Your Important College Admissions Questions Answered

From application stress to test score worries, high school students and parents have a lot on their minds these days, and that's just the start of the college admissions process. As do Admissions offices, of course, in their quest to do ever better for their institutions.

There's a lot of stress out there for high schools, from applications to tests to just plain having a social life. As parents of a highly competitive high school junior ourselves, we've compiled a list of questions that was on our minds and researched them. Here's a look at some of the current concerns and trends, as well as a glimpse at what college administrators and parents should really focus on in the coming year.

-Why can't there be only one application covering all colleges?

Well, for parents, you can breathe a sigh of relief. An increasing number of colleges are accepting the Common Application, a nonprofit that offers the same basic application format. However, many of these colleges offer supplements that are uniquely created to add to the Common Application. Some colleges, such as the University of Chicago (known for its uncommon application), don't even offer the Common Application as an offer. Nonetheless, it's reassuring to not have to fill each college application repeatedly.

If you do have to fill out supplements, remember that most are simply data-oriented, asking the basic types of information for those applying, including most commonly extra family and school data, demographic and financial background, and others. A select amount of colleges actually add one or more essays.

However, even if you have a fair amount of essays to write, make sure to follow a procedure known as recycling, which is to say, using the same essay on almost all topics. Modify and mend those topics to bend to the essay's question, and that's acceptable because most colleges allow their questions to be quite broad. As for late July, almost 300 colleges have signed on to be part of the Common Application group.

-What's the difference between paper and electronic applications, and does it matter which I submit?

There are countless problems with e-application this year. Many will feel frustration as database fails and stored information are lost. However, most colleges allow applicants to submit online and mail, while a few number require applicants to submit the exact same way.

Instructions are often quite muddy, as some colleges allow a minimal amount of extra words, while others cut it off. To avoid any technical hassles, make sure to carefully and thoroughly read all instructions individually for each college.

There are lots of reasons to apply online, which outweighs the reasons not the apply online. Many colleges offer monetary incentives to apply online, so you might have to pay those hefty application fees at all. In addition, colleges encrypt and save applications so you won't have to worry about your mail not arriving or accidentally losing one. Also, colleges tend to prefer online applications so they do not have to process it in the mail.

Should I apply Early?

Parents and students alike must realize that there are many types of possibilities for applying early: early decision-round one or two, early action, rolling admission, rolling early decision, restrictive early action are just some of the factors. There are many possibilities to consider. These terms stand for many different deadlines and meanings, and, as the national board of college admissions, the National Association of College Admission Consulting agrees, clarify your admission plans with each individual college to not risk a mistake or misunderstanding, which is absolutely the best way. However, generally, Early Action means that this college is your number one choice-the college of your dream-and if accepted, you also accept going to that college as obligation and accepting less financial aid, since you cannot compare offers and bargain.

For instance, a student can apply to Princeton under its restrictive early action plan, but cannot, at the same time, apply to another college under an early decision, or, for that matter, an early action plan. Generally however, public colleges and universities tend to be the exceptions if they use rolling admission or sometimes early action. However, Stanford with its restrictive early action, does not allow students to apply early action to a public or government-funded university, but does allow rolling admission candidates to any type of school. Obviously, the point here is to painstakingly research each colleges definitions, terms, and deadlines to avoid any heartache. There are many inconsistencies between and within colleges, and don't get too upset if the current conditions do not go your way.

What if I don't do well on standardized tests?

The update on the new SAT with the important writing section added to the ACT, there are mounting pressures that many high schoolers face in these tests. The stakes are now even higher with longer test times and it's a tough and even traumatic experience to survive.

Here's a summary: the SAT now runs approximately four hours, though a student with special needs can get extended time accommodations.

Note that there is a movement to pressure the College Board in dividing the sections in different times or days to alleviate stress.

There is also a push to create optional test submission. Such universities such as St. Mary's College in Maryland have found an almost 23% increase in applications after dropping the required tests.

And there are also colleges offering many alternatives to standardized tests, such as Hamilton College, Haverford College, College of the Holy Cross, and Pomona College.

Can I get in?

As fierce competition for admission into the nation's most competitive colleges increases by folds, many are becoming more concerned about the unpredictability and instability of admission decisions. One might find that the valedictorian of a school be rejected to Harvard even with the toughest courses, great activities, and over the top test scores, while the average student get admitted on full financial scholarship. Thankfully, there has been a crop of technology that assesses a students chance of getting in a specific college, with these software or tools measuring a wide of factors that are not limited to just academics and scores. One such tool that is commonly used is the Naviance program. The data and program is not flawless, but it does offer a rough and relative sketch for a person's chances and should place a reality check on the students aspirations.

The Merit-Based Aid Game

This is a tricky one. Even with the billions of dollars available out there from aid, there are many statistics to consider. Applying does not mean inevitably receiving a scholarship, yet does significantly open up opportunities, so do not hesitate to apply. It is well worth the time, but brace yourself for rejection, as millions of talented students each year vie for the top spots in this formidable competitive arena.

It is undoubtedly a true statement that poorer kids get need-based aid from government, institutions, and the schools themselves, but many trends and data are showing that the merit aid tends to be awarded in the top echelons of socioeconomic activity.

It is perhaps not an understatement that a sort of arms race is under way between colleges, competing to see which can give the most aid to the most number of students. Make yourself fit into this crowd and stand out. Those who don't even apply for aid often find themselves surprised to learn about thousands of dollars in scholarship that are offered to them simply for applying, so please, don't hesitate at all.

It is true that lower-income students are more likely to receive need-based aid from the federal government, while higher-income students are not, so colleges perhaps do not need to subsidize the aid packages of lower-income students as substantially. However, it is also the case that the money pouring into non-need-based aid packages for wealthier students is taking away from colleges' ability to support the needs of lower- and middle-income families.

A type of arms race is underway, and we are seeing it in the awards given to many students with no need of support, who don't even apply for aid or scholarships, and who are often quite surprised to be offered $5,000, $10,000, $15,000, or more as an enticement to attend a particular college. We are most concerned about the threat this poses to colleges without the substantial endowments of all but a few of the elite institutions who might soon find themselves unable to maintain a financial model based on huge discounting.

Definitely show interest, the more the better, so the colleges can gauge your perceptions of them and make decisions accordingly. Find a niche in your resume and develop and pound on it as many ways as possible. Just like advertising, you must find a way for colleges to remember you favorably.

All this talk of college and the countless questions it raises leads to the ultimate question: "Is it worth it in the long run?" Obviously, there is no way to tell now, but only time will show the benefits-if any-of the toils and pain that the college admissions process gives to its applicants. I wish all the best of luck in their endeavors to find the college of their dreams-and get accepted.