March 2012
1 post
ohgermanlove asked: I'm taking AP Physics B as a sophomore and not doing very well in the class. First semester I scraped by with a C, and if I improve at all second semester, it won't be by much. My GPA dropped significantly first semester this year. My cumulative went from a 3.9 to a 3.71. My semester GPA was 3.2, and second semester freshmen year I managed to have a 3.95. So it's a significant drop....
February 2012
4 posts
Anonymous asked: I am in the second semester of my senior year so all of my apps are in and I have received some acceptances already. However, I am concerned about a sport that I listed on my applications. I said that I would play this sport on its Varsity team during my senior year on my apps but I am thinking about dropping it second semester. If I do drop the sport, should I report it to all the colleges I...
sebuttstian asked: Would college look down on me if I have no "major awards"? Because I only have a few student of the year awards at my school, and hopefully will get an AP scholar one, but that's it.
6 tags
You Are Not Your GPA: Four "What-If" Scenarios and...
GPA anxiety seems to be the new epidemic among the college-bound slice of the internet these days. We know your GPA represents years of hard work, but at the end of the day, how much can one little number really say about you as a student? Here’s five common GPA-related worries we’ll do our best to reassure you about.
Scenario 1: What if…you had a bad first year?
AB...
8 tags
Anonymous asked: Do major university, such as University of Washington or University of California Los Angles, prefer a student taking AP courses at high school or a student taking the dual enrollment programs at local community colleges?
January 2012
2 posts
5 tags
Anonymous asked: Hi! So I just got into a really good college BUT I am really worried that my acceptance might be withdrawn because I am struggling in AP Calculus AB. It has a reputation of being super hard but people with Cs will most likely get a 4 or a 5 in the AP test. So I'm getting a C right now, I'm really trying to pull it up to a B. But is there a chance that they might remove my acceptance even...
December 2011
7 posts
Anonymous asked: Hi AB, I just got deferred by my First Choice to which I applied ED. I know that only around 5-10% of the deferred applicants will be admitted during RD and that my chances are really slim... but I still wanna hold my hopes high and do whatever it takes to increase my chance. Can you please suggest what I should do now? I read that I can send in supplementary materials and a letter, but I...
5 tags
Best of Luck from AB to You
Fingers crossed and best of luck to everyone who will be receiving an Early Decision or Early Action decision today!
For those of you who still have a few days (or months) to wait, or whose decisions have already come, we hope everything turns out swimmingly and remind you that no matter where you end up, you have already accomplished incredible things.
Don’t sweat it,
AB
3 tags
rainyyesterdays asked: I've spent years wanting to live in Boston after graduating. When I began my college search, I noticed that Boston is pretty much THE college town - and got my heart set on attending school there. My question is, should I try to separate location from the equation? Is it one thing to aim for an urban campus, but extreme to zero in on one city? I applied to only one school in Boston, should I...
Anonymous asked: Does having a few C's on a transcript disqualify an applicant for the Ivies, Stanford, and other top top schools? (and there is no like family or medical issue to explain them, they were just due to my lack of aptitude in a subject)
canisayhitoyou asked: A lot of privates say they don't need the SAT 2s if you're submitting your ACT, but should I turn them in anyways? And if I don't, will it lessen my chances?
4 tags
November 2011
11 posts
Anonymous asked: Does submitting your application for RD early really help you? Also, since we are allowed to make multiple versions of our Common App, should I write a "Why ______?" essay as one of my common app essays to show interest in a school?
5 tags
lostinhogwarts asked: I took the SAT I and did not do so great on it so I am taking the ACT in December and I'm expecting I'll do better. Will it hurt me when colleges see a mediocre SAT I score and good ACT score?
Anonymous asked: Hello! I'm still indecisive on a major. I was wondering how do colleges look at undecided applicants? Is it better to apply with a major and then change later in college if I find myself interested in another major or to apply undecided?
Anonymous asked: Hi, I submitted my UC application and Yale supplement and after re-reading an essay I realized it had five typos. I had a counselor, an english teacher, both parents, a few friends read it and I read it myself numerous times and the errors just missed all of us. How bad will this affect me?
7 tags
Anonymous asked: I applied Early Action to my top choice school, but because my guidance counselor is basically useless, all my paperwork didn't get in on time. Now I'm planning to apply regular decision, but do you think the fact that I didn't get all my stuff in on time the first time will hurt my chances?
Anonymous asked: What happens if you plagiarize on your college admissions essay? Simply curious
5 tags
Anonymous asked: Hello! So I live in Boston, but I've recently found myself falling in love with UChicago. My parents said it's unlikely that I'll get to go (since it's so expensive and so far away), unless I get a free ride (which requires me to apply to one specific field, and I'm not sure about what I'd like to study - since I'm middle class). I was wondering if you knew of...
Anonymous asked: 1. Do you think test scores or GPA count more towards application? Or are they about evenly weighted? 2. I'm applying to 6 schools; 3 of them are 40% accept rate, one is below 10% (Cooper Union for art) and the other two safeties are 75%+. Is this a good mix or am I pushing it with the reach schools? 3. How much does the Common App Arts Supplement help with admission?
