If you’ve found the perfect match and are confident in your choice, applying to only one college might work. But for most students—especially in today’s competitive admissions environment—it’s wiser to cast a broader yet strategic net. 

Why Most Students Apply to Multiple Colleges 

There are many reasons to apply to more than one school: 

• Some schools on your list may be much harder to get into than others, so you want to spread your risk.  

• You might not yet know which school is your clear favorite by the time your application deadlines arrive. 

• Financial aid is a factor — you may want multiple offers to compare need- or merit-based aid packages.  

• For better or worse, high achieving students aiming for highly selective universities are applying to more schools as a risk mitigation strategy.  

In short: Applying broadly can give you more options, but the key is to apply wisely, not wildly. Our goal is to help the student make those decisions before the applications are sent out. This not only helps to limit the list, but it eliminates some uncertainty.  If the student can narrow the list to certain types of colleges that resemble one another, then this eliminates the possibility that they will end up attending the “wrong” university.  

So… How Many Colleges Should You Apply To? 

Our recommendation for the majority of our students: aim for around 8 to 12 colleges. Here’s why that range makes sense: 

• Less than 5 – You risk not getting enough offers if you don’t include any backup (“likely”) schools. 

• More than 15 – You might spread yourself too thin: less time per application, weaker essays, more stress. 

• 8–12 is balanced – Gives you enough options to cover reach, target, and likely schools while still doing quality work on each. 

Here’s a rough breakdown of your list: 

• Reach schools (2–3): These are schools where your credentials might be slightly below the typical admit, or competition is extremely high with very low acceptance rates. 

• Target schools (3–5): Schools where you’re reasonably well aligned with admitted students’ stats and you’d be happy attending. 

• Likely schools (2–4): Schools where your credentials are above average for admitted students and you feel confident you’d be admitted. 

With this structure, a list of 8–12 might look like: 2 reaches, 4 targets, 2 likely (that’s 8), or 3 reaches, 5 targets, 4 likely (that’s 12). Adjust based on your comfort zone, finances, geographic preferences, etc. 

We often tell students: “Spend the time to make each application a gem. Quality beats quantity.”  

Why This Balanced Approach Matters 

1. You’ll reduce stress and enhance quality 

When you apply to too many schools, you may end up rushing essays, duplicating material without customizing it, and feeling burnt out. With ~8–12 applications, you can personalize each, tailor your narrative, and show genuine interest. 

2. You’ll cover your bases without over-applying 

You want to ensure you have options. Reach schools give you a chance at your dream. Targets give you solid possibilities. Likely schools offer safety nets. Without likely options, you could end up with no choices. 

3. You’ll be strategic about money and fit 

Applying to colleges costs both time and money (application fees, travel for visits, etc.). You also want to compare financial aid offers. A manageable list lets you research each school’s culture, programs, scholarship history, and make a well-informed decision. 

4. Data shows high-achieving students are applying to more colleges

And this matters because it raises the baseline of competition — meaning your strategy must be thoughtful. Here’s what the data shows: 

• According to the Common App, the average number of applications submitted by applicants rose from 4.63 in the 2013-14 season to 6.8 in the 2024-2025 application cycle. 

• The proportion of applicants applying to more than ten colleges roughly doubled, from 8% to 17% between 2014-15 and 2021-22. Common App 

• Critically: “[H]igh-volume application behavior is first and foremost a phenomenon of selective college admissions.” Common App In other words: the students who tend to apply to many schools are those with higher test scores and credentials. For example, applicants who applied to 15 or more schools had average SAT/ACT scores higher by about 130 points compared with those who applied to fewer than five. 

• From a 2025 survey of the Class of 2028 at Duke: 75% of respondents reported they applied to 10 or more universities. A whopping 26% said they applied to over 20 schools during their college application process.  Duke Chronicle

Source: Duke Chronicle

Compare the Duke survey to the broader Common App pool of applicants from earlier where only 2% of applicants applied to 20+ colleges. These trends show that it’s not just “everyone applies to a gazillion schools”—it’s especially very competitive, high-achieving students casting wide nets. Thus kids, feeling the pressure of rejection, apply to more colleges. That raises the stakes: if you are competitive, you still need a strategy; if you’re less sure, you definitely need a smart list. 

Tips for Building Your List 

• Reflect on your priorities of what you’re looking for in a college: location, size, majors, cost, campus culture — know what you care about before you build your list. 

• Use admissions data wisely: Look up admit rates, published profiles of admitted students, financial aid trends and compare these to your own profile. 

• Visit or virtual-visit: For many schools, you’ll get a better feel from a campus tour or online session. 

• Balance wisely: Aim for 2–3 reach, 3–5 target, 2–4 likely. Adjust if you have special constraints (e.g., budget, out-of-state vs. in-state). 

• Customize each application: Write specific, genuine essays for each school. Highlight programs or aspects that resonate with you. 

• Keep finances in mind: Don’t just apply to schools with high sticker prices and limited aid. Some “less selective” schools offer great merit scholarships. 

• Apply early if possible: Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA) can give you a better chance at selective schools — and reduce pressure later.  

Choose more wisely, be realistic about your chances (neither too optimistic nor too pessimistic). Spend the time developing a very solid application to the colleges you really, really want to attend. And have the confidence that you will get a great education no matter where you land. In the end, the number of applications each student fills out depends on who they are, what they want, and what they need.

Final Thoughts on How Many Colleges to Apply to

Yes—you can apply to just one school, especially if you’ve found your perfect fit and are certain. But for the vast majority of students, that’s a high-risk strategy. On the other hand, applying to 20+ schools often dilutes your efforts and raises costs without necessarily improving outcomes. 

At Great College Advice, we believe applying to around 8–12 schools—split into reach, target, and likely—is the sweet spot. It’s enough to give you strong options while still allowing you to thoughtfully craft each application and ultimately make a decision you’re excited about. 

Need help curating your list, refining essays, or comparing schools? We’re here to make the process clearer and more confident. 

If you’re wondering whether your current list is too big, too small, or just right — schedule a free consultation with our admissions team. Let’s make sure you’re applying strategically, not just broadly.

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.  

In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With over 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other. 

The post How Many Colleges Should I Apply To? first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

As the college admissions process continues to become more complex and more competitive, more and more high school students and families are turning to private college counselors for support and guidance. If your child is planning to go through the college application process soon, you may be wondering if you should hire a college counselor. There are advantages in working with an independent educational consultant in almost every situation, but here are four types of students in particular that would benefit from the experience of a college consulting firm like Great College Advice:

• High Achieving Students
• Students with Learning Differences
• International Families
• Students with Unique Skills like Athletes, Artists and Performers

Hire a College Counselor for High Achieving Students

The admissions processes and standards at top-tier colleges and universities are famously arduous and opaque. This means that it can be very difficult for high achieving students to know just how to communicate their accomplishments in a way that stands out to college admissions officers. Additionally, high achieving students may feel significant, even overwhelming, pressure to succeed. These students often face intense competition and high expectations, leaving them feeling stressed and uncertain about their future. High achieving students in this position may want to hire a college counselor for two reasons.

