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Facebook Live Recap: Ask America's College Counselor (9.29.21)

Fall is an important season in the college admissions cycle, and viewers had a lot of questions during my September Facebook Live Q&A on topics like college applications, Early Decision, essays, and much more!

If you missed this session of Ask America's College Counselor, keep reading for a list of some of the questions I answered and to watch the full video.

SOME QUESTIONS YOU'LL SEE ME ANSWER: 
  • Can some supplemental essays reveal nothing other than a random hobby, interest, or quirk?
  • Is it better to take an AP class over a community college course if you had a choice?
  • Any tips for when to submit test scores?
  • If my child chooses to apply Early Decision, would they have the opportunity to defer?
  • Does being a National Merit Semifinalist help a student's college application?
  • Should a student submit an AP score of three to selective colleges or just fours and fives? Does it look bad to submit some but not all?
  • What do you mean by “layering your application”?
  • What does it mean that a college is test optional?
  • Do mid-year senior year grades have an impact on admissions?
  • Is there a preference between Common App or Coalition App?
  • Does Early Decision still lock you in if finances are an issue?
  • How do you come up with a topic for the main college essay?
  • When should you use the Additional Information section on the Common App?
  • If my student doesn't declare his major in his application, will it reflect badly on his selection process?
  • If reporting an SAT score on the Common App, does it mean all schools using the Common App will see that score?

    (Note: If you're unable to view the video below, click here to watch!)