Still have questions? Ask our Dean! You can also search the archive to see past questions and answers. E-mail your questions to: thedean@careersandcolleges.com.
Should my parents help me?
How much should I allow my parents to influence my college choice?At the end of the admission process, there is a decision to be made. It's important that you and your parents keep communicating throughout the process so that the final decision can be a mutual one. You should make the choice as to where you will attend college, along with your parents' input on affordability. College is an investment in your future. Where you will attend college is the first step to your career goal. Keep talking as you plan your list, as you visit colleges, and as you receive your acceptance and financial information. You need to choose a school that you think is a good fit, and where you feel that you can excel. Your parents want what's best for you—so hopefully, your decisions will match up.
Ask the Dean Archive
Test Prep
- Are AP tests worth it?
- Can I hide my SAT scores?
- How can I increase my vocabulary?
- I have a learning disabilitiy; should I take AP courses?
- Should I take a test prep course?
- What can I do to increase my SAT score?
- What does the SAT represent?
- What is on the SAT?
- What is the TOEFL?
- When should I take the SATs?
Special Interests
- Can you explain extracurricular activities?
- Do athletics affect my application?
- How do I get into medical school?
- How do colleges track your interest?
- I was not able to take a foreign language. Will colleges overlook that?
- Is there a way to get a college to recruit me for a sport?
- Should my parents help me?
- What do you recommend for someone with learning disabilities looking at colleges?
- What if I can't visit?
- What is an honors course?
Financial Aid
- Are there scholarships for two-year college students?
- Can I win scholarships if I didn't do extracurricular activities?
- How can I apply for scholarships?
- How else can I pay for college besides financial aid?
- If I live on campus can I be independent from my parents for financial aid?
- Scholarship scams: How can I get even?
- What is financial aid?
- What to do about credit issues?
- What's the FAFSA?
- When are you in-state or out of state?
- When should I apply for scholarships?
- Where can I find loans?
Careers
- Help, I don't know what to major in!
- How can I find a school with a good science program?
- I want to learn more about technology jobs...
- I'm confused about what major to choose....
- I'm not happy with my career...now what?
- What about technical schools?
- What if I'm not sure about college?
Admission Advice
- Can I apply to multiple colleges for Early Decision?
- Classes are starting. How often should I attend, and do I need the textbook?
- Community college or university?
- Do I have to complete a college interview?
- Do colleges consider summer activities?
- Do colleges prefer students who take a lot of AP courses?
- Help! I have a bad high school GPA!
- My counselor isn't very helpful. What should I do?
- What happens during a college visit?
- What is the Common Application?
- What questions should I ask during a college interview?
- What's the difference between a college and a university?
- When should I visit?
- Where do I begin?
- Why do I have to live on campus?
- Will one bad semester hurt my college applications?