The first is that a college counselor can help high achieving students approach the admissions process strategically. This includes helping students showcase their unique strengths and accomplishments, maximizing their chances of admission to their dream schools. With acceptance rates at most highly selective universities like Yale and MIT below 10%, these colleges could fill their incoming class many times over with students with straight As and perfect to near perfect SAT scores. A college consultant can help students demonstrate to admissions officers that their talents will make a lasting contribution to their university.

The second reason that high achieving students may want to hire a college counselor is that college counselors can help students cope with the pressure and stress of elite college admissions. College counselors can serve as a coach, guide, and cheerleader, helping students maintain a sense of proportion as they navigate the college admissions process. 

Hire a College Counselor for Students with Learning Differences

Students with learning differences such as ADHD or dyslexia face unique challenges when it comes to the college admissions process. From requesting accommodations to finding the right supportive environment, navigating higher education can be particularly daunting for these students and their families. Students with learning differences may want to hire a college counselor who has experience in identifying the best university support services and knows the laws and policies surrounding learning accommodations.

A college consulting firm can work closely with students and their families to identify the unique needs and strengths of the student. Whether it’s advocating for appropriate accommodations, connecting students with supportive resources, or assisting with college selection, counselors play a crucial role in ensuring that students with learning differences have the tools and support they need to succeed in college. 

International Families

The US higher education system is complicated enough for parents who went through it decades ago. Whether a student is being raised in the United States or abroad, if the parents did not attend university in the United States, our educational system can be even more confusing and daunting. International families, or American families in which the parents were educated elsewhere, may want to hire a college counselor to guide them through the idiosyncrasies and nuances of American colleges and universities.

For families of international students, the process is even more complex than for families of students being raised in the United States due to challenges with visas, cultural differences, and added application requirements. A college counseling firm such as Great College Advice that has worked with many international families can help you understand the nuances and complexities of US higher education. They can also help walk you through various requirements, such as English proficiency requirements and visa requirements.

Students with Unique Talents and Experiences

For students with non-traditional high school trajectories, such as homeschoolers, athletes, performers, or those who may have had to take significant time off of school, the college admissions process can be extra confusing. These students may have unconventional transcripts, limited access to traditional extracurricular activities, or unique talents and experiences that they struggle to showcase effectively on their college applications. If this sounds like you, you may want to hire a college counselor who can help you understand your options and communicate your non-traditional path. 

A college counselor can work closely with students to develop a comprehensive application strategy that effectively communicates their unique background and accomplishments. Whether it’s crafting a compelling personal statement, documenting non-traditional educational experiences, or leveraging unique talents and achievements, independent educational consultants help students present themselves in the best possible light to colleges and universities. 

Need more advice on your college applications?

The team at Great College Advice has deep experience in guiding students along the road from high school to college. We provide individually tailored, one-on-one advising to help young people achieve their educational ambitions. If you’d like more information about our services, contact us today for your complimentary consultation.

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.  

In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With over 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other. 

The post When to Hire a College Counselor first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

How to get into Penn – Isaac’s ambitions

Isaac’s mother contacted Great College Advice toward the end of his sophomore year of high school. Her son was a straight-A student at a competitive school in suburban Denver, and he had it in his mind that he wanted to aim for the Ivy League and other top universities. She made it clear that this was his ambition, and that she and Isaac’s dad simply wanted to give him the best shot at achieving this goal.

Soon after, Isaac called. He asked us a number of hard questions. He clearly had been talking to other college consultants because he seemed to know what he wanted. As his mother indicated, Isaac was firmly in charge of the college admissions process from the very beginning. The Ivy League was his own goal—not one that had been planted in his brain by someone else. His mom contacted us later to say that Isaac had selected Great College Advice to guide him with the Elite package of services. Clearly this was a young man who wanted advice and was willing to incorporate it into his own plans.

The puzzle of how to get into Penn

Isaac was an academic specimen. Despite the extremely high rigor of his coursework at his very rigorous school, he did not have a single B grade on his transcript. He would go on to get super high standardized test scores, too. But, where Isaac fell short was his extracurriculars.

This is not to say that he wasn’t doing some awesome things. He played on the varsity baseball team as a 10^th grader; his team routinely won the annual state championship. He was a solid member of the school’s debate team, where he specialized in Public Forum. But, he was not yet a stand-out in debate. He was a leader in his local Jewish youth group. Isaac was also something of a news junkie; our conversations nearly always began with a review of the week’s headlines—especially in international affairs. Yet none of these activities were impressive enough to help him stand out in a field of tens of thousands of qualified applicants who would be applying to Penn (his first choice) and the other Ivies.

Isaac needed something more. But in order to achieve more, he would have to make some decisions.

As with so many top students, Isaac was extraordinarily busy. Baseball took up a lot of his time—especially during the season. Debate was also a very time-consuming activity requiring a ton of preparation. Isaac had intellectual interests beyond the classroom, but despite his love of reading, he didn’t have much time to dig into books beyond those assigned by his teachers.

A tough decision

Baseball was clearly part of the problem. Isaac loved baseball, but by his own admission, he wasn’t good enough to be recruited by a Division 1 Ivy League school. He also knew that he was unlikely to play baseball no matter which college he attended. His baseball career was coming to an end; it was just a matter of when. Still, Isaac was hesitant to give up the game. He loved it, and had some very tight friendships on the team.

Should he stay with the sport or not? Isaac wrestled with the question for weeks. Part of the problem was deciding how to use the time he might free up if he did quit. What would he do? Would he be able to build accomplishments fast enough and impressive enough to win him a place in the Ivy League? I couldn’t promise him that he could (though give Isaac’s drive, we thought it would be a good bet). We also warned him that he had to make a decision that he wouldn’t later regret—especially if he was denied by Penn.

He agonized over this decision. So did his parents: they wanted such a momentous decision to be his own.

Decision Made

Isaac eventually decided to drop baseball. He decided his own potential outweighed the risks. And he also figured he might learn some more things about himself along the way. (Spoiler alert: he was right!)

His new accomplishments

This decision was super difficult for Isaac. But once he made it, he poured himself into other things so that he could rack up more achievements:

• He began winning Public Forum debates, and he performed very well at the State level. In 11th grade, he became captain of the team.
• He deepened his own understanding of Middle East politics and then sought out a research assistantship at a local university with a professor who specialized in the subject.
• He applied for—and landed—a fantastic internship with a state representative at the Capitol, where he worked twice a week after school.
• Isaac ramped up his activity with his youth group and breathed some life into it by organizing new programming.

How to get into Penn? Write Some Awesome Essays

Then Isaac wrote some amazing essays. His Common App essay was a deeply personal account in which he was able to present an aspect of himself that caused him a lot of worry and psychological insecurity but that he was slowly conquering by broadening his perspective of what is truly important in life. He also wrote a supplemental essay about traveling to Israel with a large group of teens. He highlighted a particular experience that encapsulated the human dimensions of the conflict in Israel and Palestine. It was both wonderfully academic and intensely personal.

