🌟 Special Circumstances — College Admissions Questions
First-gen, disability, adversity, and unique admissions situations
32 questions in this category
How to Explain a Gap in Your High School Transcript to Colleges
Addressing transcript gaps — medical leave, school switches, family circumstances.
Does Being a First-Generation College Student Help in College Admissions?
Learn how first-generation college student status affects college admissions, what resources are available, and how to l…
How College Admissions Works for Low-Income Students: Resources and Strategies
A guide to college admissions strategies for low-income students — including scholarships, QuestBridge, fee waivers, and…
College Admissions for Students with Learning Disabilities or ADHD
A guide to college admissions for students with learning disabilities, ADHD, or other neurodivergent profiles — disclosu…
College Admissions for Arts Students: Portfolios, Auditions, and Special Programs
A guide to college admissions for visual arts, music, theater, and dance students — including portfolio and audition req…
College Admissions for STEM Students: What Top Engineering and Science Schools Look For
A guide to college admissions for students interested in STEM — what MIT, Caltech, Georgia Tech, and other top engineeri…
How Does a Criminal Record Affect College Admissions?
Learn how colleges handle applicants with criminal records — which schools ask about it, how to disclose it, and what ty…
How Does Mental Health History Affect College Admissions?
Understand how mental health history is handled in college admissions — whether to disclose, what is protected under law…
College Admissions for Undocumented Students: What You Need to Know
A guide to college admissions for undocumented and DACA students — which colleges admit undocumented students, financial…
How Bilingual or Multilingual Students Can Leverage Language Skills in College Admissions
Learn how to showcase bilingual or multilingual abilities effectively in college applications — in essays, activities li…
How Does Athletic Recruitment Work in College Admissions?
A complete guide to the athletic recruitment process — how coaches advocate for recruits, what Division I vs III means f…
College Admissions for Students With Chronic Illness or Long-Term Health Conditions
A guide to college admissions for students who have managed chronic illness — strategic disclosure, explaining academic …
How to Submit a College Art Portfolio: Requirements and Strategy
A complete guide to submitting a college art portfolio — what to include, platform requirements, how to present your wor…
How to Address COVID's Impact on Your High School Record in College Applications
How to explain COVID-19's impact on your high school record — grade changes, missing activities — in a way that strength…
College Admissions for Military Families and Dependents
In-state tuition benefits, application considerations for frequent moves, and schools with strong military community sup…
College Admissions for Veterans and Active Military Members
A guide to college admissions for veterans and active duty military — GI Bill benefits, Yellow Ribbon Program, special a…
How Do Homeschooled Students Apply to College?
A complete guide to college applications for homeschooled students — transcripts, course documentation, standardized tes…
College Admissions With an IEP or 504 Plan: What Changes in College
What students with IEPs or 504 plans need to know about the transition to college disability services — disclosing, regi…
College Admissions for International Students Applying to US Schools
A guide to applying to US colleges as an international student — testing requirements, financial aid limitations, visa c…
How Athletic Recruiting Works for Division I and Division II Sports
The D1 and D2 recruiting process — initiating contact, showcasing your abilities, official visits, and coach commitments…
How to Submit a College Arts Supplement: What It Is and When It Helps
When and how to submit an arts supplement — what it includes, which schools review it, and how much it actually affects …
College Admissions for Nontraditional Adult Students (Age 25+)
How admissions works differently for adult learners returning to education.
College Applications for Students with Physical Disabilities
Learn how to disclose a physical disability on college applications, request accommodations, and use your experience as …
How to Get Into College with a Homeschool Transcript
Homeschooled students face unique application challenges. Learn how to build a strong transcript, demonstrate rigor, and…
College Admissions for English Language Learners
English language learners face unique challenges in college admissions. Learn how to present your bilingual background, …
How to Get Into College with a Low-Income Background
Low-income students have powerful stories and real financial pathways to selective colleges. Learn how to maximize your …
College Admissions for Students from Military Families
Students from military families face unique admissions challenges — frequent moves, school changes, and transcript gaps.…
College Admissions When a Parent Is or Has Been Incarcerated
Students with incarcerated parents face unique challenges. Learn how to address this background in college applications,…
How to Address Chronic Absenteeism in Your College Application
Missed significant school time due to illness, mental health, or family circumstances? Learn how to address chronic abse…
Does Having a Parent Who Is a College Professor Help Your Application?
Your parent is a college professor or faculty member — does this help your application? Learn how faculty child admissio…
College Applications for Students with Learning Differences
Applying to college with ADHD, dyslexia, or another learning difference? Learn how to disclose, request accommodations, …
The Complete Guide to First-Generation College Admissions
First in your family to apply to college? This complete guide covers every step of the admissions process for first-gene…