Colleges will give greater weight to your actual grades in the classes than to your AP scores, at least for admissions purposes. (Course placement is another matter; most colleges won’t give credit for anything below a 3.) Having said that, I would recommend taking only those AP exams you feel confident about in the future. It looks much better to have fewer, higher AP scores than a bunch of lower scores. In a nutshell; Don’t worry about the scores you’ve already received, but take only the exams you feel confident about this coming year.

I don’t think a double major is necessary. The problem with double majors is that they don’t leave you much room to take other classes that interest you; you’re so busy fulfilling your major requirements that there’s no space left in your schedule. I also wouldn’t worry about applying to colleges that don’t have pre-law programs. There really aren't any required undergraduate courses for law school, so the implication that a "pre-law" programs involves certain required courses isn't correct. Common majors for law school applicants include political science, history, and English. However, you can have a completely different major. I encourage you to pick a major that excites you, although you don't have to worry about this right away. The important thing is to do well in your undergraduate courses whatever major you choose.

I would refer you to individual colleges with this question. It may be harder at some schools to get the housing and classes you want if you start college in the spring. Then again, it might not be a problem. The one clear advantage to starting school in the fall is social: It’s much easier to meet people and make friends when everyone is new and in the same boat. Assuming you take the required course loads each semester, starting in the fall also means you’ll graduate with your classmates (which wouldn’t happen if you started in the spring, unless you took extra courses in future semesters).

If you're getting all A's in high school then you'll have a shot at going to NYU or Berkley. The colleges shouldn't hold against you the grades you get in college courses. However, I would advise that you check with the colleges you're interested in to make sure they will give you credit for the courses you've taken. Also, I would make getting good high school grades a priority, and, therefore, would suggest you not overburden your time commitment to the college courses.

EPGY isn't going to be as well-known to some colleges as, say, AP math level classes, and although I'm not sure about this, I don't think EPGY courses will be accepted for college credit. Obviously EPGY has a great reputation, though. Typically, a high 3+ in more challenging classes would fare better. If you get a 4.0/4.0, who's to say what you were really capable of?

Public state schools such as UVA and William and Mary very definitely have quotas on in and out-of-state students, which are typically set by the state legislature. I really think this is fair. Residents of the state pay taxes to support these schools, and they should be the primary beneficiary of these efforts. I'm sorry I can't be of help about McGill. My best advice is to call or email them; I'm sure they would give you the straight scoop.

Freshman retention and graduation rates are numbers that all colleges would have access to. In fact, colleges must report graduation rates as part of their requirements for federal financial assistance. Colleges like to see freshman retention in the 90% plus range. If a college reports a lower freshman retention, you should ask why, but don’t assume that a lower number is be a bad thing. Many colleges thrive on preparing students for transfer to other schools. These schools accept that as an important function, and they often do their jobs well. Larger, more prestigious schools have also come to accept the value of a transfer student, and over the years, have done much to ease the burden for students of transitions. Still, a highly selective college which can’t boast a graduation rate of 75% or more should be looked at carefully. And any college where you plan to stay until graduation that has a graduation rate under 50% should definitely generate more questions from you as to why.

If your mother is your legal guardian, and you are under 18, your permanent address is her home in New Jersey, and you would be considered a legal resident of New Jersey. For example, if I attended prep school in another state and then returned to my home state for college, I would not be considered a resident of my prep school state. It’s basically the same thing. I can’t imagine there being a disagreement over this, but to be sure, you should call the Rutgers admissions office and ask for a copy of their residency requirements. Every school has them.

The National Honor Society is perhaps the most recognizable academic achievement award available to high school students. I believe that in our society today, student achievements need to be recognized in a positive way. Look at the attention we give our high school basketball stars compared to how we honor our academic achievers. Student participation in the National Honor Society is also a growth experience which helps the student develop a variety of skills including leadership and presence. Highly selective colleges look for these attributes. Thus, I can think of nothing but positive benefits to your school and its students for making such a program available.

