College Admission — Ask the Experts
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How Can I Avoid College Application Fees and Save Money?
College application fees can stack up quickly. Here's some expert advice on fee waivers, how to know if you're eligible, and where to get them
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Should I Submit My Personal Statement If a School Doesn't Require It?
A strong personal statement can make a difference in admission, but what if it isn't required? Here's some expert advice on this supplemental essay.
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Should I Use ChatGPT to Help Me During the College Admission Process?
The AI bot ChatGPT is the latest craze taking the technology world by storm. Before you use it for college applications, our experts have some advice!
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Why Is It Important to Build a Balanced College List?
Students should build a balanced college list consisting of several safety, match, and reach schools. Learn why and how you should do this from an expert!
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What Is Naviance and How Do I Use It?
Many high schools use Naviance to help students plan for college, but what is it all about? Learn more about this college and career readiness tool here!
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Does Taking a Gap Year Affect College Admission?
Many students consider taking a gap year but worry it will affect their admission status or future college admission. Here's what to know from an expert.
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How Do Colleges and Universities Track Student Interest?
How does a school know you're interested in them? You have to demonstrate your interest, and our experts know exactly how you can do that. Find out now!
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Should I Avoid Cliches in My College Admission Essay?
Is it okay to use a cliche in your college application essay? The answer might surprise you. Read our expert's advice here!
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What College App Mistakes Should Students Avoid?
Students often worry about mistakes on their college applications affecting admission. Here are common things that experts suggest to look out for.
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How Does a High School's National Ranking Affect College Admission?
Students often wonder if their high school's ranking in the country affects their college admission. Here's the answer!
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What's the Best Advice for Writing a College Essay?
There's a lot of advice on how to write the college application essay, but you need to be careful who you listen to. Find out the best (and worst) tips here!
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How Will COVID-19 Impact the College Admission Process?
The question of the year: How is COVID-19 going to change? Fill in the blank. Luckily, our experts have answers to how it's changing college admission.
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How Should I Talk to Colleges as a High School Student?
Striking the right tone in your communication with colleges is important. Learn how to do just that with this expert advice!
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How Should I Prepare for My Admission Interview?
Being interviewed can be difficult at first, but it gets easier the more you practice. Check out this expert advice for your admission interviews.
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How Should I Prepare for a Virtual Admission Interview?
Since the coronavirus pandemic, many colleges have switched from in-person interviews to virtual ones. Make sure yours goes smoothly with this expert advice!
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How Can I Trim Down My College Essay?
Are you finishing up your admission essay, but it's just too long for the word count requirements? Our experts have advice for trimming it down!
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How Influential Is a Name-Brand College?
You may be wowed by the name recognition of certain institutions, but there are many other factors to consider when choosing a college. Learn more here.
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Should I Ace Easy Classes or Push Myself in Hard Ones?
Is it smarter to take easy classes to boost your GPA or challenge yourself but risk lower grades in harder classes? Our experts have the answer!
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Do I Need to Submit Supplemental Materials With My College Applications?
Should you send in supplemental materials with your college applications? It depends—but you should definitely follow any directions given by the school.
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How Many Extracurriculars Should I Participate in to Impress Colleges?
Turns out you don't need to join nine clubs to stand out to colleges! Our experts explain why you shouldn't stretch yourself thin when it comes to activities.
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What Is Rolling Admission?
Rolling admission gives you more options when it comes to applying to college. Schools with rolling admission evaluate applications until all of the available spots are filled for that year.
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What Is the Common Application?
Students have probably heard about the Common Application before, but what exactly is it? And should you be using it for college? Our experts have the answer.
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How Should Freshmen Prepare for the College Search?
It's never too early to start thinking about college! Learn what you can do as early as your freshman year with this expert advice.
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When Should I Apply to College?
The college application process can elicit feelings of excitement and anxiety, but applying early can help ease the worry and put you on the right track.
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Do Summer Activities Matter in College Admission?
Admission counselors love to hear about your summer activities, but you need to know how to include them on your application. Learn more now!
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What’s Your Best Advice for Filling Out My College Applications?
There's a lot to keep track of when you're applying to college. Here are some important to-do's for completing applications, as recommended by the experts.
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How Do I Figure Out Which Colleges I Should Apply To?
There is so much that goes into the process of determining which colleges you should apply to. Find out what's most important.
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How Are Grades Used in College Admission Decisions?
The classes you take and the grades you earn are the most important factor upon which you are evaluated when you apply to college. Read more from our experts.
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What Does Recommended Years of Study Mean?
Colleges often require or recommend a certain amount of years of study in a high school subject for admission, but what does it really mean? We have the answer!
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How Should Rankings Affect My College Search?
It's critical not to let national rankings drive your entire college search process. Find out why here!
