College admissions is competitive,

After your campus tour set aside time to just wander and explore. Stop in the food court so you can see how students interact with one another and what the general mood is on campus. If you're planning to live on campus you'll want to see the dorms. If this isn't included in your tour, ask someone in the Admission Office if it's possible to see a room before you leave. Another important thing to do during your visit is to eat the food! Many schools include lunch in the dining hall as part of your tour.

Don't worry! Many schools now offer virtual campus tours on their websites so you can get a great feel for what the campus looks like. You can also try to arrange a Skype, FaceTime or telephone interview with an admission counselor, as opposed to having one on campus. Another great way to get to know a school sans visit is to ask your admission counselor if there is a current student with whom you can communicate via email. This student to student contact can be an invaluable resource for you.

Most admission officers, if asked, will tell you that they are looking for students who are well-rounded, involved, academically motivated, and who have demonstrated success in the classroom. Depending on the individual programs to which a student is applying, admission officers may be looking for more specific criteria such as an art portfolio, additional testing (i.e. TOEFL for international students), or auditions for performance majors.

Absolutely! College counselors can provide great insight into a student's background, as well as serve as a valuable resource in learning more about a particular school. Admission officers may even reach out to college counselors when there are items in an applicants file that need more explanation.

The answer is: absolutely. However, the reality is that college admission offices don't have the time or staff resources to search every prospective student's Facebook page. That being said, it's important to remember that if your page isn't set to be private then everything you post is for public consumption. Use common sense when posting things on your page and shy away from anything that could be viewed negatively. Better safe than sorry.

In almost all cases, siblings who are going through the college admission process at the same school will be reviewed independently of one another. This means that, unfortunately, if you and your twin are both applying to Cool School U, there is a chance that one of you could be admitted while the other is not. However, there are actually some schools that, should you both be admitted and decide to attend, will award you a scholarship for being a twin...pretty cool!

Of course! In fact, most students will find that almost all colleges now have either their own online application on their website, or many use the Common Application (www.commonapp.org) or Universal College Application (www.universalcollegeapp.com). The great part about applying online is that you have an electronic record of everything you've submitted AND you're often able to track your application status online. The downside is that technology has its glitches so you need to make sure you keep hard copies of EVERYTHING!

Absolutely! If a college gives you the option of submitting either and electronic OR a paper application then there will not be any difference in how it is reviewed. However, if a college indicates that you must submit your application online you should NOT print it out and mail it in. Doing this may mean additional work for them and shows that you are unwilling to follow directions...not a great way to begin the application process.

Though some schools do ask for students to include a resume, this is generally unnecessary. The items that you would include on a resume (club memberships, work experience, awards, etc.) are all things that are already being asked of you on your application. Though a resume does streamline this information, some admission officers may just bypass your resume as an additional piece of paper with repetitive information.

The best way to get great teacher recommendations is to select teachers who know you well and will be able to give a candid evaluation of you (it helps if you've done well in their class!). Colleges generally want to see one recommendation from either a Math or Science teacher, and one from either an English or History teacher. Your recommending teachers should be those that you have had within the past 2 years as they will have had the most recent interactions with you and be able to accurately attest to your abilities.

Students shouldn't rush the recommendation letter process. By giving your teachers or counselors a limited amount of time to complete their recommendations, you're also giving them less time to write a thoughtful, comprehensive, and strong recommendation for you...not a great thing when it's a main part of your application.

Absolutely. Some colleges will give you an application fee waiver for visiting their campus, while others will waive your fee for applying online. If you know an alum of a college that you are applying to, they may be able to secure a fee waiver for you from the Alumni Office. For those students who have received a fee waiver to take the SAT, you may also find some colleges will waive their application fee (a list of schools with this policy can be found on the College Board website). Finally, if the application fee presents a financial hardship to you then it won't hurt for you to simply contact the Office of Admission at the schools to which you are applying and ask if it's possible to have your fee waived...it doesn't hurt to ask!