Outcome

Isaac applied Early Decision to Penn but was deferred. He was intensely disappointed, but handled it well. After three and a half months of agonizing limbo, Isaac was finally admitted to Penn in the regular round, and was breathlessly excited.

How to get into Penn or other Highly Selective Colleges

Clearly there is no one way–there are as many ways as there are Penn students. But two things are clear: a record of accomplishment and the need to focus on a few areas of interest where you can make the biggest impact.

A Record of Accomplishment both In and Out of the Classroom

First, there is no fixed timeline or formula that will result in an admissions offer from the Ivy League. What is important is that you do the things that you enjoy, and that you do them to the maximum. What Penn and other Ivy schools want is a record of accomplishment. They want to see that you are a high achiever…not just in the classroom, but in life more generally. Of course they like athletes, but if the athlete is not good enough to play on an Ivy League Division 1 team, then that athletic participation doesn’t mean a whole lot.

Focus on activities where you can make the biggest impact

Which leads to the second aspect: getting into the Ivies sometimes requires some tough decisions that must be made in conditions of uncertainty. Isaac couldn’t know–in advance–that his decision to drop baseball would be the right one. We know in retrospect that it probably was. But that made the decision no less difficult at the time. He really agonized. We had many conversations about it, and in some ways it was made even more difficult.

College preparation–like most of life–is about making tough decisions. In the end, Isaac’s decisions worked for him. And he learned a lot about himself in the process of making these decisions. He had to leave baseball behind, but he discovered new talents and new interests that he might never have had the time to explore had he stayed on the team. And that, too, is part of life’s beauty–and mystery.

So how do you get into Penn? Make good decisions, work hard, excel in as many ways as you can, and hope for some good luck!

Need help with how to get into Penn or other Ivy League universities?

The expert admissions counselors at Great College Advice can help you in every aspect of the college admissions process: high school course selection, extracurricular activities, standardized test planning, researching colleges, essay assistance, and overseeing the college application process.

Contact us today for your complimentary consultation.

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.  

In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With nearly 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other. 

The post How to Get Into Penn: The Case Study of Isaac first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

Almost always, the college will quote a higher rate of acceptance for Early Decision. This higher acceptance rate certainly makes Early Decision seem like a more favorable path for a student to take. But sometimes, the admissions officers leading the information session will try to explain why it’s actually NOT easier to get into Early Decision. How can this be?

Should I Apply Early Decision? It depends…

Well, it depends upon your interpretation of what “easier” means. And for whom. And of course, every school has a slightly different way of explaining it.

The explanation I’ve heard most frequently is that schools do not lower their admissions standards for Early Decision candidates. So, if you wouldn’t be qualified for admission as part of the Regular Decision pool, then applying early won’t give you a leg up on getting admitted. What do I mean by qualified? Some combination of GPA, course rigor, activities, and essay quality that is at least comparable to a typical applicant.

To put it bluntly, an unqualified ED candidate is the same as an unqualified RD candidate. Neither will gain admission.

ED Acceptance Rates Can be Inflated

Some schools will also explain–when pressed–that the  Early Decision acceptance rate is somewhat inflated. This is due to the fact that recruited athletes tend to appear in the ED applicant pool. So some smaller schools with a high percentage of recruited athletes (like Amherst or Bowdoin, for example), may accept large numbers of athletes in the early decision round, which then pumps up the acceptance rate for ED in a way that does not reflect the chances acceptance for the non-athlete.  

However, some universities, like Notre Dame, are asking their athletes not to apply early, but to apply in the regular decision round. Thus non-athletes applying in the restrictive early action round are not competing for slots with athletes.  

And at Georgetown, everything seems to be backwards:  the Early Decision round is purported to be more competitive and admissions more selective.  So it’s actually more difficult to get in if you apply ED to Georgetown.

The fact is that the answer to the question, “is it easier to get in if you apply Early Decision?” depends a lot on which college we’re talking about, and whether you are a desirable candidate for that school both generally (do you exceed the minimum sort of profile of accepted students?) and specifically (Do you have a hook? e.g., are you a fencing recruit?). 

This is always a problem with using statistics as a guide for calculating your chances of admission.  Statistics aggregate all candidates and give you an average acceptance rate for the entire pool of applicants.  The statistic does not measure YOUR individual chances of admission. 

If you’re a qualified candidate, will it be easier to get in if you apply Early Decision?

Does applying for Early Decision help you? Applying Early Decision tells a college that it is your top choice school. This certainly won’t hurt your candidacy! The college knows that it can count on you to be part of their student body. And this helps them to manage their overall admissions numbers.

The more students they know are coming based on the Early Decision option, the more sure they are that the incoming class will be full. Colleges have budgets to meet, and ED applicants are paying customers who make a promise to attend. Colleges like this predictability.

Therefore, schools are more and more inclined to admit a larger percentage of their incoming class from the Early Decision pool — as long as they are qualified! The greater the number of students who are admitted to Early Decision, the fewer slots are left for Regular Decision applicants. Given the astronomical application numbers at some of the more popular colleges and universities, ED can give you slight edge if you are a qualified candidate.  

If you’re applying for Regular Decision, and the number of spots is limited because so much of a class has already been admitted to Early Decision, then it stands to reason that your odds of acceptance may not be as great as if you had applied ED.

Early Decision and the manipulation of admissions statistics

Colleges know that many parents (and students) care about the perceived selectivity of a school. Many view a low admissions rate (again, the percentage of applicants who receive an offer) and high yield rate (the percentage of those accepted who actually attend) as proxies for the quality of a college, rightly or wrongly.  

Yield rates historically have varied considerably.  Harvard’s yield rate hovers around 85%, meaning that the vast majority of those who are accepted choose to attend (but note that 15% of accepted students decide to go somewhere else!). Other colleges and universities have had much lower yield rates.  About 10 years ago, Tulane had a yield rate of around 25%, meaning Tulane had to accept four students just to get one student to attend. 

But then Tulane got smart. The admissions folks calculated that if they accepted the majority of their class in the early decision round–in which the “yield rate” is 100%–then they could push that statistic higher. Today, Tulane’s yield rate is around 40%.

Now many other colleges are following suit by accepting larger and larger percentages of their incoming classes in the Early Decision rounds.

Early Decision 2 complicates things further

Colleges have approached the marketplace with yet another strategy to help them improve their statistics.  By implementing a second round of early decision, they can continue to lift their yield rate and drive down their overall admissions rate.

Many private colleges now have a second Early Decision round that allows students who are unsuccessful at their first choice college to give the same sort of promise to attend to their second choice college. Some universities (like Tulane) play the game of encouraging qualified RD applicants to enter into the ED2 pool. 

And the colleges win. They manage their budgets more easily, they drive up their overall yield rate, and they drive down the acceptance rate in the Regular Decision round–all of which serve the interests of the colleges.