OK, these are opinions, here, from the editors of FishNet since no admissions person is going to admit to this kind of discrimination. Frankly, colleges do look for “fit” and some activities (not just political ones) may not play well on an application. I think you have to think carefully about how you present such activities, if you present them all. For example, most political groups advocate some kind of restraint on government spending, but there are wide differences on how to get the job done. Still, you could play up your involvement in “controlling government spending” without saying you want to cut welfare to the bone. Hey, politicians do it all the time. You don’t want to distort your application, but think carefully about how the information about you will be construed. By the way, what makes you think Ivy League schools are liberal? You might be surprised at what you find.

Historically, universities offer both bachelor’s degree programs and graduate and doctoral degree programs. Colleges typically offer only bachelor’s degree programs. However, some colleges are also beginning to offer a few graduate programs.

You should consider your jobs and community service as your extracurriculars. Don't be afraid to list them all and describe them all on your college applications. Colleges understand that some students have special circumstances that prevent them from being in traditional after-school activities. In fact, you might even stand out because of your determination to support yourself financially and be involved in your community in your own specific ways. Good luck and don't stress.

I sure have heard of something like that. It's called the Peace Corps! In reality that's probably going to be the closest thing to what you're speaking of, although you might not be traveling to a whole bunch of separate locations. Check out this link for information on how to obtain a master's degree while you're doing service overseas. Otherwise you may want to just focus on obtaining an online master's degree while you're traveling around to different places.  There's honestly not much out there for a "traveling master's degree" as you're speaking of, although there are a few opportunities for dual-degree, dual-host college programs.

Maybe your idea is an innovative higher education proposal for the future.  Actually, for your master's thesis you could maybe even propose developing a program like that (hint, hint).

Good luck!

No. You should always tell the truth! It will come back to you sooner or later if you try to cover up information. (Please see the previous question I answered on our website.) You say, "I've regrouped." Well, you must prove it by being honest.

Instead, you may want to ask your preferred institution about academic renewal (some schools offer programs by which you start with a "clean slate" after a certain amount of time has passed). The admissions officers and you may decide together whether that option is a path worth pursuing. You should also inquire into whether your past school and new school have any sort of academic forgiveness policy that you could apply to your situation. But again, I repeat: Do not lie on your application. That does not start you off with a good reputation, and if you are caught, any admission you gain could easily be revoked.

Thanks for your question. Luckily, the answer is pretty straightforward. If you're going to college overseas, you will be considered an "international student."

Now, for each international school you are thinking of applying to, check to see if there is a specific application for international students (this is typically online, or you can contact the school for an application by mail). If there is no separate international application, then fill out a traditional application and mark it accordingly or write in that you are an international applicant. If you are accepted, a bonus could be that you might get specific kinds of financial aid or scholarships that are doled out only to international students.

Now for the second part of your question: Are international colleges harder to get into? Not necessarily...well, of course, unless you're hoping to get into Oxford or Cambridge or one of the other top-ranked-in-the-whole-world universities. Again, it just depends on the school. Some schools reserve spots specifically for international students. Others admit everyone based on their academic merit, no matter where they are from. Your best bet in every case is to check with each university specifically. Or check with your high school adviser or even the Office of International Study at a nearby college. 

Keep in mind that a wonderful option is to do a long-term study abroad program through a U.S. college. A lot of times it's easier than just applying straight to an international school, because the U.S. "home" college will help you get to the country, find a place to live, sometimes provide language tutoring, and provide you with various other forms of support (instead of you just trying to put all the details together on your own). Good luck as you explore your options.

That is a good assumption to make. In college admissions, as in life, remember that telling the truth is important! If you are asked to list all the colleges you have attended previously, then by all means, list all the colleges you have attended previously! You should always assume that this new institution will be able to obtain the list of colleges you've previously attended, so you should probably just provide them that list. I also cannot suggest to you enough that you take every measure to pay off your old bill as soon as humanly possible. Get a second job; raise money; contact the finance/accounts office at your previous institution and beg for mercy as well as for help constructing a plan to pay that tuition. They will certainly want to assist you in recovering their debt. Chances are they're going to hold your transcripts until you pay up anyway, and greater chances are they're charging you interest by the month, so what are you waiting for?

Thanks for your question!  It sounds to me like you do appreciate your experience in the military and could certainly stay longer if you decide that.  You can certainly succeed if you do that; there are plenty of continuing job opportunities for those who have entered and seem to be a good fit in the service for the long haul.