The essay plays an important part in your application process because, not only does it demonstrate your writing abilities to the admission committee, it often provides an opportunity for the reader(s) to learn more about you. The amount of weight placed on the essay will vary from school to school but a good rule of thumb is: if it's a requirement, then it's important!

A general rule of thumb is that if a school is requiring that you submit something with your application, then you should assume it is going to be reviewed. Depending on the school, your essay might be read by one to three people. If you are not a clear admit (based on the school's admission criteria) there is a chance your application materials will be reviewed by other members of the admission committee. Some schools also hire application "readers" who only work during the months when schools are receiving the largest influx of applications. These "readers" are generally former admission counselors, alumni, college counselors, etc...so they have experience!

Not only is it okay to have someone proofread your essay, it's highly encouraged! In fact, it's probably a good idea to have two additional sets of eyes take a look at what you've written before you hit "submit." The important thing to remember is that your essay should be just that: Yours. You shouldn't expect the person proofreading your essay to make sweeping changes to what you've written or to re-write any part of your prose. Your essay should be your voice, not that of your teachers or parents.

While it is certainly okay for your parents to proofread your college essays for grammatical errors, it's important that the content of the essay is 100% yours!

The college essay doesn't necessarily need to "tie in" to the rest of your application. That being said, you should be cognizant that what you write in your essay doesn't conflict with other information you've provided in your application. For example, if you write your essay about how much you enjoy community service work but you have no community service involvement on your list of extracurricular activities, the person reading your application may wonder why. One piece of advice would be to use the essay as a place to further elaborate on any part of your application that you feel needs to be explained, such as a really cool travel experience or a drop in your grades.

A great college essay combines creativity, excellent writing, and honesty. The person reading your essay should feel as if they know more about you from reading your essay and they should feel confident that you will be successful with any writing assignments you may be given as a student at their institution. It's important that your essay be a solid reflection of you as a person and as a student, and that you follow the guidelines provided in terms of topic and word-count.

Though some schools do ask for students to include a resume, this is generally unnecessary. The items that you would include on a resume (club memberships, work experience, awards, etc.) are all things that are already being asked of you on your application. Though a resume does streamline this information, some admission officers may just bypass your resume as an additional piece of paper with repetitive information.

Though some schools do ask for students to include a resume, this is generally unnecessary. The items that you would include on a resume (club memberships, work experience, awards, etc.) are all things that are already being asked of you on your application. Though a resume does streamline this information, some admission officers may just bypass your resume as an additional piece of paper with repetitive information.

The biggest benefit of an unpaid internship: the experience! Even though an internship is unpaid doesn't mean it will e any less valuable to you. In fact, you may find that you make some invaluable connections that lead to a paid position in the future.

There are several ways to locate an internship. The first place to check is the Career Services office at your university. When employees are seeking interns they generally share this information with the folks in the Career Services offices. Another option to is to contact specific employers directly. If you already know you'd love to intern at XYZ Inc. then you should first check their website to see if they have any internships available. If not, don't hesitate to reach out to them directly by sending your resume and a cover letter indicating your interest in an internship at their company. You never know what might be available until you ask!

It's important to remember that an internship can be an excellent segue into your profession after graduation. This means that every person you meet could possibly be a connection that will aid you in securing a paid position...a REAL JOB! It's also important to remember that you have an opportunity to provide input and ideas during your internship that your employer might find invaluable. If your employer finds you to be a strong contributing member of the staff you can certainly bank on a great letter of reference, if not a place on their team.

Internships are very important for several reasons. First, internships provide you with the opportunity to explore a potential career field and give you an idea of whether or not it is the right profession for you. Second, you will have the opportunity to make invaluable professional connections by networking with those with you are working during your internship. Finally, many colleges offer course credit to students who complete an internship and who wouldn't take advantage of that opportunity?

