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I've received so many questions and written so many responses, that now I need my own archive. The advice is evergreen, so I invite you to browse through past Ask Lisa Marie columns and see if I've already answered your question. I've organized them by topic (some are listed under more than one topic). Who knows? Sometimes an answer to one question simply sparks a new question. In that case, go ahead and ask me, Lisa Marie!
- Lisa Marie, AskLisaMarie@review.com
  
Why Won't the Landlord Take Visa?
Buy it from bn.com
Guide to Studying Abroad
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Ask Lisa Marie Topics
Academics & Majors
Activities, Athletics, and Social Life
Admissions and the Application Process
Career Planning
Choosing a College
College Anxiety
Living on Campus/Living at Home
Paying for College and Other Financial Woes
Roommates, Friends, and Romances
Tests (PSAT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, etc.)
Transferring
Visiting Colleges
Working as a Student

Back to the current Ask Lisa Marie!


Academics & Majors
 
I am planning to double major in two separately demanding subjects: neuroscience and ballet. I don't know if this is actually feasible or realistic. What do you think of double majoring? Get the answer
I'm considering joining a sorority when I get in a college but I'll be majoring in pre-med. Would joining take up too much of my study time, with pledging and meetings and whatnot? What's your advice? Get the answer

Lisa Marie speaks out: I receive a number of questions each day from students and their parents who want to know "What is the best school for a pre-med student?" or "Which school has the best program for architecture, engineering, psychology, film, journalism, education, etc. etc. etc." Below is my general answer to all of you--which I hope proves useful as you continue your search. Get the answer
If I want to become a teacher of psychology, would I major in psychology or education? Or would I take courses in both subjects at once? Get the answer

Can I take classes in college that have nothing to do with my major? Get the answer
I'm planning on majoring in business, and I just want to know whether it's possible that I may be turned down for a job because I attended a school that has less prestige than the Ivy League colleges. Get the answer
I would like to major in "Great Books" as an undergraduate (which is a major that you aren't going to find at too many colleges), and I've looked and looked but I can't seem to find a list of universities that offer the major! Ideally, I'd like a university that offered Creative Writing as an independent major as well. Could you please help me? Get the answer
I've already decided my classes for the fall and declared my major as Business, but I don't know if that's really what I want to do, it just seems like the most convenient. What happens if I want to change majors? Will I be stuck as a business major because I've already started taking the classes for it? Get the answer
I heard that majoring in something that ends in "studies" is too broad and would be difficult to find a job with (i.e. women's studies, African studies, etc.). I was wondering if that's true, and, if so, should I major in international relations/affairs instead of international studies? Get the answer
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Activities, Athletics, and Social Life
 
I'm living at home to save money. How can I feel involved on campus? Get the answer
In high school, I participate in a very wide range of activities--orchestra, newspaper, debate, science fair, etc. Are all these activities likely to stay a part of my schedule when I enter college? Get the answer
I'm considering joining a sorority when I get in a college but I'll be majoring in pre-med. Would joining take up too much of my study time, with pledging and meetings and whatnot? What's your advice? Get the answer
Are fraternities and sororities are really dangerous? I've read many sad and tragic stories about members and pledges who die in those clubs. I was thinking of joining one, but I'm frightened of how the members will treat me during Rush. For example, yesterday, I was reading a book based on frats and sororities with horrible hazing stories. I thought frats were like in the movie Animal House, but in real life, it doesn't seem to be like that. Do frat and sorority members treat pledges very badly? Get the answer
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Admissions and the Application Process
 
I got accepted to most of the colleges where I applied. Now, how do I let them know where I will be attending in the Fall? What should I write in the letter? I mean, I know what to say but, I don't know how to say it. Thank you so very much! Get the answer
On a college application I noticed a question that read: Please list other colleges to which you plan to apply. How should I answer that? Should I include all colleges where I am applying, just some of them, or none? If they know I am applying to other schools, doesn't that make me look bad? Help! Get the answer

I am in 11th grade and I attend a private, college-prep high school. I have been considering transferring to a different private high school, which is definitely more prestigious one than the one I currently attend. What kind of impact does the specific high school you attend have on the college admissions process? Get the answer
How should one go about completing the college application? Should I use the online application, hand write it, or track down a typewriter? Which will give me the best chances of being accepted? Get the answer
I just started my senior year in high school and I haven't been involved in any sports or extracurricular activities at my school. What type of effect will that have on being accepted to college? What can I do? Get the answer
When I join clubs in high school and I am unable to get a leadership position, should I move on to another club, or does it still look good to stay in a club that you don't have a leadership position in? I was also wondering if you have any tips on getting leadership positions. Get the answer
If I am deferred or waitlisted from Early Decision, are there additional steps I should take to increase my chances between now and the spring acceptance? Get the answer
I applied to college for 2005 admission and was informed of my admission being waitlisted at my top choice school. I want to wait for their final verdict, which is sometimes between May 15th and June 1st. However, I know I will have to make my decision before that. What should I do now? Get the answer
I want to wait a year or so before I start college and I plan to move to Texas to establish residency. If I have a full-time job and can file my own income tax return next April, can that prevent my parents from claiming me as a dependent in Florida and allow me to claim Texas residency after living and working on my own for 12 months? Can I apply for financial aid based on my own resources at that point? Get the answer
I was rejected by the three colleges I applied to and they were the ones I really wanted. Now I am forced to apply late, but that's only a small problem. I cannot seem to find any schools I would like to go to, and I have been looking for awhile. I was thinking about taking a year off, but I am not sure. What are my other options, and what should I do? Get the answer

