Explore our collection of admissions FAQs. Each answer is expert-approved by our team to help you reach your goals.
Hi all! I'm not sure whether I should apply for need-based or merit-based financial aid. Can someone please explain the differences between the two and help me determine which type of aid might be bes …
Hello everyone! I'm a junior and I've been hearing a lot about the importance of having a 'hook' in your college application. I'm not entirely sure what that means or if I have one. Can someone explai …
Hey guys, I'm trying to plan out my senior schedule and am wondering if there's a certain number of AP classes Ivy League schools expect applicants to have taken. Would appreciate any advice!
Hey guys, I'm a high school junior and I've recently learned that some colleges require supplemental essays or materials in addition to the main application. I'm not exactly sure what the purpose of t …
Hi guys, I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about college applications. I'm not sure what I want to major in yet, and I'm wondering if it's possible to apply to college without declaring a major. …
Hey everyone! I regularly babysit my siblings and occasionally other kids in my neighborhood. Does this count as an extracurricular activity? I'd appreciate any opinions on whether to include it on my …
I'm a junior and my dream schools are the T20 colleges. I have a good GPA, solid test scores, and participate in a few extracurriculars. However, I'm worried about standing out among the thousands of …
Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I want to get more involved in my school community to show colleges my dedication and leadership skills. What are some ways I could become more active and make a positiv …
Hello! I'm a junior in high school, and I've been stressing over my course load for next year. I've taken a mix of honors and AP classes, but I'm not sure if that's enough to impress colleges. Do coll …
Hi there, I'm a junior in high school and I'm starting to think about getting recommendation letters for my college applications. How important are these letters in the overall admissions process? Als …
Hi, I'm a junior and I've been tutoring younger students in math for a while now. Can I consider tutoring as an extracurricular activity for my college applications? I'd appreciate any guidance!
Hi everyone! Unfortunately, I didn't perform well on my AP exams due to some family issues that arose right before the testing period. Is there a way to explain these circumstances to colleges so they …
Hi all, I'm a junior who's truly passionate about biology and wants to major in it during college. I have some extracurriculars related to biology, like being part of my school's biology club and volu …
Hey guys! I'm a high school junior interested in finding a pre-college summer program to attend next summer. Can anyone recommend some great programs to look into? Any experiences or suggestions would …
Throughout high school, I have been dedicated to meaningful community service, including organizing a local food drive and volunteering at a homeless shelter. I want to highlight the importance of the …
Hi all! I want to major in computer science, but my math score on the SAT is a bit lower than I'd like (650). Is it still possible to get into top computer science programs, or should I focus on tryin …
Hi there! I'm struggling to balance my time between studying for the SAT/ACT and maintaining a good GPA. In your experience, which one should I prioritize for college admissions? Any advice would be g …
I'm currently ranked 6th out of 230 students in my junior class. While I'm happy with my rank, I wonder how much weight it has in college admissions. Will it have a significant impact on my chances of …
Hi there! I'm planning on participating in a study abroad program next summer, and I'm wondering if this will count as an extracurricular activity on my college applications or if it's considered some …
Hi guys, I'm a junior in high school and I'm trying to decide between taking a challenging course in my senior year that I might not get an A in, or taking an easier course and getting a higher grade. …