Interviews vary from school to school but there are some important things to remember no matter where you are interviewing: 1) The interview should be a conversation. No interviewer wants to just fire questions at you without any kind of dialogue. Make sure you are prepared to back up your responses with more than just "because"; 2) You should be ready to ask some questions, too! By asking questions about the school you are demonstrating your genuine interest in the school and its offerings; 3) Dress appropriately! This doesn't mean you need to buy a tux or a new evening gown but remember that you only have one chance to make a first impression...you need to decide what you'd like that impression to be; 4) Finally, make sure to thank the person interviewing you both before you leave and then perhaps a quick email or letter when you get home.

Interviews vary from school to school but there are some important things to remember no matter where you are interviewing: 1) The interview should be a conversation. No interviewer wants to just fire questions at you without any kind of dialogue. Make sure you are prepared to back up your responses with more than just "because"; 2) You should be ready to ask some questions, too! By asking questions about the school you are demonstrating your genuine interest in the school and its offerings; 3) Dress appropriately! This doesn't mean you need to buy a tux or a new evening gown but remember that you only have one chance to make a first impression...you need to decide what you'd like that impression to be; 4) Finally, make sure to thank the person interviewing you both before you leave and then perhaps a quick email or letter when you get home.

Depending on the school, interviews can be conducted by any number of people associated with the school. On-campus interviews are typically done by a member of the admission staff or an upperclass student. This is important to know as many students are surprised to walk in and find themselves being interviewed by a current student. However, being interviewed by a student gives you an opportunity to ask questions of someone who was in your shoes just a few years prior. Off-campus interviews are often conducted by alumni who are living in your region. If you aren't able to travel to campus for an interview, and are not sure if there are alumni interviews in your city, contact the office of admission and see if there might be someone available with whom you could meet.

The answer is both "YES!" and "It depends." Soem schools will offer what are called "informational interviews" that are meant to serve as an opportunity for you to ask questions about the application process and the school in general. These types of interviews are not used by the admission staff to make decisions about applicants, but instead serve as an opportunity for prospective students to learn more about the school. Schools that have required interviews or "strongly suggest" students interview will absolutely use the interview as part of their decision making process for applicants. The extent to which the interview is weighed in the decision making process varies from school to school.

Absolutely! Many schools employ upper-level (generally senior) students to conduct on-campus interviews with prospective students. This can serve as a great opportunity for the prospective student to speak one-on-one with someone who was in their shoes just a few years prior. If you discover that you are being interviewed by a student, as opposed to an Admission Counselor, don't feel as if you're being snubbed. These programs give the Admission Counselors the ability to spend time reviewing applications and answering phone calls and emails from students, while allowing prospective students the opportunity to speak candidly with someone who may be their peer next year.

Before heading to your college interview it is important that you make sure you have done some research on the school at which you are interviewing. Take some time to look at the school's website, as well as any materials they have sent to you via mail or email, and begin developing a list of questions that you have about the school and its programs. It's important to remember that the interviewer wants to get to know the real you, not a scripted version of yourself, so it's better not to have rehearsed answers. Remember: the interview is a conversation, not a lecture, so make sure you come prepared to ask questions, too!

When an interviewer asks you to tell them about yourself they are simply trying to get to know who you are and what makes you the type of student that would add something to the school community. This isn't a trick question...they really want to know about you! It's important to be honest when responding to this question, though you will want to make sure your answer is appropriate in the context of the interview. Most interviewers want to know about your family background, your academic likes and dislikes, what you do in your free time (or what you would do if you HAD free time!), as well as your goals and aspirations in life. Believe it or not, most interviewers are not out to get you...it's just as important for them to make sure you know what type of students feel most at home on their campus and your responses can help them gauge your "fit" at their school.

Your body language often speaks more loudly than your words, which is why it's important to pay attention to what it might be saying during your interview. An interviewer can spot an uninterested student very quickly by the way in which they are sitting during the interview. If a student is slouching, fiddling with something, not making eye contact or sitting with their arms crossed, the interviewer may feel as if the student would rather be anywhere else but in their office. However, these types of body language are also descriptive of someone who may be nervous or shy, so it's important to be cognizant of these types of signals and make adjustments as needed. You want to make sure your interviewer can recognize your genuine interest in their school, not your interest in what's happening outside their office window.