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When Should I Start Thinking About College?
The experts weigh in on when high school students should start thinking about college (and when to begin their college search!).
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How Are My Extracurricular Activities Used in College Admission?
Admission officers look closely at your activities outside the classroom on your application. Here's what to know about extracurriculars in college admission.
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When Should I Start My College Search?
Though it varies from student to student, it's important to start planning for college sooner rather than later. Learn more.
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How Are Admission Decisions Made?
At most colleges, admission decisions are made holistically. But what does that mean? Learn all about it from our experts.
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How Many Schools Should I Apply To?
It's not the number of schools you apply to that's important; it's the thought and care put into each application. Learn more from our experts here.
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How Is My Application Essay Used in Admission?
Your essay is the way that college admission officers get to know you as a person and see what kind of passion you'll bring to campus. Learn more about it here!
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What's the Pre-College Summer Program Application Process Like?
Some summer programs require an application many months in advance. Some only require registration. Find out more on CX now!
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How Does a Summer Program Affect the College Search?
When college admission officers are evaluating your application, one of the characteristics they look for in you is initiative and another is love of learning.
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How Do I Know When My College List Is Finally Complete?
How do you know when your college list is complete? Here are some questions to ask yourself, as recommended by college admission experts, to finalize it.
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Should I Be Worried About College as a High School Freshman?
Should you be worried about college when you're just starting high school? No! But our experts say you should be thinking about it at least a little bit.
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How Important Is GPA in the Admission Process?
Yes, it's true that grades are very important in the college admission process...but that doesn't mean you need a perfect GPA to get into college.
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What Are Some Cornerstones of a Good College Application Essay?
Knowing exactly what makes a college application essay "good" is key to knocking yours out of the park. Here's some advice to get you started!
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Who Can Help Me Write My College Application Essay?
You can get guidance, but make sure it is the right kind of help. Learn more.
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What Can I Do If I Was Deferred From My Top College?
So, you were deferred by your top-choice school. What can you do to increase your odds of admission? Read on for a few tips from our experts.
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How Can I Prepare for College Fairs?
College fairs are a great way to explore schools without going to campus. But how can you be sure to get the most out of them? Our experts have the answer!
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Should I Defer a Year So I Can Receive In-State Tuition?
Sometimes in-state tuition is worth changing your college plans for. Our experts have advice on taking a year off to get in-state tuition.
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Will Dual Enrollment Increase My Chances?
Dual enrollment: don't do it to "look good to colleges." Do it because it's the right path for you to take. Learn more on CollegeXpress.
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How Important Is Location in My College Decision?
It's important that you think about the place, the physical area, of where you want to go to college--but it shouldn't weight too heavily on your decision.
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What Can I Do If I've Been Waitlisted?
Being waitlisted isn't easy, but you don't have to sit back and do nothing. Here's some expert advice on things you can do to secure your admission.
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What Do Admission Counselors Look for in College Apps?
Students don't often know exactly what admission counselors are looking for on college applications. If you're wondering, here's the answer form an expert.
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Will Clubs and Activities Boost My College Application?
Remember that quality of involvement is more important than quantity. Stick with extracurricular activities that have always interested you! Learn more.
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How Are Application Elements Ranked?
How are different elements of your college applications ranked? Our experts have the answers from admission essay to your list of extracurriculars!
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Should I Go to College If I'm Not Sure About It?
Is college right for you? Although, we'd like to say it's right for everyone; that's not always true. These college experts weigh in to help you decide.
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What Do I Do If My Parents and I Disagree About College?
It's common for students and parents to disagree on which colleges to apply to, but in the end, it should be your choice! Start compromising with this advice.
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How Do I Find the Right College for Me?
This is really the million-dollar question for college hopefuls. Read our expert advice here.
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What Should I Write My College Application Essay About?
Students who are willing to share who they are as a person, distinct from their academic record and test scores, are the students who stand out. Learn more.
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How Should I Start My College Search?
The college search process isn't the same for every student, but these college experts have some advice for how you can get started finding great schools.
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Should I Apply to College Early Decision or Early Action?
Early Decision, Early Action, or Single-Choice Early Action? Each mean something entirely different. Find out which is right for you.
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How Many Recommendation Letters Should Students Submit?
Three might be the magic number--but the most important thing is that your recommenders know you well. Learn more here!
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Who Should I Ask to Write My College Recommendation Letters?
College applications stressing you out? Recommendation letters are the easiest part! Use the following rules of thumb as a guide to asking for them.
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What Is a Common Application Supplement?
You may be using the Common Application to apply to school, but have you considered utilizing the Common App supplement? Our experts can fill you in.
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Do Admission Counselors Consider Extracurricular Activities?
When planning for college, good grades and high test scores are important. But what's just as important are activities outside the classroom.
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