Q: What general advice do you have for me?
A: Before you sit down to make your list of schools, take a long hard look at who you are and what your passions are. Take into consideration the activities you enjoy, what you have accomplished so far and what you would like to do in the future. Think about the kind of environment you thrive in. Do you like big cities? The suburbs? Or even rural towns? Do you feel stifled in a conservative environment or do you cringe at the thought of student protests? And don't forget how you plan to spend your time on campus. Are you looking for a school where you would be challenged primarily on an academic level, or would you prefer a balance between academics and developing other interests?

Your answers to these questions will determine the schools that would be the best fit for you. Once you've answered many of these questions and have a better sense of the options available to you, we recommend creating a tentative list of 15-20 schools from which you will begin your research. Eventually, you'll whittle it down to 6-8 schools that you will apply to. It's also important to visit the school and make sure what you've read about it is real.

Finally, start early with the application process (10th grade), and avoid jumping on the "all my friends are going there" bandwagon. College is not a "one size fits all" proposition. There are many ways you can stay connected with your friends after high school, but college doesn't need to be one of them. When it comes to your choice of schools, you need to follow your own heart.

Q: How important are grades and SAT scores to the application process?
A: Grades and SAT or ACT scores are absolutely critical to the application process. Unlike graduate schools, where great emphasis is placed on work experience, grades and test scores are a critical factor in whether or not you'll be admitted to your school of interest. If you do not have standardized test scores and grades within the range the school is looking for, it is highly unlikely that you would be considered favorably. Of course, exceptions may exist in cases where there are extenuating circumstances.

Because of the great value placed on your academic variables, it's vital that you adequately prepare for the SAT/ACT. Study for the test the summer before your junior year and take a prep course if your PSAT scores are below the school's accepted range. In addition, make sure to take all the courses that are a requisite for admission to top schools (Math, Science, English, Foreign Language and Social Studies). Taking tough classes and doing well in them is also very important. Top tier schools are not looking for individuals who have taken "soft" classes with little academic rigor. Having B's in Advanced Placement courses are better than getting straight A's in academically unchallenging classes.

With that said, academic excellence alone does not guarantee admission to top schools, as evidenced by the many individuals with 4.00 GPA and 1600 SAT who don't get accepted. Schools are looking for students who are self-aware, have excelled in an area they are passionate about and have given something back to their school (i.e., sports, student leadership) or their community. As such, pay close attention to your essays. Writing compelling, insightful essays that articulate who you are, what's important to you, what you hope to get from the school and how you will contribute can be a tremendous factor in differentiating you from other applicants. Your recommendation letters and descriptions of student and community involvement are additional data points in determining who's admitted and who isn't.

Q: How important is visiting the school campus?
A: Campus visits are very important in the application process for three reasons:

1) It gives you a chance to go beyond the glossy brochures, delve deeper into what life is like as a student there and gauge whether the culture of the school is a fit for you;

2) You can make connections with the Admissions Board, communicate your interest in the school and establish rapport with the individuals who may be involved in making a decision on your application in the future;

3) Finally, it's important to enhance your understanding of the school, what they're looking for and their values/culture so you're better equipped to incorporate these elements in your application when you write your essays.

Q: I know competition is significant when applying to top tier schools, how many schools should I apply to and how do I hedge my bets?
A: You are absolutely right, competition is extremely steep and given that many of the top tier schools accept 20-30% of the applicants, you do want to hedge your bets. Applying to 6-8 schools seems to be a manageable number of schools to give you enough room to have your safety and reach schools. I recommend having 2-3 safety schools, 2-3 moderately competitive schools (50/50% acceptance) and 2 reach schools where you are outside of the range.

Many of the top schools offer early decision or early acceptance options. These are worth exploring if you have a top choice school and have no interest in getting financial aid.

Q: What's your take on interviews?
A: Interview policies vary from school to school. Harvard College requires them and the interviews do carry some weight in the school's decision process. While other schools may not require interviews, we recommend taking advantage of them even when they're optional (unless you don't connect well in person). Accordingly, it's important for you to research the interview policy of each school you're interested in and plan accordingly.

To ensure a successful interview, preparation is very important. Know everything possible about the school. Equally important is knowing yourself very well in terms of being able to speak comfortably about your strengths, achievements and plans for the future. You should research the school itself, as well as speak to alumni and currently enrolled students. Ideally, you will have already visited the school. This will enable you to talk intelligently about the school, it's focus, interests, unique positioning and what contributions you will make. You will also need to know your application inside out. There is often a lag between the time you submit your application and when you interview. Those few weeks in between require that you go back and re-read your application to familiarize yourself on those aspects of yourself that you presented as your personal brand so that you can eloquently connect the fit of your brand with the school's brand.

Q: What should I do if I am waitlisted?
A: Getting off the waitlist can be a difficult process, but it is possible in some cases. It depends on the school. Some have a history of only a handful of people who get off the waitlist, while others offer a greater likelihood that you may eventually be accepted. You should contact the school directly to find out their specific policy.

If you have already been accepted at one of the schools you applied to, you should send a deposit to hold your spot at that school while, at the same time, creating a waitlist strategy before contacting them. This strategy can include: having your counselor put in a call on your behalf, enlisting faculty supporters who can write a letter on your behalf to reinforce your strength as a candidate, submitting new transcripts when you have stellar grades, a campus interview if it is available, and forwarding any new information (such as an award) that is relevant and reflects you in a positive light.

Cleary, being on the waiting list isn't the type of situation that elicits patience. But it's a fine line between waiting to hear back and being bothersome, barraging the admissions board with irrelevant information. Balance is important, so use wisdom when contacting the school.

Finally, if you've done your best to follow up with the school in ways that reinforce your qualifications and interest but your status doesn't change, you may have to accept the possibility that you won't get the admission acceptance you had hoped for. While disappointing, the best thing to do is take a step back and re-focus, then direct your energies on a different school and the successes you can enjoy there.