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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 a 1200 SAT score competitive?

Hey everyone, I just got my SAT scores back and I got a 1200. I'm wondering if this is considered a good score for colleges like Penn State or Indiana University? Also, any advice on whether I should retake the test or focus on other aspects of my application?

Penn State IU

What Are Some Good Safety Schools in Ohio?

I'm trying to build a balanced college list and I know it's important to have some safety schools. I'm looking specifically in Ohio since I want to stay close to home. Does anyone have suggestions for good safety schools here that still have decent programs and a nice campus vibe?

Ohio University BGSU University of Toledo Kent State

What are my chances of getting into Harvard?

I've got a 3.9 GPA, scored 1520 on the SAT, and have been a varsity soccer captain for two years. Harvard is like my dream school. What are my chances of getting in, realistically? I don't have many extracurriculars besides sports, but I do volunteer at a local nonprofit on weekends. Should I focus on anything else to improve my application?

Harvard

Are there grants available for West Virginia University?

Hey guys, I'm really interested in West Virginia University, but I'm concerned about how to finance my education. Are there any grants or specific scholarships available that I should consider?

WVU

Understanding the Admissions at Texas A&M's Corps of Cadets

I'm interested in joining the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M. Does anyone know how hard it is to get in? How does it compare to other military schools?

Texas A&M

Understanding PSAT percentiles for National Merit

I'm a junior and just got back my PSAT scores. How do I interpret my percentiles, and what do they mean for my chances of becoming a National Merit Scholar?

Tips for getting into Ohio University?

Hey, does anyone have advice on what Ohio University looks for in their applicants? I'm worried my GPA might be a bit low, but I have strong recommendations and decent test scores. Should I focus on my essay or try to boost my extracurriculars before applying?

Ohio University

Difference Between Weighted and Unweighted GPA?

Can someone explain what the difference is between weighted and unweighted GPA? I've heard that my school calculates both and I'm not sure which one colleges pay more attention to.

Does Class Rank Matter for Big 10 Applications?

I'm ranked 50th in my class of 400 at Lincoln High. I'm curious about how much class rank matters when applying to Big 10 schools like University of Illinois and Michigan State. Can a slightly lower rank hurt my chances even if I have strong extracurriculars and test scores?

Illinois Michigan State Michigan Northwestern

Social scene without Greek life at Ole Miss?

How's the social scene at Ole Miss for students not involved in Greek life? I'm not sure if it's for me, but I don't want to miss out on social events. Are there other activities to join?

Ole Miss

What Are My Chances at Yale?

I've always dreamed of going to Yale, but I keep hearing how hard it is to get in. I've got solid grades and some leadership roles, but what else can make me stand out? How important are personal statements in the Yale application?

Yale

Test-optional impact on merit scholarships?

My family is really relying on merit-based financial aid, and I'm applying to test-optional schools like Northeastern and Bowdoin. Do these schools still require SAT or ACT scores for merit scholarships, or are the processes adapted to test-optional policies?

Northeastern Bowdoin College

Balancing ACT subscores across sections?

Is it better to have balanced subscores across all sections of the ACT, or should I focus on excelling in a specific area? Considering general engineering programs at schools like Clemson and Virginia Tech.

Clemson Virginia Tech

Hardest Colleges to Get Into in Florida?

I'm planning to apply to colleges in Florida but not sure where to start. Out of curiosity, does anyone know which are the hardest colleges to get into there? I've heard Miami may be tough, but are there others I should keep on my radar?

Miami Florida New College of Florida Florida State

How to engage with current students during a visit?

I'll be at Virginia and NC State soon. How can I make sure I get to talk with current students to understand student life better when I'm visiting these campuses?

Virginia Tech NC State

Advice for applying to Texas A&M

I'm planning to apply to Texas A&M and I'm kind of stressed about the whole process. Does anyone have advice on what makes a strong application? I'm particularly curious about how they value essays and recommendations.

Texas A&M

Ole Miss acceptance rates and stats

Can anyone share what the acceptance rate is like for Ole Miss and what the average stats for incoming freshmen are? I'm trying to gauge my chances of getting in and if it's worth applying.

Ole Miss

Should private schools worry about class rank?

I go to a small private school with limited grade competition. Does class rank from a smaller school mean less to colleges when compared to larger public schools?

Central Michigan's Living-Learning communities?

I heard Central Michigan University has living-learning communities. Can anyone share what those are like? Do they offer any benefits or are they just another dorm option? Would love to hear some experiences!

CMU

How does superscoring work for the SAT at USC?

I'm applying to USC and heard about SAT superscoring but I'm confused about how it works. Do they only look at the best score for each section across multiple tests? And will it really improve my chances of getting in?

USC