http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean Answers to your college questions Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:31:29 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Question: I'm a good student, active in many extracurriculars, and have maintained a 3.9. However, this past summer I made a poor decision and was charged with a misdemeanor. The consequences of my actions however, changed my entire outlook on life. I was wondering if it would be a good ... http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/college-essay-about-misdemeanor-charge.htm Question: My daughter has applied for binding Early Decision at a highly selective private college. (Applications are due tomorrow, but she's submitted hers already.) She is having second thoughts about this school being her first and only choice. We will not receive the decision from the college until ... http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/11th-hour-ed-misgivings.htm Question: Some of my son's friends are plotting an Early Decision strategy that entails applying to a first-choice college in the Early Decision I round. Then if they are deferred (not even denied outright) they plan to apply to a second-choice college in the ED II round without ever knowing ... http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/ed-i-ed-ii-skidoo.htm Question: I've landed myself in suspension, and I can't go back to school until a full year has passed. What do I do in this time period? I can't go to a community college, because suspended students can't transfer any credits. What do I do until this year is up? ... http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/using-time-wisely-during-one-year-college-suspension.htm Question: My son scored a 31 on his ACT in June. He is taking it again tomorrow. If he scores lower this time, will his prospective colleges see this new score--or will they only see it if we send it to them? (Obviously we are happy with the first, but ... http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/will-colleges-see-new-act-score.htm Question: My child's high school gives quarter and semester grades. Do colleges just look at just the end-of-semester grades or at all grades? Most high schools put all grades on the transcript that goes to colleges; some high schools, however, will put only the final grade for each course. (For half-year ... http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/582.htm Question: I believe that I am a very strong student. Over the years I have had a 4.0, and I have been very involved in many activities. However, this is my senior year, and in my first nine weeks I got a C in my math class. All of ... http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/will-a-c-torpedo-college-chances.htm Does having a sibling who attends a college increase your chances of getting in? Do admissions officers go back and look at the sibling's application or look at his or her current GPA? Having a sibling who attends your target college (or who is an alumnus) will usually work in your ... http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/is-there-a-sibling-hook.htm Question: I took the September ACT and did much better than before, and that is the one I want the schools to see. I got everything but the writing results. I'm applying to some schools that have Rolling Admission and others with Early Action. I don't want to hold off ... http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/submitting-act-results-before-writing-test-is-scored.htm Question: I'm applying to UMass Amherst and I called Admissions to ask about the benefits/risks of applying Early Action (non binding) vs. Regular Decision The counselor was very vague and said "I don't know because I haven't seen the student pool yet." I have good grades and great extracurriculars, ... http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/should-i-apply-early-action-despite-a-low-act-score.htm