1. Home
  2. College Advisor

Advisor Questions and Answers

Answers to questions frequently asked by parents and students applying to colleges. Post your questions and receive responses from CollegeSimply Advisor and the community.

Is SAT Required for University of Miami?

I'm applying to the University of Miami, and I heard they might not require SAT scores anymore due to COVID. Does anyone know if they are test-optional this year, and if so, should I still send my scores if they're decent? I got a 1250 on the SAT. Would it help or hurt my application?

Miami

What Are The Most Competitive Colleges In Ohio?

I'm trying to figure out which colleges in Ohio are the hardest to get into. I have a pretty strong GPA and extracurriculars, but I want to make sure I'm applying to places where I can really push myself. Does anyone know which colleges I should be considering if I'm looking for top-level academics in Ohio?

Case Western Ohio State Kenyon Oberlin Miami

What Are My Chances with a 3.9 GPA?

I'm aiming for Harvard, but I've heard the acceptance rate is super low! I have a 3.9 GPA and a decent SAT score, with activities in drama club and volunteering. Does anyone know how competitive my chances are? Should I focus on somehow boosting my application, or am I being realistic about my prospects?

Harvard

Is a 3.4 GPA good for college admissions?

Hey guys, I'm currently a junior with a 3.4 GPA and I'm really wondering how that stands for college admissions. I know it's not a 4.0, but is it decent enough to get into good schools or should I be worried? How important is GPA anyway compared to other parts of the application?

What SAT score do I need for Florida State University?

I'm planning to apply to Florida State University and I'm trying to figure out what SAT score I should aim for to make my application competitive. Does anyone know what score they're usually looking for and if there's a specific range that might improve my chances?

Florida State

Air Force Academy dorm life?

Can anyone tell me what the dorms at the Air Force Academy are like? I'm curious about what daily life is like and how cadets manage their time between academics and military duties.

USAFA

Is a 3.5 GPA competitive for college admissions?

I have a 3.5 GPA, and I'm really wondering if that's good enough for schools like Penn State or Miami University. I know a lot depends on the specifics of my application, but I'm curious if anyone has had success with a similar GPA at these types of universities. Should I focus on boosting my test scores or extracurriculars to make my application stand out?

Penn State Miami

What are some good safety schools in California?

I'm trying to find some good safety schools in California. I'm mostly applying to UC schools like UCLA and UC San Diego but I want a few backups just in case. Are there any less competitive, but still reputable, schools I should consider in the area?

Cal State Long Beach Cal State Long Beach San Francisco State San Jose State

How to decide between UCLA and UC Berkeley?

I've been accepted to both UCLA and UC Berkeley, but I'm having a tough time deciding between them. Can anyone share their experiences or insights on how to choose between these two schools?

UCLA UC Berkeley

Minimum SAT Score for Merit Scholarships

I'm applying to Northwestern and heard they offer merit scholarships. Does anyone know what SAT score range is needed for these?

Northwestern

Should I Enhance Unweighted GPA with Easier Classes?

Would it be better to take easier classes to boost my unweighted GPA, or should I stick with the challenging ones and focus on my weighted GPA instead?

Which colleges use SAT superscores?

Can someone help me compile a list of colleges that accept SAT superscores, especially in the Northeast? I'm trying to focus my applications and want to know if retaking might help with certain schools.

Harvard Yale MIT BC BU Northeastern NYU

Which are the hardest colleges to get into in Nevada?

I'm starting my college search and was wondering which colleges in Nevada are the hardest to get into. I've got a pretty decent GPA and solid extracurriculars, but I want to know which schools I should really prepare for. Any advice or insights on the selection criteria for these challenging schools?

UNLV UNLV

What are the hardest colleges to get into in Vermont?

I'm starting to narrow down my college list and Vermont is on my radar. I know about Middlebury, but are there other colleges in Vermont that are really hard to get into? Trying to assess how competitive these schools are so I can plan my applications. Any insights?

Middlebury UVM Bennington Saint Michael's College

UNC Chapel Hill or University of Virginia for political science?

I'm deciding between UNC Chapel Hill and the University of Virginia for political science. Which one provides a better mix of academics and activism opportunities? I'd love feedback!

UNC Chapel Hill UVA

Is tutoring necessary for the SAT or ACT?

My parents seem to think I need a tutor for the SAT or ACT, but it's super expensive. Do I need one to get a good score, or are there other ways to prep successfully?

Impact of Typos on Applications

If I notice a typo in my application after submitting it, should I email the admissions office to correct it? I'm stressing over summer not being capitalized in my submitted essay to Boston University.

BU

Exploring out-of-state colleges with in-state tuition benefits

I've heard some schools offer in-state tuition rates to out-of-state students under certain conditions. How common is this, and does anyone have examples of colleges making these offers?

University of Maine

How do you determine if transferring is worth it?

Trying to decide if it's really beneficial to transfer to a more suited college. How did you figure out if the switch was truly worth the costs and effort?

Should I Mention My Class Rank in Big 10 Applications?

If my class rank isn't particularly high, should I avoid mentioning it in my applications to Big 10 schools like Rutgers and University of Nebraska? Will not highlighting it be seen negatively?

Rutgers Nebraska