The answer is: absolutely. However, the reality is that college admission offices don't have the time or staff resources to search every prospective student's Facebook page. That being said, it's important to remember that if your page isn't set to be private then everything you post is for public consumption. Use common sense when posting things on your page and shy away from anything that could be viewed negatively. Better safe than sorry.

When choosing between a small and large school you should consider things from two standpoints: academic & social. From an academic side you need to think about how you learn best and what type of classroom setting you'd prefer. Do you like to participate in class discussion or do you prefer to be an observer? Do you want to have accessible teachers or are you okay with graduate students as guides? From a social side you need to decide if you'd like to be a big fish in a small pond or vice versa. Does it matter whether a school offers 300 clubs or 80 to choose from? The best way to find out what's best for you is to visit, sit in on a class, and spend time interacting with current students.

As an accepted student you should inquire about the possibility of an overnight campus visit, as opposed to a traditional 2-3 hour visit. An overnight visit is a great opportunity for you to see what happens outside the traditional class hours as well as meet many current students. You will also get a chance to see what dorm life is like and eat the food in the dining hall...two important factors in your decision-making process!

The freshman retention rate is the percentage of students who return to a university following their first year. This is important because it is a good indicator about the satisfaction level of students after their first year at a school. If the rate is very low then it's clear that students are not satisfied with the school whether it be for academic, social or financial reasons.

Some important factors to consider when choosing a college should be:

1) size (do you want a small, medium, or large campus?)

2) location (does a big city appeal to you or are you a small-town kid? What about weather? Do you love the sun or are you a ski bunny?)

3) academic offerings (does the school offer the programs you're looking for?)

4) outcomes (what happens to the school's graduates when they leave?)

There are many other things to consider but these 4 areas are a great start!

Social media has definitely impacted the way that colleges communicate with students. Tools such as Facebook and Twitter are fantastic tools for prospective students to use when trying to get a feel for a school. These are also wonderful for communicating with current students and staff, as well as alumni of an institution. Many schools use social media as a way to spread the word about campus events, school accolades, and new programs...all things that a prospective student should care about! If you're interested in a particular school you should head on over to their Facebook page and click "Like", or begin following their Twitter stream. Oh yeah...don't be afraid to ask questions on both of these platforms as you may get a response faster than sending an email to the Office of Admission!

The best way to choose between to two very similar schools is to try and participate in an overnight visit. By spending 24 hours on a campus you will get a much better feel for the social atmosphere of the school and whether or not it's the right fit for you. You may discover that the two schools aren't so similar after all!

An important piece if advice is that, during your college visit, you should ask questions which you can't easily find the answer to on the school's website. It's important to remember that your tour guide is most likely a current student at that school so you should ask them about their own experiences and why they chose that particular university. While you can certainly ask questions about the academic component of the school, it's important to keep in mind that your tour guide might be studying something completely opposite of what you plan to study and may not have all of the answers. Make sure to ask questions about the social scene at the school, but again, remember that your tour guide is just one voice of many so if they say "it's boring here" or "we party all weekend" you may find that there are others who would say the exact opposite.

After your campus tour you should set aside some time to just wander and explore. You should make sure to stop in places such as the food court or dining hall so you can see how students interact with one another and what the general mood is on campus. If you're planning to live on campus you'll want to see the dorms. If this isn't included in your tour, you should ask someone in the Admission Office if it's possible to see a room before you leave. Another important thing to do during your visit is to eat the food! Many schools include lunch in the dining hall as part of your tour but, if it's not included, just ask in the Admission Office if you can head over there on your own to eat.

While visiting a college you should try to meet with someone from the Admission staff so you can get answers to all of your admission-related questions. This also gives them a chance to put a face with a name...a very important element, particularly if you are applying to a smaller school. If you're given the opportunity to meet with a faculty member you should certainly take advantage of that as they are the best resources for academic-related questions. While you'll most likely have a student tour guide, you should also try to talk with students who aren't necessarily employed by the Admission Office. Take a walk to the campus bookstore or food court and ask random students what they like or don't like about the school. You will certainly get a mixed bag of answers but you'll have a great feel for what the general sense of happiness (or unhappiness) is on campus.