October 2011
1 post
5 tags
Anonymous asked: What is Liberal Arts? I never understood that concept.
September 2011
7 posts
7 tags
How About a Dose of University Rankings?
Hi Applicants!
Bored? Take a look at the new USNWR College Rankings for 2012. While we here at Admissions Beast believe you should always take rankings with a grain of salt (really though), it can be fun to see how your favorite schools stacked up. People who hate ties should probably stay away from this list—there’s a five-way tie in the top ten alone.
Anyhow, for a preview,...
ichangedmyurl-again asked: When should college admission essays be submitted?
4 tags
Anonymous asked: This feels like a stupid question, but I'll ask anyway.
For writing the (extended and the short answer) essays that we have to upload to common app in order to submit, do we write those double-spaced, single-spaced, or does it not matter?
For writing the (extended and the short answer) essays that we have to upload to common app in order to submit, do we write those double-spaced, single-spaced, or does it not matter?
6 tags
lovetiffany asked: what are some good questions to ask when attending college fairs or when speaking with college representatives? I'm a junior and this is all really new to me, and I'm just feeling overwhelmed right now lol
2 tags
Anonymous asked: So I read the Boston Globe article, and it only made me feel worse - like the odds are against me. I'm a white female from an affluent area in New Jersey, and I'm fortunate to be able to say I've lived a pretty easy life. What can kids like myself do to win over the admissions office?
6 tags
Procrastinating? Read This Article, Feel Less...
Howdy Applicants!
If you’re in between things to do on this fine Sunday evening, want a chance to procrastinate, or just want to read some really inspiring stories, take a look at this article from the Boston Globe (trust us, it’s worth it—it’ll completely change your outlook on applying).
1. “Colleges Look Beyond Grades and Test Scores”—The Boston...
August 2011
15 posts
Anonymous asked: When colleges ask, "Why us?" how do we, the students/applicants, answer that without sounding like a hackneyed list? Is there really a right way to do it?
Anonymous asked: I'm taking 3-4 AP classes, some harder than others, for my senior year. My goal for the year is all A's or A's and B's but I was wondering -which would colleges prefer: a B or a high C in an AP class or an A in a regular or honors course?
Anonymous asked: how many times can i take the SAT? Everyone says that 3 is the limit but with score choice couldn't you just send your 3 best ones?
3 tags
albiehereforyou asked: hey so I just started applying to schools, and if admitted i'll be the class of 2016.
but when do I fill out my FAFSA form and file it?
but when do I fill out my FAFSA form and file it?
7 tags
7 tags
Anonymous asked: when applying to colleges, should you send both your SAT and ACT scores or just the better one?
lifeinneverland asked: What is early decision 2? Is it the same thing as early decision (binding) but just with another deadline?
Anonymous asked: 1. How will you know if your safety schools are really your safety schools? Meaning you're 99.9% positive that you're most likely to get accepted there.
2. Are volunteer hours required?
3. Is there a possibility to explain to the colleges why you got D's in an AP class both semester for personal reasons?
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE AB!
2. Are volunteer hours required?
3. Is there a possibility to explain to the colleges why you got D's in an AP class both semester for personal reasons?
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE AB!
6 tags
thiswasunnecessary asked: In response to the person who asked about sending their October SAT II scores in after the early decision deadline: You can choose to get your scores "rushed" to colleges, meaning that they get them before you do, and in your case, before the deadline. However, this means that you don't know how you did until after you send them your scores.
Anonymous asked: What are the best liberal arts colleges/universities?
3 tags
Planning a College Visit?
Dear Awesome Followers,
Are you going on a college visit soon, or did you recently go on one? Want to share your experience with the rest of the AB community? If inspiration strikes and you feel like contributing, we invite you to fill out the questionnaire in our new “Submit a Visit Report” Section and drop it in our ask box. We’ll choose our favorites and post them weekly. We...
awkwardblueeyes asked: If I apply to one school Early Decision can I apply to other schools Early Action?
nogreatcathedral asked: So glad I found this site!
I'm going to be applying to colleges in the fall, and I'm very unsure of what I want to major in. I've been thinking very seriously about nursing, but I'm not 100% on it. I'm also interested in writing and film and more creative career fields. Do you know of any colleges that won't tie me down to field of study, with very...
I'm going to be applying to colleges in the fall, and I'm very unsure of what I want to major in. I've been thinking very seriously about nursing, but I'm not 100% on it. I'm also interested in writing and film and more creative career fields. Do you know of any colleges that won't tie me down to field of study, with very...
24 tags
Twenty Colleges that Are Free to Apply To
Do you like awesome colleges? How about free things? What about lists?
Awesome, so do we! Here’s a list of twenty random reputable colleges that are free to apply to, or who will waive their fee if you apply online.
(Note: expect to see more of these in the following weeks—you’d be surprised how many of these there are!)
Carleton College
American University
Baylor...
kitkatinthehat asked: How many colleges should you apply to?
5 tags
Just A Reminder...
Tomorrow marks the official opening of the Common App for this year. If you’re feeling up for it, find some time tomorrow to open an account. Explore the website, try and get familiar with it, and maybe even get a head start on those essays. It never hurts to be prepared!
—AB