Now, I noticed you mentioned this: "I have no hidden talents, no work experience, and no idea as to what I'm good at."  What I would like you to consider is that you probably DO have talents that you don't realize, and you do have work experience as it relates to the military.  What are your main jobs on a day-to-day basis?  What was your favorite part of your boot camp training?--your first months in the military?  What parts did you excel at?  Which came more easily to you?  That might be a first step to figuring out the kinds of things you prefer to do or study.

Another thing I suggest you do is to think back to when you were a kid.  What activities would you do that seemed to make time go by really fast?  Did you love dinosaurs?  Sports?  Drawing?  What subjects in school just flew by (as opposed to the classes where you stared at the clock every three minutes)? That is another key to unlocking what you enjoy and are good at.  Think about projects you worked on that you were proud of, or times when you felt like you accomplished something big.  All these are clues for you to think about.

I hope that gives you a start. Thank you very much for serving in the military, and I wish you all the best in your future inside or outside the service.

I'm going to say "Give it a shot." You may end up loving your roommate, and even if you don't, the dorm life is such that you'll meet a lot of diverse people that will help you connect into your college life. The truth is that most students are nervous about sharing a room with a random person. It's not just you. I was exactly the same way myself. But most of the richness of the personal relationships I developed (which happened to include my roommate) during my own time at college were initiated through living in the dorms. Now, of course, don't be stupid about living in the dorms. There are a lot of young people in the dorms that are succumbing to peer pressure and just plain unwise choices. Find a group of people that will stick with you in having fun in creative and healthful ways. And one more tip: You may eventually find that it's most efficient of all to study in the library!

Thanks for this great question. Most schools in the country actually offer either IB or AP (Advanced Placement) classes. Make sure that you inquire with your new school about taking any AP classes offered, since that's typically the equivalent of taking IB classes. Chances are that the new school will offer advanced courses. Also, check with your new school (or have your parent or guardian check for you) as to whether you need to convert your IB grades for your transcript at your new school. A lot of times, advanced courses can also contribute to a weighted GPA, so check on that as well.

A note about "pre-IB"...you might want to note on your transcripts that "pre-IB" courses are also advanced courses (and note that in your college applications as well, if you'd like). Or you may want to obtain a statement from your current school explaining the advanced nature of those courses.

In the end, I really wouldn't worry too much about having a mixed transcript or transcripts from two schools. It is a fairly common experience. But again, check with the new school to see if your old transcript needs to be converted, or if you can keep your transcript "mixed" and just send both transcripts to colleges when the time comes.

You know what? I think you should consider writing your college application essay about your unique situation. That way you will not only 1) explain the extenuating circumstances as to why you can't participate in a lot of activities, but 2) you'll also be setting yourself apart as an individual from other students who attend traditional school. Think about what obstacles you've had to overcome as a result of your illness. Think about how your schooling situation has shaped who you are and changed the nature of your character and of your relationships. What's been good? What's been bad? How have you grown and changed? What do you care about now? Tell a story. I think this situation could possibly work in your favor even when right now it seems to be a liability. So take heart! I do hope that gives you a start. Congratulations on your accomplishments in the face of your illness. That shows spirit and determination. Run with it. I wish you all the best.

Now that's a question that's debated quite a bit (see this New York Times discussion, for example). And it doesn't help that statistics fall all across the board in terms of job success. Well, I was an in-person on-campus college attendee, myself. It worked for me, because I learn best by surrounding myself with a community of other learners. But it may not be the same for you. It really comes down to what you value.

Are you working a job? If so, an online degree program (or attending college at night) might be more efficient for you.

Otherwise, what are your reasons for considering an online education? If it's because you're very introverted, you may want to consider whether you'll need extraverted social skills or specific leadership skills in the future for whatever job you want to pursue...in which case, you may want to attend college on campus to learn those skills better.

Or perhaps you're simply thinking about the financial differences. Online colleges can certainly be more economical, so be sure to toss that into the mix of factors that help you make your decision.

As far as your question about whether jobs are better available for traditional campus graduates...well, the short answer is, it depends. Truly determined people who take the initiative can make an online education work well for them.