Whether it serves the interests of an individual student sort of depends on your perspective.  

In any case, how should you–as an applicant–play this game?

So, is it easier to get in if you apply Early Decision?  

Kind of. Sort of. Maybe. Maybe not. If your credentials aren’t up to snuff for the school, then whether you apply Early or Regular Decision will make no difference. While miracles do happen, they happen extremely rarely. If you don’t have the grades, don’t have the academic rigor, and don’t have the test scores, then the marginal benefit of applying early won’t help you . You’d be better off applying early to a school where you are squarely in the middle of their accepted student profile. 

On the other hand, if you’re an excellent candidate for the school, then applying Early Decision may increase somewhat your odds of being accepted, though by how much is impossible to predict. Much depends on the admissions practices and priorities at individual universities. 

Where do you stand? How many applicants are you up against? Are you more or less qualified? It’s difficult to know. 

The bottom line is that you should not apply Early Decision to a school simply because you believe it will improve your chances of acceptance. Go early only if the school is by far your top choice.

Ask yourself, “If I got in everywhere else that’s on my list, would I still choose to go to this school?” If you can answer “yes” to this, then Early Decision is for you.

Need help deciding if you should apply Early Decision or Early Decision 2?

Are you still struggling to calculate your chances of getting in Early Decision? Are you unsure whether applying early is a good strategy for you? The expert counselors at Great College Advice routinely help their students navigate the complex application deadlines to tailor decisions that make the most sense for each individual student.  It’s one thing to get some general advice. But if you want some Great College Advice that takes your personal interests to heart, then contact us for a free consultation.  We’d be happy to talk to you.

Andrea Aronson
Educational Consultant, Westfield, NJ

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.  

In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With over 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other. 

The post Is It Easier to Get In If You Apply Early Decision? first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

The most important step in requesting letters of recommendation is that you ask the right teachers. Admissions officers want to hear insights about what type of student you are and how you are going to contribute to the academic community at their college. They want to know if you participate in class, complete your assignments and take a leadership role in group projects. But they also want to know if you go above and beyond the basics of being a good student.

Here are 6 steps to make sure you receive a great letter of recommendation:

• Get organized;
• Decide which teacher you want to ask;
• Continue to develop your relationship with the teacher;
• Ask well ahead of the deadline to give your teacher time to write a thoughtful LOR;
• Ask your teacher in person;
• Provide your teacher with relevant information to help them write a compelling LOR.

Here is a step-by-step guide for making sure your letters of recommendation (LORs) are the best they can be.

1. Get Organized Ahead of Time for your Letter of Recommendation

Talk to your college counselor to find out how the school handles teacher recommendations. At some schools, the guidance office will submit the teacher recommendations from your file to colleges directly, along with your transcripts and the school report. Some schools manage recommendations electronically through software packages like Naviance, while others are using functions on the Common App.

The point is that you must know the procedures at your school before you even get started. And you need to follow those procedures, so as to make the lives of your teachers and counselors as easy as possible. With some teachers writing dozens of letters each year, the more you can make things easy for your teacher to write your letter, your diligence and kindness will be reflected in their evaluation of you.

2. Decide Which Teachers Should Write your LORs

A good LOR tells a compelling story about the applicant. The story reflects the strengths—and perhaps a few weaknesses—of the candidate. A good letter contains some details, some examples, and some bits of information that bring the candidate to life for the reader. And a good letter might also provide information about the student’s intellectual growth and development over time. Therefore you need to choose a teacher who knows you well to write your letter.

You also need to make sure that you choose at least one teacher in a core academic discipline. You are applying to college, not to a resort or a team or to a service club. Admissions officers want to know about your performance and contributions to the classroom. If you like, you can add a second or third LOR from a band director, a coach, or the head of your youth group. These letters can help round you out as a person. But at least one LOR should be from an English, math, social studies, science, or foreign language teacher.

Finally, don’t assume that you should choose the teacher in whose class you are performing the best. Nor should it necessarily be the teacher of your favorite subject. As noted earlier, you need to identify the teacher who knows your work, who can tell some good stories, and who can highlight your positive personal qualities.

3. Establish a Relationship with Your Teachers

Well before you decide which teacher will write your LOR, you need to consider that a teacher will not know you very well unless you make an effort to get to know the teacher. Participate in class. Ask questions. Work hard. Go above and beyond what is required, to demonstrate your interest, your fortitude, and your proficiency.

Show up before or after school to ask questions, shoot the breeze, or comment about the course content. Express interest not only in the class but in the teacher. Obviously, you will get along better with some teachers than others. So focus your efforts on developing relationships with the teachers with whom you share some connection.

4. Request the Letter of Recommendation Well Ahead of the Deadline

Teachers are busy people. Don’t wait until the last moment to request a LOR. Avoid asking after your midterm or final exam—when they are still grading stacks of papers. Don’t assume that teachers will write letters during school vacations (you don’t want to work during vacations, and your teachers don’t, either). Look at your own deadlines for your college applications, and consider requesting the LOR at least a couple of months before the deadline, if not at the end of your junior year. Be considerate and respectful.

5. Ask The Teacher In Person

When you meet with your teacher to request a LOR, you will likely be nervous. Try not to worry. Teachers field these requests all the time, and they expect to be asked. Consider making your request after school or during a teacher’s off period. Don’t make the request via email or over the telephone. Do it in person: it makes a better impression.

Your request for a teacher letter of recommendation can go something like this:

“Ms. Smith, out of all my high school classes, I have enjoyed yours the most. I feel that I’ve learned a lot from you. You’re a great teacher, and I enjoy the material we are learning. I also think you bring out the best in me. I would like to ask whether you would be willing to write a strong letter of recommendation for me as I apply to colleges this year. Of all my teachers, I think you know me best, and I’d be pleased if you would write my recommendation.”

You want to be complimentary of the teacher, but you also want to convey a sense of pride in the work you have done in the class. If you have built a good relationship with this teacher, he or she will be delighted to give you an enthusiastic “yes,” if you craft your request in this way.

6. Provide Your Teacher with Adequate Information

After your teacher agrees to write a LOR, you should present them with a slim folder with everything the teacher needs to fulfill your request. The folder will contain a variety of documents (see below) that will help him in writing a detailed letter filled with anecdotes about your skills and abilities. Presenting this folder immediately will convey how seriously you take the teacher—and the recommendation.

The teacher letter of recommendation folder should contain:

• Your resume;
• Your personal statement, assuming you have completed it;
• A short “statement of purpose” that outlines the sort of college you hope to attend and why you think that sort of college would be best for you. Write one or two solid paragraphs. Make sure to focus on the academic issues related to your college choice, so that the teacher can provide specific information to support your application.
• A full list of the colleges to which you are applying with application deadlines clearly stated. If you are applying to particular departments, scholarships, or other special programs, makes sure to clarify that information for the teacher.
• The recommendation form or forms the teacher will need to complete (note this might be the form your high school uses, or it could be the form from the application platform you will be using, such as the Common App). Or you might include the form from each individual college to which you are applying.
• Your contact information, including phone number, home address, and email address, in case the teacher has any questions.
• A short note of personal thanks to express your appreciation.

