The College Application Questions I Hear Most from Parents and Students Part 1 of 2

Lisa Hillhouse, IEC, Founder, Hillhouse College and Career Advising, LLC

Every fall, I field a version of the same questions from families who are entering the college application process for the first time. But, even veteran parents have questions since college admissions continue to change, sometimes in dramatic ways, in recent years.
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I've been on both sides of this process, as a counselor guiding thousands of students through it, and as a parent who has sat exactly where you're sitting. Here are the questions I hear most often, along with the answers you really need to know to make the next right move and get those applications submitted on-time.

"How many schools should be on the list?"

There's no magic number, but somewhere between eight and twelve is typical, although I’ve had as little as three and as many as 20.  What matters most is the list balance: a mix of reach, target, and likely schools, with attention to academic, social, and financial fit. 
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A list of twelve reach category schools isn't a list, it's a wish. Focus on options your teen has researched and would genuinely be happy to attend. Ensure they are in your budget. If a student applies to ten schools, that list should have two or three likely schools for admission, four to five target or match schools, and two or three reach schools. Some of my students only apply to targets. Others are a mix of likely and targets. This strategy often results in strong merit aid and great results for competitive majors. Reaches should never be the majority of the list. College admissions is increasingly competitive. While the majority of my students are getting into most schools they apply to, they anticipate they may not get into their reach schools because those schools admit small numbers and are often over applied to. However, they have several targets they are really excited about before applying. This is a great place to be.

"Do I need to have an Early Decision school? Isn’t Regular Decision fine for most schools?”

Early Decision (ED) is a binding commitment, meaning if your student is accepted, they immediately make the admissions deposit and pull back all of their other applications. You can only apply to one early decision school. Most students do not apply using ED since the binding commitment and the lack of time to get other offers, including most state schools, is no longer an option. Additionally, most students don’t have one school they absolutely are sold on that early in the admissions process. 
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Early Action (EA) is not binding, so you can apply early to multiple schools and still weigh other offers later. Regular Decision (RD) has the latest deadlines and no commitment as well. However, many college applications have been submitted in the earlier admissions rounds. As offers go out, the remaining class seats dwindle. Additionally, each school has different scholarship deadlines. Sometimes applying RD means you missed the scholarship deadline, so check your schools carefully. Each option has trade-offs around admit rates, special program deadlines, and merit scholarship offers. If the cost of college is a factor, do not apply ED. If you have not visited a college, deeply researched it, and are absolutely confident it is the place for you, the same advice applies.

"Does a college need to know I have a learning difference?”

​Learning differences (LD) are diagnosed and treated, often successfully, earlier than ever. For many students, their LD is a smaller part of their story and not one they feel is relevant in the college admissions process. 

However, if a student has a recent diagnosis, or a medical condition that severely impacted their lives and their academics, it may be worth mentioning. This could be in the Additional Comments section of the app. It may be something the school counselor puts in a recommendation letter. In some cases, a student may mention it in their main essay. However, it is often not the main story because that can detract from the student’s other talents. 
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When writing about an LD or health issue, simply state it, the impact it had, and show how you are succeeding now. Leave a college confident you are ready to attend and thrive there. Reflect on your journey and what it taught you. don’t just retell the facts. The best essays aren't about the hardest thing that happened, they're about what your student noticed, learned, or how they grew.

"How many times should I rewrite my main essay?"

More than once, fewer than ten. In my experience, most strong essays go through three to five real rounds of revision, plus one pass focused purely on cutting anything that isn't doing work. If a student is on draft ten and still unhappy, the issue is usually the topic, not the wording. Read your essay loud when finished. How does it sound? Ask someone who knows you if it tells a story unique to you. Ponder which traits and values your essay says about you. Are they the ones you want the admissions reader to walk away with? Once finished, let your essay sit for a few days. Go back with fresh eyes for the final read.

"What actually goes on the Activities List?"

Everything that shows how your student spends their time and what they care about, particularly outside the classroom, should be considered for the activities section. Admissions readers are not looking for expensive Ivy-League camps or graduate research opportunities. They want to know what makes YOU, you. Passionate about gluten-free baking? Started a used instrument collection drive for your elementary school? Helping elderly neighbors with their chores? Started a hacky-sack club at your school? Each of these has values and shows who you are. These are less common examples. Employment, volunteering, athletics, scouts, military training programs, and more belong here.

Be sure to quantify wherever you can: hours per week, funds raised, people led, seasons played. A part-time job or family responsibility can say as much about character as a leadership title like captain or president.


If you're in the middle of this right now and wondering whether what you're feeling is normal, it probably is. I'd love to help make the process feel a little less like a maze and a little more like a plan. Reach out any time for guidance with a complimentary consult.

​www.hillhousecollegeadvising.com I wish your family the best during this exciting time.