Attending college is a big decision and a great step forward. You will want to first decide what type of college fits your lifestyle and budget. Are you interested in starting at a community college and then moving to a university? Would you like to attend classes on campus or take online classes from home? Consider these important questions before you begin applying. Next, check out our guide to college admissions for a sense of what the process looks like. You should request information from your desired schools and, for each school, find out what the application requires. Likely, you will be required to submit test scores from the ACT or SAT, transcripts from high school, recommendation letters, and an application essay. Each school's website will have an admissions section where you will find information for prospective students. Many schools require online applications now, so you can even start the application online and save it as you go. Good luck!

Congratulations on your decision to continue your education. It is a big step and a big investment, so you are wise to take time to choose the best route. It is true that many returning students begin at a community college and then bridge to a university for their remaining credits. This is a great decision if finances are an issue. Community college courses tend to be cheaper than university courses, and many are offered on weekends and during evening hours to accommodate working students. Furthermore, you will find far more students in your age range at a community college than in daytime classes at a university. If your classmates and cohort are important to you, you might consider this factor. My best advice would be to combine both strategies. Start with a community college so that finances and time are more flexible to your schedule and budget. Also, research and decide what field you would like to study and what degree you want to pursue. If you know what career you'd like to channel your education toward, you can make informed decisions about which schools to attend and which courses to take. Some careers require only an associates degree, while some require a bachelor's or even a masters. Good luck!

This is a great question, but the best answer is to consider many factors and to visit the schools for a better sense of what they offer. You should choose the school where your daughter is most likely to excel in all areas rather than the school you feel would look the best to colleges. Top schools look for students with high performance in many areas aside from academic coursework. You know your daughter best, so consider what school will help her become the most active in her community and organizations specific to her interests. What school will challenge her academically while also nurturing her confidence and social skills? Many make the mistake of believing that college committees only look for high grades from rigorous curriculum, but colleges look for much more in an applicant. Your daughter will be best served in a school that combines a challenging curriculum with lots of extracurricular opportunities, as well as a dedicated faculty that will know her personally and be able to write strong recommendations. If you think continuing a Catholic education would best serve her, take that route. However, if you feel she is ready for more challenges academically, consider a prep school. Alternatively, a public school might offer exposure and experience that will prepare her for university life. I would advise you to visit the schools with your daughter to experience them first hand and find the best fit. Good luck to you and your daughter!

You sound like a great student who genuinely cares about your future. Do not worry about the slip in grades. Instead, do everything you can moving forward to make the application the best it can be. A short-term slip in grades will not make or break your application because schools look at a large variety of factors when making admission decisions. They will review your grades, test scores, application essays, extracurricular activities, and recommendation letters. Top schools like Berkeley are looking for students who stand out from the crowd. You can strengthen your chances by getting involved in clubs and organizations and by taking on leadership roles. Do you have other components to your resume besides strong grades and AP courses? Are there clubs or organizations related to your desired field of study that you can join? What about volunteer work? Also, building strong relationships with science teachers who can write strong recommendations for you is crucial. Get to know your teachers, and make sure they are aware of your active involvement in school and the community. All of these factors count, especially for a top notch school. To find more top schools for chemical engineering, check out the US News website which constantly ranks schools based on different factors. Good luck!

If the courses are taken for credit, they will affect the GPA just like regular semester courses. Whether or not these courses will lower her GPA will depend solely on the grades she receives. Taking summer courses can be a great strategy for staying on track in a major and graduating on time. However, beware of overloading too many summer courses at once. Most summer semesters only last from six to eight weeks, and this means that a semester's worth of material is covered in less than two months. This can be rigorous, and most advisers caution students to take no more than two courses in the same session.

The answer is yes. You can certainly still gain admission to a college, but you may need to take the ACT or SAT. That will depend on the college's admission requirements. It is highly commendable that you have raised your grades and participated in an internship. A school will likely see your recent transcripts as a sign of improvement and lifestyle change. When determining an admission decision, schools look at a variety of factors including grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, recommendation letters, and essays. You can find out about studying for the ACT and SAT online. High scores on the tests your chosen school requires will be an important factor in your application. Study hard, and don't give up. College is definitely still in reach!

Definitely include your work history in your scholarship application. Demonstrating leadership and ambition through your early work experience is a great idea. Describe your experience with concrete examples and active verbs. This will help you illustrate the work and the way it sets you apart from other applicants. If you are writing an application essay, use the body of the essay to reflect on the experience you gained working a real job rather than participating in sports or clubs. You might explain how part time work distanced you from activities with peers but exposed you to career ideas, leadership, and powerful role models that inspired you toward a college education. Good luck! 

Because of your business experience, it sounds like repeating an entire bachelors degree is unnecessary. My advice is to find out which  accounting classes are available in your area or online. Because you already have a bachelor's degree and business experience, an accounting certificate may very well suffice if you plan to work in a family business. (To become competitive in the finance field at larger companies, an MBA or Master's in Accounting might be advisable.) For your particular goals, it sounds like practical and applied education is what you seek. A community college in your area probably has the accounting classes you need. Another option is to take online courses through Kaplan or a test preparation program. This way, you can refresh the skills you'll need for accounting and work directly toward passing the CPA exam. Good luck!

This is a great question and a difficult conflict where both sides have a valid point. College is an expensive investment, and I can understand your parents' argument for keeping the costs low. However, if UW does not offer the major of your interest, I understand that you feel like attending might be a waste of your time. While there is no easy answer to this question, there are a few truths. First, if you decide that going out of state for a particular major is most important, you will probably want to look for funding opportunities. Research the scholarships that particular school offers, and file the FAFSA. Out-of-state tuition is much higher than in-state tuition, and the cost of moving will also factor in. Secondly, is your choice of major specialized enough to make it crucial to leave the state? For instance, if you are interested in publishing but live nowhere near New York City, you can still study English or Communications which will give you the skills to bridge into that field. Many jobs do not require a specific major and pull graduates from all areas of study. Likewise, medical schools and science programs often accept students from non-medical majors. Without knowing your particular choice of major, it is hard to discern whether or not an out-of-state school is absolutely appropriate. Finally, one option you might consider is beginning college near your home and transferring after the first year. Any undergraduate will have to complete basic core requirements for any major. These classes will be offered at UW, and you can spend the first year saving money and living near home before transferring to a school more appropriate for your goals. Discuss this option with your parents to see if it is a possibility. Keep an open mind and remember that picking the right school always includes an informed discussion of finances. Your ability to pay back student loans after graduation is a crucial factor, as is the affordability of the experience while you are enrolled. Good luck!

It's a great idea to finish the degree, especially with just four credits left! However, you will have to check with an adviser at Radford to find out exactly what online or classroom courses will count toward that final credit. Each college and university has its own policies about transfer credits. For a science course, you may need a lab credit as well as a lecture credit. Your best bet would be to contact the school and get the information directly. If you had an adviser at Radford in 2001, try to contact that same adviser for assistance. The school will still have record of your transcripts and will be able to advise you. Good luck!