That's why I would urge you to know yourself. Consider whether you have the traits of a successful distance learner before you make your final decisions, and consider whether you are the right personality fit to make an education like that work for you in the long run. I tend to believe it's more up to you and your work ethic than it is the type of education you pursue. Hope this gives you a little something to go on.

I suggest that instead of simply listing it as an extracurricular activity, you might want to discuss reading in your personal essay or another "personal interests" part of your application. Explain how reading lends itself to critical thinking and deeper understanding of the characters you portray through your acting. I think that might fly a little bit better than the option you suggested. If you can point to a literary club or book club or other reading group you may have participated in (or helped start) during your high school career--even an informal one--then so much the better. Other than that, I suggest you work to highlight how the amount of reading you do makes you unique among other high school students these days. I think you can find ways to bring that out (other than just listing it as an extracurricular without any other explanation). Happy reading...writing...acting...and applying.

Thanks so much for writing me. And you should be proud of the support you provide for your family. Here's what I wondered: Now that it's been two years, have you been able to reflect on why you had to drop out the first couple of times? What factors contributed to that? Was it mainly family issues, and if you started again that would be less of a struggle? Or were there other factors that affected your school record, such as lack of support from friends, or poor study habits, or financial or relationship stress?

I think your first step should be to figure out how to counteract the factors that contributed to dropping out last time. Find a friend or a peer or a trusted older person who can hold you accountable to follow through on applying to school again - and once in school, to continue to study and to work hard. Is there a person that you can trust to do that for you? You say that you are providing emotional support for your family, but is there anyone providing emotional support for you?

Now about your question, more specifically. My feeling is that you could try the same schools again if they would give you another shot, depending on where you live, etc. If you return to a school and succeed a second time, that looks really good to four-year colleges. Not that I'm saying you can't apply directly to a four-year school, of course! But since you need to send ALL transcripts you have, including college transcripts, it might be a good option to return to a school you dropped out of and really turn things around first.

Is there any way you can get a job that doesn't require you to work so much overtime? That will really help you with school options. Check around to see. You may even want to think about helping in a place where you could pick up some technology and graphic arts skills just on the side, since that is the field you're interested in studying.

I agree with you that online school can sometimes be pretty pricey, and although I don't personally know all of your individual circumstances, I am guessing that you might not have the support of classmates and professors to really keep you going. I'd suggest looking at the colleges around you first, especially if you have to continue supporting the rest of your family. Thanks again for writing me, and please consider my advice to find someone you can trust to help you along in the process of going back to school.

Of course you could start something like that. It would be for a wonderful cause. I would suggest the first thing to do is talk to a teacher that you trust about it. Every school organization usually needs an adviser who is a teacher willing to help out the organization and provide resources. See if you can find a teacher who will back you on this, and then they can help you figure out how to draw up some plans for the organization and present it to a school committee or one of the principals or vice principals.

You might also want to write down a few stories about growing up in your home country and how you saw other schools that were sponsored by U.S. schools changing (hopefully for the better). Students your age want to help people in other countries; I believe there is an awareness among teenagers about the poverty in the world like there has never been before, partly due to the Internet. Sharing your own story might only strengthen that awareness. If you can do something to help the school that you came from and encourage your fellow classmates to come along for the ride, that would be a great thing. And yes, it might help you stand out a bit to colleges, but I think the most important thing you'd gain is the satisfaction of making a difference in the culture you came from.

Congratulations! The GI Bill can certainly pay off - it will pay all your tuition and fees for a public school or pay private school costs up to $17,500, as well as providing allowances for housing and textbooks. I suggest the first thing you do is to read through the stipulations of the bill carefully. The GI Bill is being adapted and adjusted as I write. Some changes to the benefits just went into effect in August; some will go into effect in October. Keep checking and rechecking the website for updates, or solicit help from one of your supervisors.

Also, it wouldn't hurt to contact some of the community schools you're interested in applying to and ask them very specifically if the GI Bill benefits will apply to you if you decide to transfer to a four-year university. Some schools might refuse tuition assistance if you take ineligible courses or if you transfer, so you might want to be thorough when checking exactly where your GI Bill benefits apply. So I suggest you ask for help from schools you're interested in and also get some help from a GI counselor or education adviser. That's really going to be your best bet - there should be military that are prepared to advise and help you with this next step. Perhaps there are seminars and sessions that help military navigate the confusion of the GI Bill. See if such a meeting is offered on your base in the near future.