What makes a good teacher letter of recommendation?

Below are some of the insights that colleges are often looking for. Think about how you perform in each of your classes and if any of your teachers would be able to describe you as one of these students.

The Intellectually Curious 

Colleges often say they are looking for students who are “intellectually curious”. What does that mean? Well, do you ask insightful questions? Do you not only participate in class discussions but provide insights that encourage your peers to think of things in a new way? Do you research a topic beyond what is covered in class and the textbook?

The Helper

Are you the type of student that helps others in the class?  Some students learn materials better if they teach others.

The Leader, but not the Dominator

It is great to show that you have leadership skills by taking charge of a group project, but it is important to make sure you don’t take it over.  A true leader is able to bring out the best in everyone in the group so that everyone contributes to the project in a constructive way.

The Most Improved

Most students feel that if they have struggled in a class, then they should definitely not ask that teacher for a letter of recommendation, but this could not be further from the truth. If you have had to work twice as hard as everyone else to succeed in a course, then this could be a great letter of recommendation.

The Motivated to Succeed

Are you the type of student who asks for help? Do you often strike up a conversation with your teachers outside of class? Do you ask for feedback before a paper is due so you can turn in the best work possible?

Some students assume that there is nothing they can do to ensure that the letters are glowing testimonials. While you can’t really expect to sit in the room looking over the shoulder of your teacher as he writes the letter, there are many things you can do to increase the likelihood that the teacher writes a strong letter that will impress admissions officers everywhere.

FAQs about a Letter of Recommendation for College

How many college recommendation letters do I need?

As in so many things in life, the priority here is on quality, not quantity. Generally, most colleges want one counselor recommendation and one teacher recommendation. I advise my students to obtain two solid recommendations from teachers. At least one should be from a teacher in a core subject (math, English, science, social studies, or foreign language).

The second can be from another core teacher, or from an elective teacher who knows you well or in an area that the student hopes to pursue in college (a budding actor needs a letter from the drama teacher, for example). In some cases, a third letter from a coach, a youth group leader, or some other adult who plays a significant role in the student’s life may be included. Admissions officers spend a total of about seven minutes reviewing an applicant’s file. A pile of letters that say essentially the same thing will be more of a hindrance than a help.

My dad knows Senator Longbottom from my state. Should I get him to write me a letter of recommendation for college?

Not unless Senator Longbottom knows you really well and can say something new, different, or eye-opening for the admissions committee that is not otherwise in your application. Gratuitous letters from bigwigs will not impress anyone. The admissions officers want to know first and foremost about your life in the classroom. 

Can I request a letter of recommendation for college via email?

No. Many high schools now have automated systems for requesting letters of recommendation. These are fine for processing and for making the lives of teachers and counselors easier. If your school uses such a system, you need to adapt your request to accommodate an electronic delivery system. But you should NOT request the recommendation this way. Make your request in person, then follow it up with the electronic request. A face-to-face request shows maturity and respect. 

What if my teacher turns down my request for a letter of recommendation?

It happens very rarely. Usually, it occurs only when a student does not carefully consider whom to ask in the first place. Reasons for rejection vary. Some teachers are too busy. Some teachers will not write letters to students they don’t know well. And some teachers are brutally honest: they will not write a letter unless they can write a strong, supportive one.

You have little choice to respect the teacher’s decision and seek one from another. Don’t despair, however; a teacher who turns you down would be unlikely to have written a good recommendation, anyway. Better to opt for your second choice than to get a letter that is weak or (worse) negative.

Should I waive my right to see a recommendation? Should it be strictly confidential?

A confidential letter is best. Some teachers will provide you with a copy, anyway. But it is better for the admissions officer to believe that the teacher is not sharing his or her comments with you directly. The teacher, too, should feel comfortable about being honest in the recommendation. Often the strongest letters are actually ones that include a couple of insights into the student’s relative weaknesses.

These insights can help highlight a teacher’s strengths (plus, a letter that goes on and on with nothing but superlatives really doesn’t say much of anything). If you have chosen your recommender carefully, you need not fret that the letter will say something bad about you. So waive your right to see it, and give that letter an extra measure of weight in the eyes of the admissions officer who reads it.

How can I build a better relationship with my teachers before I ask them for a letter of recommendation for college?

Though it may seem somewhat surprising, teachers are human. They like it when students show an interest in them, and in what they are teaching. So engage with your teacher as a human and as an instructor. Ask questions in class. Come after school or before school with a question (even if you know the answer—sometimes it helps just to get the teacher talking!).

Express your thanks. On a day when you feel the class was particularly good or the teacher was in fine form, tell her so. If you enjoyed a particular project or assignment, say so as you hand it in (don’t wait to complain about the grade after it is returned). You want to be an eager, conscientious student.

How can I thank the writer of my letter of recommendation for college?

The best form of gratitude is to act grateful. Write a thank you note (not an email—a handwritten note on a nice card) after you have confirmed that the colleges have received their letters.

Make sure to let your recommenders know where you are accepted: run by their office between classes and share your good news, and say thanks for the recommendation. Write another nice note at the end of the year, just before graduation, to let them know how much you appreciate their help in getting you through high school and into college.

And, if you really want to make a teacher’s day, week, month, or year, send him a note or two from college. Let them know how you’re doing. Share some good news. Relate what you are learning in college to something you learned in their classroom. Nothing warms a jaded teacher’s heart like a genuine note of thanks from a former student.

Need help with the college admissions process?

The expert admissions counselors at Great College Advice can not only assist with your LOR strategy but also help with high school course selection, extracurricular activities, researching colleges, essay support and overseeing the college application process.

Contact us today for your complimentary consultation.

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.  

In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With over 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other. 

The post 6 Tips for a Great Letter of Recommendation first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

Here’s the answer:

Easy. Grades. Hands down.

Why is that? Well, the answer is pretty simple, really.  Schools like to admit people who perform well at school. Certainly, it’s nice to be an all-conference left fielder or volunteer hundreds of hours at your favorite non-profit. And colleges will be happy if you want to bring those talents with you to their school. But not unless you have the GPA and academic rigor to do well in the classroom. Grades are more important than your extracurricular activities.

Many students, however, would prefer to believe that the grades on their transcript don’t matter much. After all, we have all read or heard second-hand stories that being involved in many activities can sway an admissions office decision.

But the point is this: grades are the measure of your work in school. They are the assessments of your academic performance. And they are recorded and presented to college admissions offices on your transcript. 

The Importance of Your High School Transcript

The number one most important element of your college application is your transcript. The transcript is the record of your academic performance. It gives information about the rigor of your courses (e.g., honors, college prep, remedial, Advanced Placement, etc.), as well as your performance (your grades in those classes). You have a GPA that is a mathematical representation of your performance through high school. And this GPA is used to compare your performance with other students at your school. They will recalculate your GPA to standardize across applicants, focusing on your real GPA.

