Questions to Ask About College Admissions
Strategic questions that help you understand the college admissions process, requirements, and how to strengthen your application.
1What are the most important factors in your admissions decisions?
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What are the most important factors in your admissions decisions?
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Why this works
Reveals their evaluation criteria and helps you understand what they prioritize, allowing you to focus your application efforts effectively.
2How do you evaluate extracurricular activities versus academic performance?
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How do you evaluate extracurricular activities versus academic performance?
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Why this works
Shows the balance between different application components and helps you understand how to present your activities strategically.
3What's the most common mistake students make in their applications?
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What's the most common mistake students make in their applications?
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Why this works
Helps you avoid common pitfalls and shows what admissions officers see repeatedly that hurts applications.
4How do you handle students with unique circumstances or challenges?
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How do you handle students with unique circumstances or challenges?
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Why this works
Reveals their approach to holistic review and shows how they consider context beyond just numbers and achievements.
5What makes an essay stand out to you?
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What makes an essay stand out to you?
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Why this works
Gives insight into what they value in personal statements and helps you craft more compelling essays.
6How important are standardized test scores in your process?
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How important are standardized test scores in your process?
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Why this works
Shows the weight given to test scores and helps you understand if your scores are a strength or area for improvement.
7What role do letters of recommendation play in your decisions?
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What role do letters of recommendation play in your decisions?
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Why this works
Reveals how they use recommendations and helps you choose the right people to write your letters.
8How do you evaluate students from different high schools or backgrounds?
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How do you evaluate students from different high schools or backgrounds?
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Why this works
Shows their approach to contextual evaluation and helps you understand how they consider your specific circumstances.
9What's the most impressive thing you've seen in an application?
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What's the most impressive thing you've seen in an application?
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Why this works
Reveals what stands out positively and gives you ideas for how to make your application memorable.
10How do you handle students who have changed their academic focus?
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How do you handle students who have changed their academic focus?
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Why this works
Shows their approach to students with evolving interests and helps you present your academic journey effectively.
11What advice would you give to someone applying next year?
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What advice would you give to someone applying next year?
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Why this works
Provides strategic guidance and shows what they wish more applicants knew about the process.
12How do you evaluate leadership experience?
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How do you evaluate leadership experience?
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Why this works
Reveals what they consider leadership and helps you present your leadership roles more effectively.
13What's the biggest misconception about your admissions process?
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What's the biggest misconception about your admissions process?
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Why this works
Clarifies common misunderstandings and helps you avoid making assumptions that could hurt your application.
14How do you handle students with gaps in their academic record?
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How do you handle students with gaps in their academic record?
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Why this works
Shows their approach to non-traditional academic paths and helps you address any concerns proactively.
15What role does demonstrated interest play in your decisions?
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What role does demonstrated interest play in your decisions?
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Why this works
Reveals how much they value engagement with the school and helps you show appropriate interest.
16How do you evaluate students who are undecided about their major?
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How do you evaluate students who are undecided about their major?
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Why this works
Shows their approach to undeclared students and helps you present your exploration of interests positively.
17What's the most challenging part of your job as an admissions officer?
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What's the most challenging part of your job as an admissions officer?
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Why this works
Reveals the human side of admissions and helps you understand the complexity of their decision-making process.
18How do you handle students with strong academics but weak extracurriculars?
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How do you handle students with strong academics but weak extracurriculars?
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Why this works
Shows how they balance different application strengths and helps you understand what to emphasize.
19What trends are you seeing in applications this year?
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What trends are you seeing in applications this year?
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Why this works
Provides current context and helps you understand the competitive landscape you're entering.
20How do you ensure fairness in your admissions process?
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How do you ensure fairness in your admissions process?
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Why this works
Shows their commitment to equitable evaluation and helps you understand their approach to diversity and inclusion.
Best Practices for College Admissions Conversations
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Be Genuine and Authentic
Admissions officers can spot insincerity. Ask questions that show genuine interest in their process and your own educational goals.
Focus on Understanding, Not Impressing
Use questions to learn about their process rather than trying to showcase your knowledge. They want to help you succeed.
Ask About Specifics
General questions get general answers. Ask about specific aspects of their process, requirements, or evaluation criteria.
Question Sequences
The Application Strategy Sequence
The Holistic Review Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Ask About Your Chances
Avoid questions like 'Do I have a good chance of getting in?' Focus on understanding the process instead.
Don't Compare Yourself to Others
Avoid questions that pit you against other applicants. Focus on understanding their evaluation criteria instead.
Don't Ask for Special Treatment
Don't ask questions that suggest you want preferential treatment. Focus on understanding their standard process.