Answers To The 7 Most Common College Admissions Questions

I'll be on the road visiting colleges next week, so in my absence I thought I'd share some previous AdmissionsAdvice.com articles that answer the most common questions student ask about college admissions. I'll return on June 27.

1. What do I need to know about financial aid? Learning the in's and out's of financial aid takes time, but the effort is worth it. The more you know upfront about the process of applying for financial aid, and how it is awarded, the smoother the process is likely to go. To help you get started, I've pulled together 10 of the best financial aid resources on the web that you can use right now.

2. How do I make sure I have a good college list? Many rising seniors and parents are still weighing college options as they try to come up with a final college list. A good college list, however, should be more than just a list of names - it should be a solid plan. Here's my advice on how to build a better college list.

3. How many colleges should I apply to? This is a perenial question, asked by seniors and their parents every year. Here are factors to consider as you weigh how many colleges should be on your final list.

4. Where should I look for information? The Internet is the world's biggest college search tool, but not every resource on the Internet is reliable. Here are some
tips for getting the most out of the Internet.

5. Should I apply Early Decision? The Early Decision choice shouldn't be made without careful thought. Here are some questions to ask yourself to see if Early Decision is the right choice.

6. What do admissions people want? While the basics -- grades, test scores, essays -- are obvious, less obvious factors also play a role in how your college applications will play in admissions. Read what several college admissions people had to say about how applicants enhance and, sometimes, diminish their chances.

7. How do I write a great college essay? Summer is a great time to start thinking about what you'll say in your college essays. Here are some resources to help you get started:

Essay writing tips from admissions officers

How to write successful college essays

How to handle "Why this college?" essay questions

Telling your story in your college essays, Part 1

Telling your story in your college essays, Part 2