College admissions officers read and re-read your transcript. They will focus on your primary academic subjects, including math, English, science, social studies, and world languages. They will pay much less attention to your grades in your “extracurricular pursuits done while in school,” including music, theater, business, art, debate, and sports conditioning.

These subjects are academically light-weight. Your grades in these subjects may say more about your dedication than they do about your talent. I mean, it’s nice to have good grades in these “extracurricular” subjects, because they demonstrate you are responsible and that you have a decent work ethic. 

School Is School (Not an Extended Holiday)

But again, a college is a “school,” not a Fun-Zone (okay, okay, college can be fun, but the real work of the college is done in the classroom). Colleges want to know whether you can analyze literature, perform a chemistry experiment, identify the causes of the Vietnam War, or solve difficult geometry problems. So they will focus on your grades in the core academic subjects. 

Admissions officers may also likely recalculate your grade point averages. They will probably strip the extra little points you may get for honors or AP or IB courses. They do this so that they can really compare your performance against others in the same class in the same school.

The fact you got a B in that AP US History course but that you got a “bump” in your GPA to make it “equal” an A does not wipe away the incontrovertible fact that you did not get an A in AP US History. College admissions officers are well aware of the shenanigans high schools engage in to reward students for taking hard courses.

So your high school transcript is more important than just about everything in the admissions process.  

But there are some other things that are also super-important–more so than your extracurricular achievements.

Standardized Test Scores

The other academic factor is your test score on the ACT or SAT. While these scores are not really a measure of your intelligence or your classroom abilities, they are measures of how well you understand English and basic mathematical computation. These fundamental academic skills are important if you are to succeed in college. The colleges that require these scores are giving you a chance to show off those skills.

Now much has been said about the diminishing importance of standardized tests in the admissions process. Many colleges and universities remain “test-optional” after first doing so in 2020. But, some elite . Here is the most updated list from the College Board, which includes MIT, Dartmouth, Harvard, Brown, Cornell, and others.

But even if colleges remain test-optional, you should still attempt the test. A strong test score is another academic feather in your cap that demonstrates your prowess in the classroom. It is an imperfect measure of your intellectual gifts, but it certainly gives college admissions officers some solid information about your basic mathematical and English communication skills–not to mention your ability to do well on standardized tests!

What’s more, a good test score might help you score some merit scholarship dollars at your preferred college (assuming that your preferred college awards merit-based scholarships…many of the most selective colleges do not). 

Teacher Recommendations

Other academic factors also enter the mix at most colleges. The first is your teacher recommendations. Not all colleges require them, but certainly, the more selective ones generally do. These recommendations do not focus on all your extracurricular achievements—but on your curricular ones.

Your teacher knows very well how you do in the classroom, whether your assignments show sophistication and your tests indicate mastery of the material. For more about getting great letters of recommendation for college, see this post.

Extracurricular Achievements

Once admission officers have considered these academic factors, they will turn to your extracurricular achievements. These activities can show dedication, perseverance, and distinctive talents, and often provide a platform for developing leadership abilities. So extracurricular accomplishments are definitely important. Every admissions office wants to fill their class with hard-driving, creative, and interesting people who are willing to make their college a better place.

But they won’t just skip over your poor academic performance and let you in because you can run fast and debate with the best of them. They may admire your creativity, but if you can’t demonstrate that you can hack the algebra and the five-paragraph essay, you won’t get in. The fact remains that grades are more important than your extracurricular activities.

Summary: Which is More Important — Grades or Extracurricular Activities?

If you haven’t figured it out before, there is a clear answer to this question: grades. Extracurricular activities can be important, not only for college admission but for giving you fun and interesting experiences throughout high school. And beyond.

But in the college admissions process, your grades are far and away more important. If you don’t have the grades, no amount of extracurricular achievement can make up for your inability to perform well in school.

So if you want to go to college, go study!

Need help with the college admissions process?

The expert admissions counselors at Great College Advice can help with high school course selection to balance rigor with GPA. We also provide assistance in developing your extracurricular activities along with researching colleges, essay support and overseeing the college application process.

Contact us today for your complimentary consultation.

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.  

In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With nearly 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other. 

The post Which Is More Important — Grades or Extracurricular Activities? first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

A good or bad alumni interview alone may not seal your fate with respect to college admissions. However, it can be the thing that tips the scale one way or the other if the admissions office is unsure of your candidacy. The more selective college receive tens of thousands of applications from qualified applicants each year, and they only have a limited number of spots to fill in their freshman class. 

What this means is that they are looking for reasons to deny applicants. So, you want to put your best foot forward in every aspect of your application, and that includes the alumni interview.

After years of alumni interviewing, talking to kids from various parts of New Jersey, I’ve seen it all. And, let me tell you, sometimes it ain’t pretty! Some students have left me incredibly impressed. While others have left me wondering why they were even bothering to apply to my alma mater.

Interviewing is an art, but it’s an art that can be learned with some common sense and practice.

So here is our insiders guide to the alumni interview do’s and don’ts:

• Don’t blow off the interview;
• Be on time;
• Dress appropriately;
• Make eye contact with the alumni interviewer;
• Be energetic and positive;
• Research the school ahead of time;
• Prepare questions;
• Write a thank you note

Here’s a list of alumni interview do’s and don’ts to help you prepare

Don’t blow off the interview

Even though you may think that the alumni interview isn’t an important piece of the application. If an alumni interviewer reaches out to you to arrange an interview, go for it. And, once arrangements have been made, be sure that you show up! I once had confirmed an interview with a student, and then the student never appeared. He didn’t call or email me to explain. 

He was a complete no-show! Needless to say, the student wasn’t admitted. He finally did contact me after admissions decisions came out and asked me why he hadn’t been admitted. I didn’t have an answer for him because, truly, I didn’t know. Alumni interviewers aren’t privy to the rest of the student’s application. But, I do know that blowing off the interview with me didn’t help his cause!

Be on time

I can’t tell you the number of times that a student has shown up tardy to one of my interviews. This is not only rude, but it gives the interviewer a negative impression of you from the start. Alumni are volunteering their services to interview you, so you should be respectful of them and their time. You probably have a grace period of about ten minutes after the start of your interview time to show up. If you are going to be much later than this. CALL the interviewer to let them know that you are running late and give them an approximate time of when you will arrive.

Dress appropriately

When going to your alumni interview, you don’t need to wear a suit and tie if you’re a male or fancy outfit if you’re a female (though you may want to dress in this fashion for an on-campus interview), but you should dress neatly and conservatively. This means no flip-flops, no t-shirts, no jeans, and no tank tops. Think business casual. 

While not all interviewers will have an issue with a more “relaxed” outfit, some certainly will, and you just don’t know whom you’ll be talking to. By dressing appropriately, you’ll show your interviewer that you are taking the discussion seriously.