If you are given the option of spending the night on campus at a school to which you will apply or to which you have already applied, you should absolutely take advantage of the opportunity. By spending the night on campus, and then subsequently attending classes, you will get a feel for what it is like to be a student, not just a visitor. Though your overnight host may be a student employee that is paid by the Admission Office, the majority of the students in their dormitory will not be...thus you will be able to get a true feel for what a night is like on campus. You should keep in mind that an overnight stay is not just to have fun so don't be surprised if your host needs to spend some time doing homework while you are there. You should bring along your own school work or a book to read, in case this happens. Another word of caution is that you and your host might be very different from one another, and you should keep in mind that they are just one person on campus. Even if your host wants to watch "Jeopardy" and you'd prefer "Project Runway", don't assume that you'd be the odd student out on campus...there are bound to be other Tim Gunn fans out there!

If you're given the opportunity to speak with an admission officer or professor during your visit, you should definitely do so! Being able to connect your face with your application will help your admission counselor when it comes time to review your materials as you've suddenly gone from "Joe from Montana" to "Joe- that really funny guy who wore a cowboy hat to his interview and is passionate about radio broadcasting...we even let him be a guest on our afternoon radio show while he was visiting from Montana!" See how that changes things? As for meeting with professors...if you want to get a sneak-peek at who you'll be spending a lot of time with over the next 4 years, it's not a bad idea. Faculty members are also great people to ask about alumni outcomes as most of them probably still keep in touch with graduates. In fact, they may also be wiling to connect you with alumni who are working in the field you are interested in pursuing.

Believe it or not, most colleges like the idea of a gap year! In fact, Harvard actually encourages admitted students to defer their admission for a year and approximately 50-70 students per year do just that. Harvard's Dean of Admission, William Fitzsimmons, co-wrote a great piece entitled "Time Out or Burn Out for the Next Generation"...check it out! http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/apply/time_off/index.html

Before deciding to transfer it's important to find out how many (if any) of your current credits will transfer to your new school. Also, it's important to consider the reasons why you want to transfer and make sure transferring is the best solution. For example, if you're having roommate issues or don't like getting up for 9am classes, chances are these things won't change just because you've transferred schools.

When applying as a transfer student it's important to be as honest and open on your application as to the reasons you are transferring. Schools want to make sure that students who transfer to their university will be a good fit and not wanting to transfer again after their first year on campus. It's also important to find a contact in the office of admission who can serve as your advocate during the admission process.

The biggest red flag for transfer students is an inability to provide official school records. This generally indicates that the student was not in good standing when they left their previous institution, a requirement for transfer admission to most colleges.

Before deciding whether or not to transfer you should make an appointment with a transfer admission counselor at the school to which you'd like to transfer. Make sure to bring a copy of your most recent college transcript, as well as the school's course catalog to this meeting. Though you won't be able to get a formal credit evaluation at this point, the admission counselor can give you an idea about how many of your credits may transfer.

Colleges are looking for the same qualities in transfer students as they are in first-time students. It's important that transfer students are both an academic and social fit for the school, and that they have a genuine interest in the programs being offered. Transfer students should also be able to show demonstrated academic success at their previous institution.

Students who are considering transferring from one college to another should first get in touch with the Transfer Student Coordinator at the school to which they'd like to transfer. This person will be instrumental in not only making sure you have all of the materials required to apply as a transfer student, but they will most likely play a key role in deciding whether or not you will be admitted. It's important to know that many schools require students to complete one-half of their credits at their particular university in order to graduate. This means if you transfer after your junior year, you may find yourself needing to stay in school an additional year. Another great piece of advice is to get a copy of the new school's course catalog to make sure that the school offers similar courses to those you have already taken so that you can transfer in most of your credits. For example, if you are transferring from a nursing program to a journalism school, you may not be able to transfer many of your previous course credits.

