Explore our collection of admissions FAQs. Each answer is expert-approved by our team to help you reach your goals.
Hi everyone! I'm a junior, and I'm considering attending a community college and then transferring to a four-year university. I want to make sure I have a strong transfer application, but I'm not sure …
Hi there! I've been hearing about the importance of having a 'hook' in college applications. Can someone please explain what a hook is and whether it's really crucial for getting into a competitive co …
Hey guys! I'm really determined to get accepted into a competitive college, and I want to know what I can do to improve my chances. What steps should I take in my junior year to strengthen my applicat …
So, I'm currently a junior and I've been thinking about taking a gap year before starting college. I'm just not sure how colleges view gap years and if it would hurt my chances of getting accepted. An …
Hi there! I've heard that having a 'spike,' or a particularly strong area of focus, can help with college admissions. Is this true, and if so, how do I go about developing a spike in my application? I …
Hey guys! Some of the colleges I'm applying to have a holistic admissions process, which means they consider more than just grades and test scores. How can I make my application stand out in this type …
Hi all! I've heard that some colleges track 'demonstrated interest' in their applicants. How important is this factor, and what are some ways to show interest in a college without coming across as ins …
Hi all! I'm a high school junior, and I've been trying to figure out whether I'd prefer attending a large or small college. I can see the benefits of both, but I'm not sure which one would be the best …
Hi, I'm a junior, and I've taken a few AP classes in high school. How important are AP classes in the college admissions process, and do colleges look for a certain number of AP classes on my transcri …
Hello! I'm a junior and I know that some colleges require or recommend interviews as part of the application process. I'm a bit nervous about this aspect, so I want to start preparing as early as poss …
I'm a junior and I recently took the ACT, but I'm not completely happy with my score. Should I retake it, or will colleges not care that much about the difference? I'm feeling a little stressed about …
Hey everyone, I'm a junior, and I want to make sure I have a strong relationship with my school counselor since they'll be writing one of my letters of recommendation. How do I go about building this …
Hi everyone! I'm planning on visiting a few college campuses this summer, and I was wondering what I should do while I'm there to get the most out of my visit. Are there any specific questions I shoul …
Hi everyone, I know this might be a bit early, but I'm already thinking about how I'll decide between colleges if I get accepted to more than one. What factors should I consider when making this decis …
Hi there, I'm a junior and I've been thinking about my course selection for senior year. How important is it to take challenging courses, and do colleges really care about the classes I choose? Thanks …
My parents went to a college that I'm interested in applying to, and I'm wondering how much their legacy status might impact my chances of getting in. Is it a significant factor in the admissions proc …
Hey there, I'm a junior, and I've been thinking about my college applications. I want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to make my application as strong as possible. What are some things I can d …
Hey everyone! I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about my college essay topic. I want to choose something that really showcases my personality and makes me stand out. How did you guys decide on yo …
Hey everyone! I'm a junior in high school, and I've been hearing a lot about Early Decision and Early Action application options. I'm not sure if either one is the right choice for me, and I'm hoping …
Hey guys, I'm a high school junior and I'm looking at colleges. There's one college I really like, but my stats are below their average. Is it worth applying, or am I just setting myself up for disapp …