What if my son had very low grades in high school, can he still get into a college?

My son is at a vocational/technical high school, and has not taken a foreign language or some of the other courses aften expected by colleges. How do we address this when applying to colleges?

My daughter plans to take the SAT twice. Do colleges look only at the best score for each section or do the second scores supersede the first scores?

We've found it a hardship to visit all the schools my daughter is applying to (although we have taken advantage of various schools offering info. sessions in our area). Does that negatively effect her potential acceptance?

What should someone prepare to show their talent if they want to go to film school (director)?

Please address the college interview process. Is an interview recommended? If so, what kinds of questions do they ask?

My son wants to submit his applications by hard copy rather than doing the on line applications. Does this make a difference with the admission process?

My granddaughter who is in all scholars/AP classes, will be ready to graduate by 11th grade. Her public school has a standard policy to Not allow early graduation, stating colleges won't accept her a year early, or in January. What do the experts think? Thanks.

Student did better on SAT (2140 - w/ 740 essay) than ACT (30) , due to a LOW essay score - will schools disregard low score? Applying to top tier schools.

Also, how should we take a non-solicited letter/appl fr Harvard? Go for it? THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why do some schools have you take the SAT subject tests, usually optional. Are they for placement or admission?

Our daughter had ADHD but great grades. Is it better to disclose her condition or not on applications? Are accomodations available if we don't disclose?

As a freshman in high school, can you give us some suggestions that would help my daughter prepare for college in the next several years? What can she do to build a good foundation for an easier admission process later? ie: What to do & when -- applying for scholarships & assistance.... classes to choose... activities outside of school including community involvement. thanks

My son is 4.0, many activities and volunteering, good test scores and tough classes. Our school however has had bad pssa scores. Do the colleges look at this and if so this will it affect my son who has always challenged himself and done well. Thanks Maureen

My son Skyler is 17 1/2 yrs old and has been in Cub Scouts and then onto Boy Scouts since he was in the first grade. He is 4 1/2 months away from his 18th birthday deadline of completing his Eagle Project. The pressure of his honors classes and obligations in the marching band are steering him away from completing his project, thinking that it will really not benefit or help him with applying for college scholarships. This thinking goes against everything we have planned and hoped for and it breaks my heart that he has committed 11 1/2 years to the Scouting program only to get frustrated and stressed out this close to completion of his Scouting journey. He is an honors student, a music major and I would love for him to add Eagle Scout to his resume. Help!!! Please advise us on your admission experiences with this situation. Thanks, Cheri in NC

I have a son who is applying to engineering schools. He attends a small alternative high school because he has Aspergers (a form of autsim). His school does not give grades but rather written evaluations.

My concern is that when he is applying to these schools, his academic portfolio is a little thin. He does not have AP or honors courses. With only 60 students, the course offerings are not as broad as at some high schools - but he is getting an excellent education. HIs teachers demand a lot of independent thinking and work and he gets a lot of individual attention.

His extracirrucular activities, however, are stellar. His Boy Scout eagle project has won national and international awards. He has represented the United States at a United Nations program in Sweden. He has received awards from the President of the United States and the King of Sweden. He has appeared in over a dozen publications and been featured on TV and is currently on the back of a major snack food. He has received and managed nearly $15,000 in grant funding for his project.

How do we present all this information to a college admissions officer? I am afraid that they will count against him his thin (but excellent) educational resume and really not look at all he has accomplished - in spite of his Aspergers.

What kinds of things make students stand out to colleges? After all, most students with high GPAs, honor achievements, and a lot of extra curriculum activities are getting the same grades and are participating in most of the same things.

Also, what if he didn't test well on the ACT and the SAT's are booked in January. Are there other options for him or will his transcript give a good picture of his academic history?

As a freshman in high school what can my daughter do over the next several years to prepare for a smoother admission process -- classes to take, community activities to participate in, when & where to apply for scholarships/assistance ---what to do to build a good foundation for acceptance?

My daughter is a senior and is working on her essay. How long or short should the essay be? one page , two pages?

Thank you, Mark

My son applied early decision to a test optional school. His grades areB+ range, with AP scores of 5 (two) - and a good ACT (29). He was deferred. Do you think they were just throwing him a bone, and going to reject him in March (after sending 1st semester grades) or does he if fact have a chance at his dream school?