When embarking on your college search process it's important to remember that applying to more schools does not necessarily increase your likelihood of admission or options. What students SHOULD do is take the time to narrow down their initial "long list" to a list of schools that are the best fit and THEN apply to those. I generally recommend that students apply to 5-7 schools. This isn't to say that occasionally one of my students applies to 10-12...however, they often realize that the amount of extra work writing essays and completing supplements could have been avoided if they had taken more time to narrow their options to a more manageable list.

The importance of applying Early Decision as an international student is the same as it is for domestic students. The most important factor to consider when trying to decide whether or not to apply Early Decision is whether or not the school you are applying to is your top choice, since Early Decision is binding at most schools. However, one thing to remember is that most schools offering Early Decision as an option admit a higher percentage of their applicants at this stage than during the Regular Decision period.

Both the TOEFL and IELTS are used by colleges when evaluating international applicants. To decide which exam is better for you, it's best to check with the schools to which you think you will apply as some have a preference as to which test they would like you to submit. If you're unsure, it's not a bad idea to take both exams, just as many students will take both the SAT and ACT.

The number of times a nonnative English speaking student should take the TOEFL depends on the individual student. Many students take the exam just once or twice...similar to the number of times a student would sit for an ACT or SAT.

Since the exam measures your level of English comprehension, it is important to remember that if you take the exam more than once, you should have had a substantial amount of time to improve your skills between exams. Also, the Educational Testing Service (ETS) recommends you take the TOEFL at least 2-3 months before any college application deadlines so that your score reports are ready in time.

As for a fee waiver, ETS does offer a "Fee Reduction Service" to high school seniors studying in the U.S. who meet certain criteria for financial need. More information can be found on the ETS website: http://www.ets.org/s/toefl/pdf/toefl_fee_reduction_service_guidelines.pdf.

Writing an effective college admissions essay is one of the most difficult tasks an international students faces when completing their college applications. Not only are you required to write something in your second language (or maybe your third or fourth!), but you also have to do this within character or word-count limitations. These two things often make it difficult for an international student to effectively get their message across in an essay.

The important thing to remember is that the purpose of an essay, in most cases, is for the admission committee to get to know you, to hear your voice. Because of this your essay should sound like YOU, not like your English teacher or your parents. Keep in mind that admission committees have many applications to review and limited amounts of time (hence the word-count limits) so you should be concise and to the point in your writing.

Finally, make sure you proofread your essay for grammatical errors and also for content. It's alright to have a teacher, parent, or college counselor review your work but keep in mind that they should not make major changes or write any part of your essay.

Whenever I begin working with an international student I always let them know that I highly encourage them to interview at any university that offers this as an option. Why? Because there is no piece of paper that can ever tell the whole story about an applicant and personality is often difficult to get across in an essay. In a time when colleges are looking for students to really become a part of a "community" on campus, and not just warm bodies, it's important for the admission committee to see how you might fit in with the social environment on campus.

If you can't travel to the schools to which you are applying, no worries! Many schools now offer Skype interviews or interviews with alumni in your area.

International students who are considering applying for financial aid should be certain that they truly need assistance before submitting an application as many schools are "need-aware" or "need-conscious" when reviewing applications. What this means is that some universities will not admit an international student if they are not able to fully meet their financial need thus leaving many students who might otherwise be admissable to receive rejection letters.

While most universities in the U.S. do not offer need-based assistance to international applicants, most schools will include this subset of students in their pool for merit-based scholarships.

Choosing a major as an international student is the same as for a domestic student! You should choose a major based on your areas of academic interest and career goals. You will be treated equally in the classroom so all students, regardless of where they are from, should consider the programs a school offeres based on the outcomes demonstrated by their alumni. One thing to keep in mind is that it is VERY common to change majors so it's okay if you aren't 100% sure about what you'd like to major in during the application process.

