Yes, most schools prefer a declared major since he/she will be entering a specific college i.e. The College of Arts and Science. However, if your teen is unsure they can usually apply undeclared. Another option is to consider a liberal art’s major.  Research to learn more about it and determine if it is the right choice for them.

Aid comes in many forms, including merit-aid. Many colleges reward excellent students for their hard work in high school with merit money. This money is usually rewarded needs blind.

Applying early decision means your teen is agreeing IN ADVANCE (by signing a binding contract) to attend if admitted. He/she may only apply to one private college or university early decision and must rescind all public-school applications when notified of acceptance, usually in January of senior year. Financial aid is usually not offered at the time of admission. Those notices are usually sent in March of senior year. 

Early action allows teens to apply early, find out whether accepted, waitlisted or rejected early without any penalty. All other applications can be submitted, and you do not need to notify any college of your choice until May 1, well after you have your financial aid award packages.

Simply answered, yes. Colleges like to admit students who have a sense of responsibility to the world at large and their own community. A minimum of 100 hours of community service is recommended.

I strongly suggest teens participate in a program that will enhance their college application and help them stand out from the many applicants applying to their preferred college. Showing a commitment to his/her major and their desire to learn more about it goes a long way on his/her college application.

Your teen should start to studying over the summer between sophomore and junior year of high school. I recommend studying and taking each test once at the end of summer as a baseline, then pick the one that they are better suited for and retake that test again at least one more time. DO NOT take any test more than three times, scores will not improve enough to warrant the time and cost.

Finding colleges that are “best-fit” is not an easy task. You need to review a myriad of school statistics to determine which ones fit your teen’s needs. A few points to consider are location, size, academics and price.

Yes, your GPA is important, but it is only one factor being considered when a college reviews your teen’s qualifications for admission. Other factors being considered are ACT/SAT scores, community service and extra-curricular activities, high school club participation, leadership roles, sports – both school and community-based clubs, job history and anything else that helps define them as a unique and interesting person.

Students should only take as many classes as they can handle well. It is better to receive an “A” in an unweighted class than a “B” or “C” in an AP class. Choose classes in which he/she has a natural talent or high interest, and doesn’t stress if they are not taking every AP class offered.

Your teen should push him/herself to take the most difficult classes he/she can handle well.