FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about College Admissions

  • While grades and test scores are both important admissions factors, colleges place more emphasis on grades. Not just any grades, but grades in rigorous classes. In fact, colleges tell us that the first thing they look for in a student’s application is strength of curriculum. Admissions officers consider students in the context of their high school environments. For example, if your school’s curriculum includes an array of AP courses and you’re taking advantage of them, you’ll receive their highest consideration. Colleges want students who challenge themselves with the hardest classes in which they can do well. A grade of B in a high-level course is preferable to an A in a standard class. Don’t panic – you’re not locked into taking AP or IB level classes in every subject – most students are more comfortable with either the English/history or math/science area. You can be strategic in choosing your tough classes!

    Since every high school’s curriculum and grading system is unique, colleges have long relied on test scores from the SAT and ACT to measure student ability. However, research has raised serious issues. Students with learning differences often have difficulty with standardized assessments, and low-income, first-generation students often lack access to the test prep services that enable more affluent students to raise their scores. The National Center for Fair & Open Testing maintains a database of over 1,000 four-year colleges and universities that do not use the SAT or ACT to admit substantial numbers of bachelor-degree applicants. Policies vary among schools: some require scores, some consider scores, and others ignore scores.

    The Covid-19 pandemic greatly expanded the number of test-optional schools starting in 2020 when testing centers closed during the early months of the pandemic. Although many colleges continued these test-optional policies well into the pandemic, data provided by some of them suggest that submitting good scores correlates well with college acceptances. Florida’s twelve state universities never embraced the test-optional movement; they all require SAT or ACT scores for admission as do the more selective state universities in Georgia as well as Georgetown and MIT, among others. Our recommendation is for students to take the SAT or ACT and submit scores if they are competitive. We’re happy to schedule a consultation to help determine the best course of action for your SAT/ACT testing.

  • The astounding amount of personal information available on the web renders social media a powerful force! Don’t ditch it, but make sure yours is squeaky clean and enhances your application by showcasing honors, achievements, and especially any activities that show how you are helping your community.

  • While colleges like all kinds of extracurricular activities, they prefer “angled” students rather than “well-rounded” students! Don’t think that you have to join a million clubs to be considered. Instead of a “laundry list” of memberships, concentrate on “depth of commitment” in a few areas of your own interest. Colleges appreciate students who have effected positive change in their communities, particularly in situations where the student has identified a need and taken the initiative to address it. Leadership, initiative, and collaboration are particularly valued in any activity.

  • Applying for college involves a lot of research. Acceptance rates are going down, and the trends are constantly changing. If you have time to do the research, you can find the right school and craft a quality application. However, if you simply don't have the time, we will do the research for you and help your student find the right fit: academically, socially, and financially.