Admissions Expertise Can the number of times you contact a college impact your chances? 674 Likes Like This Answer Already Liked This Answer Thank you, this item will be reviewed. How many schools should students apply to? 144 Likes Like This Answer Already Liked This Answer Thank you, this item will be reviewed. If I haven’t found the right extracurriculars, can I still appear to be a dedicated student? The admissions process is all about “fit” – finding a good college fit for you – and for us it is looking for students that will fit into our school. The essay is a great place for us to get to know you better – just make sure it is authentically you. The best way to ensure this is to write your essay – follow the directions – and then let it sit in a drawer for a few days. If you pull it out of the drawer after a few days and reread it – and it sounds like you – then it is probably ready to go. 710 Likes Like This Answer Already Liked This Answer Thank you, this item will be reviewed. Tuition aside, what benefits and drawbacks exist by going to school in-state vs. out-of-state? Many students don’t consider a college in their hometown or home state because they believe they know it too well – because they pass by it frequently. I would advise you to visit this school like you would an out of state institution. Make an appointment with the admissions office, take a full tour, eat in the cafeteria, stay overnight if available – in other words, look at this school like you would if it was located may miles from home. This will allow you to see it with different eyes, and you might like what you see! 391 Likes Like This Answer Already Liked This Answer Thank you, this item will be reviewed. Are supplemental materials read? Do they have an effect on admissions? 718 Likes Like This Answer Already Liked This Answer Thank you, this item will be reviewed. In all of your years working with students, what were some of the most unexpected admissions successes you witnessed? I was heading out of my office a couple of years ago in May and I was approached by a young man. He looked familiar, but I wasn’t quite sure. He came right up to me and extended his hand. He said, “Dean Blust, you might not remember me, but 3 years ago you took a chance on me coming from a community college to Marquette. Next week I will graduate from MU, and you changed my life, and I just wanted to say thanks.” We shook hands, and I try to recall that story whenever I question why I do this work. 959 Likes Like This Answer Already Liked This Answer Thank you, this item will be reviewed. How can I work with schools to boost my financial aid? Are there other sources of student aid? Many schools offer their best financial aid package right up front. These schools are not in a position to negotiate but most, if not all, are willing to review an award if the family has special circumstances (job loss, high medical/dental bill not covered by insurance or elementary/secondary tuition). If someone wants to pursue special circumstances, they need to provide documentation of the situation – bills, layoff notices, unemployment, severance packages and signed federal tax returns. These discussions should occur with each school the student is interested in directly. Schools can also help you secure alternative forms of funding as well. Start with the Financial Aid Office. 932 Likes Like This Answer Already Liked This Answer Thank you, this item will be reviewed. To find scholarships, where should I look, what's needed of me, and which ones seem craziest? Most scholarship applications require very specific application materials – often an essay is required. And the essay most often asks a student to reply to a direct question or comment on a certain topic. Many students take themselves out of serious scholarship consideration by simply not following directions. The essay is too long or too short. It strays from the desired topic. It doesn’t display any connection to the scholarship in question. It arrives past the stated deadline. Put your best foot forward – pay very close attention to the details – they matter! 782 Likes Like This Answer Already Liked This Answer Thank you, this item will be reviewed. How should the college essay tie into the rest of the application? 798 Likes Like This Answer Already Liked This Answer Thank you, this item will be reviewed. See More Questions Close