There is also a whole page devoted to GI educational resources to help you out: taking the SAT/ACT, choosing an eligible school, etc. Definitely use these resources. Definitely download and read the guide found at the top of that page! These resources will help you choose the right school and figure out what to do about test-taking.

Also, have you thought about trying to get into a four-year university right away instead of a community college? Or a technical college that specializes in video game design? The new bill is specifically adjusted to help veterans get into four-year colleges - you might want to take advantage of that. There's no reason not to look at these options...especially if you have been doing well in your military career and work hard to study for the ACT/SAT. It could be a really good way to go and definitely spares you the hassle of trying to transfer your credits and/or benefits.

Whatever you decide, I wish you the best and thank you for your service.

 

That's a great question. According to the University of Virginia website breaking down the state government policy regarding "Virginia domicile," you may be eligible for in-state tuition if your father has lived in Virginia for a year or more. Here's the response from the website:

Q: If my parents are divorced am I eligible for in-state educational privileges if I live outside of Virginia and my non-custodial parent lives in Virginia?
A: Yes, if the non-custodial parent contributes substantially to your support and is domiciled in Virginia.

I suggest you read the website for more specific information about how to obtain in-state tuition, however. And once you apply to schools, you should certainly check with their admissions officers to be safe. Good luck.

Good question. The most efficient way to find out the amount of credits you've taken (if they've recorded any) and your GPA (also if recorded) is simply to contact the admissions offices of these two schools you attended after high school. That might feel a bit nerve-wracking to you, but it's really not a huge deal. You can simply ask them whether they recorded any credits or GPA on your transcript. In fact, you could ask both schools for a copy of your transcript(s) if you want to do that. Then you'll have that knowledge right at your fingertips for future applications.

Either way, you'll have to record every institution you've attended even if you've dropped out. If you try to hide that fact, future colleges you apply to have ways of finding out and revoking or refusing your admission. (A side note: You may not have had any intention of doing that -- but I wanted to make sure, since I receive many questions from people who think they can leave past colleges attended off their applications. Applicants just cannot do that. No college wants to admit a person who isn't honest.)

Now, as far as choosing and applying to colleges, if you have a preferred area or school, go ahead and apply around. You might be admitted to a four-year college on a provisional basis, meaning that if you complete your first classes with good grades you will be officially accepted later on. Or you can apply to some community colleges again and work up a good "track record" so that you can transfer to a four-year university after a year or two. The most straightforward way to begin applying is simply to check the websites of the different colleges you are interested in and follow their instructions for application. Your VA associates should also be able to help you with that process, as you mentioned.

Keep in mind that you need to make sure the schools you are applying to comply with the provisions of the GI Bill or that the particular classes you decide to take are covered. For instance, a MCG blog post earlier this year spotlighted a school which offers an engineering track for military members. But whatever school you choose, you certainly want to make sure your courses will be covered financially by the bill. If you're not sure, ask each school's admissions office, and ask your VA staff for help on that too.

Congratulations on your decision to return to school, and thank you for your service. All the best.

If your son is doing well at the parochial school, he may well want to stay there since they have honors colleges and extracurricular activities. But given your financial struggles, I also don’t think it would hurt him to attend one of the top academic high schools, assuming he’s confident he can do at least as well as he’s doing now. The main thing that colleges will see first is that he graduated from this top school, along with his GPA. And, while he shouldn’t slack off in his senior year, only his first semester’s grades will have the most importance. I would make sure, of course, that all of the credits transfer from school to school.
 
I also think your son's story, in either case, will make good essay material. He didn’t switch schools just on a whim but instead because of circumstances beyond his control. It sounds like he has an interesting story to tell about being in Italy with his dad and how he had to travel and adapt to different situations. Also, if he switches schools again, he can be forthright and say it was because of the economy and the school had become unaffordable. I think going through all of these experiences can show him to be a resilient person who overcame the challenge of changing schools - which is difficult for students in high school from both an academic and social standpoint.