Looking for questions that might be asked in the alumni interview? Click here.

Make eye contact with the alumni interviewer

More than likely, you will be somewhat nervous when you go in for your interview. But this shouldn’t mean that you spend your time talking to the floor, or the window, or the table! By making eye contact, you will show the interviewer that you are engaged in the discussion and that you have the poise and maturity necessary to attend their school.

Want to learn more about how you can nail the college admissions interview? Watch this video.

Be energetic and positive

Attitude and mood are infectious. If you are upbeat and have lots of energy, your interviewer will feed off of this, and you will have a better interview. Remember that nobody likes a whiner. Even if you have nothing good to say about a subject that you are discussing with your interviewer, find a nice way of discussing it. For example, don’t say how much you hate the kids in your high school because they’re all a bunch of idiots, and you can’t wait to get the heck out of the school. 

Instead, talk about how much you’re looking forward to going to college and meeting up with new people who have common interests to yours.

Think about what you want the school to know about you.

Don’t go into your alumni interview cold. Give some thought to what points you want to make during your interview, and then figure out a way to introduce those things during the course of your discussion. Prepare by making a simple list ahead of time, and by looking at possible interview questions (see my earlier post here) and coming up with some possible answers. Thinking through your story ahead of time will help you to be more at ease during the discussion.

Research the school ahead of time

Before you head into the alumni interview, know what the school offers and why you want to go there. I’m not talking about general stuff, like where it’s located or how big it is. I’m talking about programs of study and what makes that school unique. By being able to show the interviewer that you’ve done your homework and that you have a real reason why you want to go there besides the school being a “brand name,” you’ll be three steps ahead of most interviewees.

I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve asked a student why they think that my alma mater is the right place for them, and they respond. “Because Hanover is beautiful, and I really like the outdoors!” Shallow responses lead me to believe that the interest in my school is pretty shallow, too.

Prepare questions 

Hand in hand with researching the school, be sure to come into the interview with some meaningful questions for the interviewer. A caveat about alumni interviews:  most alumni to whom you will be speaking will not have attended the school for many years. That means that they may not know much in the way of current information about the school. Asking them questions about that new, cool double major that’s just been introduced will probably not get much of a response.

Instead, you can always ask alums about their experience at the school. What was their favorite aspect of their time there?

Don’t be arrogant

Even if the school for which you are interviewing is not your top choice, don’t ever let the interviewer know it. Alumni interviewers volunteer their time because they are loyal to and love their alma maters. They don’t want to hear that their school is your “safety”. On the other hand, you don’t need to tell them that it’s your top choice, either (though you can, if it is). You simply need to be enthusiastic about the prospect of going to their school if you get accepted. After all, if you’re not enthusiastic, then why are you applying there in the first place?

Write a thank you note

In the age of email, it’s easy to write an immediate thank you to your interviewer before the alum even gets a chance to write up their recommendation about you. Yet, most students neglect to take this simple step in the alumni interview. A thank you note is not only a common courtesy that will be welcomed by your interviewer. But it’s another opportunity to “sell” yourself and reinforce to the interviewer why you want to go to their alma mater and why you are a good fit.

In your note, you should reference part of your conversation to help to further personalize the message.

No doubt, an alumni interview can be scary and intimidating. But with some preparation, you will find that it can actually be an enjoyable experience!

Andrea Aronson
College Admissions Counselor
Westfield, NJ

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.  

In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With over 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other. 

The post How to Prepare for the College Alumni Interview first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

Because of the increasing number of applicants, more and more colleges are starting to tap their network of alumni to conduct prospective student interviews in place of on-campus interviews. As an alumni interviewer for my undergraduate alma mater — Dartmouth College — for many years now, I want to provide you with a first-hand peek into the process. This post gives you a full list of alumni interview questions. 

I’ll start by saying that every college prepares its interviewers slightly differently. Some give loose guidelines about how to approach the discussion with the student while others provide far greater specificity in what the interviewer is supposed to do and ask. 

Further, depending on the location in which you are interviewed, the volunteer alumni interviewers may have more or less training in how to successfully interview candidate for admission. 

In all cases, however, the goal of the interview is to humanize the application process. Understanding what makes a student unique can be very difficult to glean from the black and white pages of an application. The interview can shed light on how a student thinks and interacts thereby presenting the real, whole person, not just words on a page. 

Need more info on how to prepare for the alumni interview? Click here. 

How does the interviewer get to understand the whole person during the interview? By asking lots of questions, of course! Interviewers may try to explore many different aspects of the student’s world from academics to extracurriculars to personal life to future plans to level of interest in the college. 

So, what kind of alumni interview questions can students expect when they sit across the table from me? Here are some examples: 

Alumni Interview Questions About Academics/High School Experience 

• Tell me what courses you’ve taken and if you have a favorite or least favorite one. If you do, why is it your favorite/least favorite subject? 

• What do you think are the strengths/weaknesses of your high school? 

• If you had to go back and do your high school experience all over again, what would you change and why? 

• Do you have a favorite teacher? If so, why is he/she your favorite?  What makes the teacher good? 

• Have you encountered a particular academic challenge during your years in high school? If so, what was it and how did you handle it? 

• Is there something that you will always remember from your high school experience? 

• If you could create your own course in high school, what would it be and why is it of interest to you? 

• Tell me about a particularly “hot” issue that has arisen in your high school and your thoughts on it. 

• If your teachers were to describe you to me, what words would they use? 

• Can you discuss a project or paper that you were particularly proud of during your high school career? 

• What are you doing to challenge yourself either in school or out of school? 

• Name a book you’ve read recently outside of school. Did you like it/dislike it? (Note: this is one of the most common alumni interview questions). 

Extracurriculars and Interests 

• What are your most notable interests and hobbies, and how are you pursuing them? 

• What activities are you involved in at school? Which are the most important to you? 

• What have you personally gotten out of your involvement in your activities? 

• Do you have what you would consider to be any particularly unique interests? 

• Are there any accomplishments that you are particularly proud of with respect to your activities? 

• How have you spent your summers while in high school? 

Alumni Interview Questions About Personal Life 

• How would you describe your hometown? 

• Tell me about your family. 

• What words would your friends use to describe you? 

• What is your most embarrassing moment? 

• Tell me what 3 books I’d have to read to get a better sense of who you are. 

• Talk about an ethical dilemma that you’ve faced and how you’ve handled it. (Note: This is one of those alumni interview questions that also can appear as an essay question on the application). 

• If you had one year and unlimited funds, what would you do? 

• How do you want people to remember you? 

• If you had a weekend with absolutely nothing scheduled, how would you spend your time? 

• What’s your opinion on (a current event)? 

• What would you change about yourself? 

• Do you have a “bucket list”? What are some things about it? 

• Do you have a hero/heroine? If so, who and why do you hold him/her in such high esteem? 

College/Future Plans 

• How would you contribute to life on a college campus? 

• What are you looking forward to most about college? 

• Do you have an idea about what you would like to major in? 