Unfortunately there are very few schools that will offer need-based financial aid to international students. That being said, many schools do include international students when determining merit-based scholarships and aid. This means, though you may not be eligible for need-based financial assistance, you could still earn a scholarship based on your academic performance in high school or even a scholarship based on where you are from in the world! The best way to find out if a school offers need-based financial aid is to contact them directly. Many schools will provide international students with a list of resources for finding outside financial assistance, as well.

Unfortunately, most colleges do not offer need-based financial aid to international students. However, an international student can enhance their chances or getting merit-based aid by displaying excellent academic progress in school while staying involved in extracurricular activities. It's important to meet all application deadlines as many schools require international students, or at least those applying for merit-based scholarships, to submit all of their application materials earlier than some regular decision deadlines.

If you ask most college students what the food is like on their campus, you'll probably get the same answer from most: "It's not mom's home cooking." That being said, many college administrators have come to the realization that food is an important component of a college student's campus experience and, as such, many schools have food options that would rival top-tier restaurants. Many foodservice companies have developed plans for healthier eating options, as well as more diverse ethnic options that appeal to the booming numbers of international students on campuses. Students can also find Kosher, vegan, and gluten-free options in many campus dining halls. The best way to discover what is available is to make sure that you eat on campus during your visits...this is also a great way to witness the social interactions of students!

A Resident Advisor is generally an upperclass student who is in charge of your floor in your residence hall. Usually referred to as an "RA", this is a person who can help you solve disputes with your roommate, give advice on the social scene at your school, and help you get back in your room when you discover you locked yourself out! RAs are usually paid for their work and are charged with enforcing the rules on your floor.

Two easy snacks that college students can make right in their dorm rooms are trail mix and (excuse the name) Puppy Chow. To make trail mix you can just throw together some peanuts, raisins, granola, and M & M's. Puppy Chow is a little more complex, but also easy: 1) melt one bag of chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, 2) add 1/2 jar of creamy peanut butter to the chips and heat until melted, 3) in a CLEAN shopping bag combine one box of Chex cereal mix and the melted chocolate/peanut butter concoction and SHAKE LIKE CRAZY! 4) Add 1/2 bag of powdered sugar and SHAKE LIKE CRAZY again! Once your hall-mates taste this snack you will have more roommate requests than you can handle:)

Long gone are the days when students were just randomly assigned a roommate who they didn't meet until move-in day. Colleges now make an effort to match students with roommates who have similar interests, standards of neatness, and sleep schedules using surveying tools. In addition, many students now find their own roommates via admitted student Facebook pages or online communities developed by the schools themselves. Because of this, many students find that they know much more about their roommate before arriving on campus and thus have the opportunity before school starts to work out any issues, or simply change roommates. However, if you get to campus and realize that your dream roommate has turned into a nightmare, you should talk with your Resident Assistant (RA) first. Your RA may be able to help mediate whatever the issues are and, if not, would be able to help you if you need to make a move to another room. It's important to remember that you are sharing a space so make it clear from the start if you are okay or not with your roommate using your things, borrowing your clothes, or eating your food. You should also establish ground rules about what time is too late for visitors, how you feel about boyfriends/girlfriends staying over, and other general courtesy concerns.

Long gone are the days when students were just randomly assigned a roommate who they didn't meet until move-in day. Colleges now make an effort to match students with roommates who have similar interests, standards of neatness, and sleep schedules using surveying tools. In addition, many students now find their own roommates via admitted student Facebook pages or online communities developed by the schools themselves. Because of this, many students find that they know much more about their roommate before arriving on campus and thus have the opportunity before school starts to work out any issues, or simply change roommates. However, if you get to campus and realize that your dream roommate has turned into a nightmare, you should talk with your Resident Assistant (RA) first. Your RA may be able to help mediate whatever the issues are and, if not, would be able to help you if you need to make a move to another room. It's important to remember that you are sharing a space so make it clear from the start if you are okay or not with your roommate using your things, borrowing your clothes, or eating your food. You should also establish ground rules about what time is too late for visitors, how you feel about boyfriends/girlfriends staying over, and other general courtesy concerns.