Q&A for How to Get into College

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  • Question
    How can I get help to get into college?
    Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.
    Educational Consultant
    Alexander Ruiz is an Educational Consultant and the Educational Director of Link Educational Institute, a tutoring business based in Claremont, California that provides customizable educational plans, subject and test prep tutoring, and college application consulting. With over a decade and a half of experience in the education industry, Alexander coaches students to increase their self-awareness and emotional intelligence while achieving skills and the goal of achieving skills and higher education. He holds a BA in Psychology from Florida International University and an MA in Education from Georgia Southern University.
    Educational Consultant
    Expert Answer
    One of the best things you can do is hire a tutor to specifically work with you on your applications. If you really only need help with the essay, you can hire a writing tutor. In most instances, you may get more help from someone with a background in admissions. They'll be able to walk you through application and point out where you may be making a mistake or leaving something important out.
  • Question
    How does a college cafeteria work?
    Community Answer
    You will probably have a card that works like a debit card, most likely your college ID. Depending on your school, your meals might be covered by tuition or you might have to pick a meal plan and pay for it ahead of time. You can usually choose to pay for all of your meals (3 per day for every day of the semester/year) or pay for a select amount and add more money to the card when you run out.
  • Question
    How do I get my work done and hand it in on time in high school?
    Community Answer
    Make sure to manage your time efficiently. Do your homework first when you get home from school, then use what time is remaining for hanging out with friends, going on YouTube/Facebook, playing video games, etc. If you have a project due, start it early instead of leaving it to the last minute. Work on it a little every night after you've finished your daily homework so that it won't feel like such a task to do it all at once. Understand that handing things in completed and on time will have a direct result on your grade and will help you get into college.
  • Question
    How do I get into the right classes?
    Community Answer
    Talk to your guidance counselor about your post-high school plans. He can help you make sure that you are taking the right classes to get into college. Studying and working hard to achieve good grades will help make sure you are eligible to take the necessary classes.
  • Question
    What do I wear to a college interview?
    Community Answer
    I would suggest dressing in a business casual outfit. This could include slacks, button down shirts, skirts, etc.
  • Question
    How can I get into college without a high school diploma?
    Community Answer
    You can't. It's wise to finish high school if you can. If you are too old, then check your local area for GED programs to finish high school.
  • Question
    Is it true that if I get C's in high school, I can't go to college?
    Community Answer
    That's not true at all! While lower grades are unlikely to get you into prestigious schools, and your grades throughout all of high school affect your general GPA, you can still get into college with C's. Even if you're not accepted by the colleges you apply to because of your grades, you can still attend community college and then transfer to a four-year school later on.
  • Question
    Is it optional to live in a dorm?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the college. Some colleges allow all students to live off-campus, while others require students to live on-campus for a set period of time. (For example, you may be required to live on-campus for the first year or two, but then be able to move out and live in a nearby apartment.) If you have a specific college in mind, you can look up whether or not you're required to stay in the dorms, and whether or not exceptions can be made.
  • Question
    Will I be able to go to a college/university if my GPA is high and my SAT score is low? I have an IEP (meaning I have a learning disability).
    Community Answer
    Many colleges are test-optional schools, which means your chances of getting accepted won't be lowered if your SAT scores are not great. Depending on your IEP, some schools might not even consider your standardized testing scores.
  • Question
    What if I can't read? Can I get into college?
    Community Answer
    You generally can't get through high school or get your GED if you can't read, so you couldn't fulfill the most basic requirements for being eligible for college without being able to read. Plus, college itself involves a lot of reading and writing. If you have a disability that makes it impossible for you to learn to read (either normally or through braille or another system), then perhaps accommodations could be made for you. If you are capable of learning and just haven't done so, then you'll need to learn on your own like everyone else. And then, assuming you haven't gone to high school (or probably even elementary school), you will have to complete a GED program before you consider applying for college.
  • Question
    How do I decide what school is right for me or even figure out what I want to focus on in my life?
    Community Answer
    It all depends on you as a person and what you what to major in. Choose schools that will help you grow as a person, as well as academically.
  • Question
    When will I be able to take AP classes if I'm currently in my Sophomore year?
    Community Answer
    Ask your guidance counselor about this. It depends on your school. Some AP classes are offered, and some are not.
  • Question
    How can I get in to a good college if I was home schooled?
    Community Answer
    Get involved in extracurriculars that you enjoy. Do plenty of volunteering. Also, get good grades and strong recommendations.
  • Question
    I forgot to hit 'submit' on my application and admissions are closed. Now, what do I do?
    Community Answer
    Try to find another college that piques your interest that is still accepting applications.
  • Question
    Do colleges look at grades from middle school? In the 6th and 7th grades I got mid-high D's and low C's. I've gotten all A's since then, though.
    Community Answer
    No, colleges don't look at your grades from middle school. They do look at everything on your high school transcript though, which is all of your grades from 9th grade through 12th grade.
  • Question
    How do I get into college if I have a .12 GPA?
    Community Answer
    You'll most likely have to go to a community college, since the average GPA in America is 3.00 and colleges don't usually look for students who have a GPA of less than .75.
  • Question
    How do I get into Harvard University?
    Community Answer
    You'd need to do exceptionally well in your classes, and by exceptionally well, that means scoring A's or A+'s 99.99% of the time. Take Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate (AP or IB) courses, because this shows that college-level academics are a breeze for you. Be active in extracurricular activities, because that adds some color to your application, but don't do it just to say you did it. You'll also need to score high on the ACT/SAT, to boost your chances of getting in.
  • Question
    I am an immigrant student, and my college requires an English Proficiency Test? What is that?
    Community Answer
    An English proficiency test is an evaluation of a person's ability to speak and understand English. It is used by colleges and universities in countries where English is an official language.
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