• What would you like to do after college? 

Alumni Interview Questions About School Interest 

• If you were standing in front of the admissions committee, what would you tell them to convince them to admit you? What makes you unique? 

• Describe the kind of college environment you are looking for. 

• Why are you interested in my school? 

• Why do you think that my school is a good fit for you? 

• What have I not told you that you want to know about the school? (a.k.a. What questions do you have for me?) 

While you can’t anticipate every question that an interviewer might ask, the questions above give you a good sampling of areas that your interviewer might explore. Spending some time pondering these alumni interview questions can go a long way to preparing yourself before you have your interview. 

Andrea Aronson 

College Admissions Advisor, Westfield NJ 

Ready to get started with the college admissions process?

The team at Great College Advice has deep experience in guiding students along the road from high school college. We provide individually tailored, one-on-one advising to help students achieve their college dreams. If you’d like more information about our services, contact us for a free consultation. Or just pick up the phone and call us at 720.279.7577.  We’d be happy to chat with you.

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.   

In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With nearly 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other. 

The post What to Expect in Your College Alumni Interview first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

Students will be sending in their Early Decision (ED) applications to meet the November 1 deadline with most colleges emailing their Early Decision notifications in mid-December. It’s one of the times of the year when the team at Great College Advice have our fingers and toes crossed very hard for our students who have applied ED. It seems like a strange time to be asking, “is early decision binding or not?”

The question has received a lot more attention recently following a New York Times article (paywall) discussing how Tulane punished a Colorado private high school after a student backed out of their ED agreement with Tulane. As we don’t have all the details of this particular situation, we will refrain from giving our opinion. But it’s important for families to understand how these ED agreements work.

Applying early decision (ED) is not a good idea for every college applicant. For some, sending out a single application could be financially foolish because it carries a binding agreement to attend that school no matter what. For others, if you’re applying ED to a college you’re not excited about just because you’ve been told that it improves your admission odds then that is not a good decision either.

But, we also sympathize with families. The college process can be unfair. Universities like Tulane take roughly 2/3 of its class in its Early Decision rounds. It’s virtually impossible to be accepted in Tulane’s regular decision round. And, yes, for many selective universities the acceptance rate is higher in ED. If you truly have a dream school and financial aid is not an issue, then ED makes sense. If not, then think carefully about whether early decision is right for you.

So Is Early Decision Binding or Not?

But let us clarify our position: we don’t advocate that students and their families renege on the binding ED agreement. The only justifiable grounds for getting out of this agreement is insufficient financial aid. If financial situations are such that parents simply cannot (or will not) be able to pay for college, the family (along with the student’s high school counselor) should communicate with the financial aid office and ask to be released from the agreement.

But it’s MUCH better to never get yourself into this sort of predicament in the first place. Again, if you go back and read our article explaining how ED works, you’ll understand that colleges have less incentive to offer the best financial aid packages to early applicants. Of course, colleges will say that they offer equivalent packages to ED and regular applicants. But, there is no way of proving or disproving their claim. Colleges do not divulge all their records and offers publicly. The logic of the situation (plus long talks with admissions officers off the record over beers) indicates that this is how colleges do business.

Therefore, if ever a family comes to us with any indication that financial aid awards will be central to the decision about where their kid goes to college we de-emphasize ED. This allows families to do some comparison shopping later in the spring. (It’s okay to apply Early Action, however, as these admissions programs carry no binding agreement).

When selecting a college, cost needs to be one of the most important factors for most families. But there are other considerations involved too. And it’s hard to make a general rule when each family’s financial circumstances are different.

Our point is that no student should ever renege on their ED agreement if they have done their homework. They will never get in a situation in which backing out of an ED agreement is necessary to maintain a family’s financial health.

What if I need to talk to someone to ask whether early decision is binding or not?

If you need professional guidance to explore your own circumstances and to discuss the binding nature of your early decision agreement, please reach out to Great College Advice. Every year we help families understand the nuances of the college admissions process so that they can maximize their priorities in the college decision. Please contact us here.

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.  

In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With nearly 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other. 

The post Is Early Decision Binding or Not? first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

The short answer is yes. So don’t panic!

How to make changes to a college application

In most cases, you cannot actually change the application. Once it is sent, you cannot alter it. You probably even made a declaration when submitting saying something to the effect that “I understand that once I submit my application, it cannot be changed.”

So the only way to make the change is to contact the admissions office. You will need to write an email.

Who shall I contact to make changes on a college application?

Preferably, you’ll email the admissions officer who is going to read your application. Most admissions offices read by geographic reason, and most admissions websites will have a tool for you to find the admissions officer responsible for your state and high school. So take the time to look up who this person is. You may even find a bio on the website that tells you a bit about them.

Once you have found that person, compose an email. It doesn’t need to be long or involved. It just needs to state the facts and request an alteration.

Some instances in which you might want to make changes to a college application

• Your mom decided to read your essay “one more time” and found an error. Send admissions offices an updated PDF version of your essay and ask them to replace it with the copy submitted with your application.
• Your history grade improved from the C reported on your first quarter grades to a respectable B because you aced your last exam. Kindly ask your history teacher to write a few comments about your improved grade and sign it. Scan the letter and email it to all of the schools you have applied to and put a hard copy in the mail.
• The mayor of your city has just recognized a non-profit organization that you helped create. Cut the article out of the newspaper and mail it into the schools you applied to, along with a letter. If you can provide a link to the article, send an email in as well.
• If it was something you inadvertently left blank but wanted to answer, give the answer in the same format in which the original question was answered. For example, if you left out an activity, provide the activity in the same format that is required on the Common App. There are specific character limits for each of the blanks, and required information about when you participated in this activity. Follow that same pattern exactly.
• If you answered a question wrong (i.e., you wrote your test scores incorrectly, or you clicked the wrong box for citizenship), just explain the error concisely and provide the new, corrected response.

Do NOT spend a lot of time apologizing. Do express regret, but do so without a lot of wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth.  Just apologize, and then express gratitude to the recipient of your email for taking the time to make the correction.

Accidents happen.  Things go wrong.  People make mistakes.  Generally, admissions officers are understanding of these little goofs, and are happy to make the changes in your file.

In fact, it’s better to recognize the mistake early and make the correction than let the admissions officer read the incorrect information and make a judgment on your application before you have a chance to communicate the error.

So if you find a mistake, correct it!  It is possible to make changes to a college application even after it is submitted.

Remember that it is important to provide colleges with all of the information they need to make an informed decision about your application. Just because application deadlines have passed does not mean that you can not submit additional information.

Ready to get started with the college admissions process?

The team at Great College Advice has deep experience in guiding students along the road from high school college. We provide individually tailored, one-on-one advising to help students achieve their college dreams. If you’d like more information about our services, contact us for a free consultation. Or just pick up the phone and call us at 720.279.7577.  We’d be happy to chat with you.

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.  

In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With nearly 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other. 

The post How To Make Changes to a College Application first appeared on College Admission Counseling.