A: Will a High SAT Score Counter a Low GPA?

A: Your GPA is just one factor among a dozen or so colleges use to evaluate applicants. In many ways, I view course rigor and other academic indicators as important, if not more important, than having an incredibly high GPA (3.75+). Still, GPA does matter in the long run.

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Q&A: How Long Should My College Application Essay Be?

A college admissions essays, commonly referred to as a personal statement or statement of purpose, can range in length from 350 words to several pages which means, for some applications, you have limited space to describe your experiences, achievements, and goals.

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Q&A: Why do college acceptance rates keep dropping each year?

The experts say that admissions rates (i.e. the percentage of applicants who get offers of admission) are falling at top colleges because prospective students are applying to more schools than they used to, while the number of available spots hasn’t really picked up.

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Q&A: I have an after school job at a hospital. Can I put that on a college application?

Yes, you can and should put an after school job on your college applications. I would say only about 1 in every 8 cases when I read undergraduate applications did the applicant list a job…

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Q&A: What are some things I can do in high school to help me get into good colleges?

As an experienced admissions file reader, there are some basic guidelines I would give any applicant, that if followed, would make their application profile more competitive for top schools, like the Ivies.

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Frequently Asked Questions for Transfer Students

Requirements for transfer students vary from school to school, but there are still many commonalities in the admissions process between universities. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers for students curious about or considering a transfer.

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Should I Go to Grad School? Here’s a List of Reasons the Answer Might Be Yes

Going to graduate school is an important decision that takes a lot of consideration and thought. It’s essential that you have a compelling reason before you ultimately make the decision to go back to school to get an advanced degree.

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Q&A: How Important is it to Take Physics...and Other Questions

I’m a Junior right now and trying to figure out what classes I want to have next year. I’m thinking about taking an extra elective next year, instead of Physics because I hate science and would rather do something, I enjoy my Senior year. How important is it for me to take Physics if I want to get into T20 schools like Cornell, Stanford, and Columbia?

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Q&A: What are Some Etiquette Tips for Sitting in on Classes...and Other Questions

I'll be sitting in on a class at the University of Washington in a couple days and it'll be my first time ever sitting in on a class. Are there certain rules or etiquette I should follow when I'm there?

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Q&A: Should I Include a Resume with my College Application...and Other Questions

For one of the schools I’m applying to, the word limit for the personal statement is 3,250 words. I called the school’s admissions office to ask if 3,000 approximate words was correct, to which they confirmed on the basis of it being a “transfer essay”. I’m wondering if lengthier essays for transfers aren’t uncommon, especially for selective schools.

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Q&A: What Should I Wear to My College Interview and Other Questions

What should I wear to a college interview?

I’m struggling with figuring out what to wear for a college admissions interview I have scheduled for next week. I know that people say not to go too over the top, but my interview is going to be inside at a medical office during the business day.  Should I wear a full suit?

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Q&A: Am I Considered First Generation…and Other Questions

Am I first generation?

My mom didn’t go to college, but my dad did and graduated with an Associate Degree. Both of my siblings have graduated from college with engineering degrees. Does this mean I’m not first-generation?

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