I am starting my applications, and although I have played volleyball for four years (I'm returning to varsity this coming fall), I have done little else. I do a lot of art, photography, and writing, but those are personal hobbies, and I already take art as an elective. Would it be bad to add those as extracurriculars? Get the answer
I have two questions. The first is: Do the SAT IIs I take have to be related to the major I am taking in college? I am planning on majoring in international relations, but am planning to take the French and Biology SAT IIs as I am taking the AP courses of these two subjects in my coming senior year. My second question is: What do colleges mean when they say "average incoming freshmen GPA?" Is this GPA for all four years of high school or just for senior year? Get the answer
I have been sent several brochures and applications from top-notch and Ivy League schools such as Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Georgetown. Acceptance to all of these institutions would be wonderful. However, I am an upcoming senior with a 28 ACT score and have yet to take the required SAT and SAT Subject Tests. My question is: Because these colleges have sent me applications, does that mean I have a decent chance of being accepted? Get the answer
I'm a high school sophomore, who is considering graduating one year early. I have spoken with my high school's administration, and apparently it is possible. However, should I graduate early, I'd like to attend college that next fall. How do colleges view early graduates, and would it harm my chances of admission? Get the answer
What's the difference between an official transcript and an unofficial transcript? Get the answer
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Career Planning
 
If I want to become a teacher of psychology, would I major in psychology or education? Or would I take courses in both subjects at once? Get the answer
If I choose to attend a community college, will I have the same job opportunities after I graduate as someone who went to a four-year university? Get the answer
I'm planning on majoring in business, and I just want to know whether it's possible that I may be turned down for a job because I attended a school that has less prestige than the Ivy League colleges. Get the answer
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Choosing a College
 
What are some questions about life on campus that I should ask a college I might want to attend? Get the answer
I've visited a few colleges, and I've heard the recruiters' spiels when promoting their schools. But I feel as if I won't really be able to grasp what sort of atmosphere a college will provide until I'm actually submerged in the campus life. How can I really find out what a campus is like? Where should I go to for the real scoop on everything? Get the answer
If I choose to attend a community college, will I have the same job opportunities after I graduate as someone who went to a four-year university? Get the answer
Right now I am looking at a number of colleges that I plan on applying to, but I am worried about the level of acceptance for the gay community on each campus. I am afraid of going to a school where I will feel like I have to hide for four years. I know that not every college admissions counselor is going to be completely honest, but I really need to know. What can I do to help ease my fears? Get the answer
Lisa Marie speaks out: I receive a number of questions each day from students and their parents who want to know "What is the best school for a pre-med student?" or "Which school has the best program for architecture, engineering, psychology, film, journalism, education, etc. etc. etc." Below is my general answer to all of you--which I hope proves useful as you continue your search. Get the answer
I'm a junior and just started to look at schools. I noticed that some are called "colleges," while others are "universities." What's the difference, and is one better than the other? Get the answer
For the past few months, I have been searching for colleges, and with every college I find, there is always something wrong with it. When I hear the students talk about their college, I become turned off. I can never seem to find a college that I like. Is there any help or advice you can give me to make my college search easier? Get the answer
I have been sent several brochures and applications from top-notch and Ivy League schools such as Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Georgetown. Acceptance to all of these institutions would be wonderful. However, I am an upcoming senior with a 28 ACT score and have yet to take the required SAT and SAT Subject Tests. My question is: Because these colleges have sent me applications, does that mean I have a decent chance of being accepted? Get the answer
A college usually goes by either the semester or the quarter system. What are the pros and cons to each type, and which of the two is better for what kind of a student? Get the answer
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College Anxiety
 
Even though I have all summer to relax, I'm already nervous about starting college. I'm excited too, of course, but I'm mostly worried about what I need to bring with me and what it will be like to live with a stranger. I've always had my own room! Can you give me some advice about these things? Get the answer
I'm going to attend a small school of about 1,500 students (the same number as my high school). I'm afraid the atmosphere of such a small student population might smother me or the school might be gossipy. What can I do to get away from it all? Get the answer
Will my college classes require me to remember a lot of information from my high school? I'm worried that when I go to college the professors will be talking about stuff I don't understand and I'll be completely lost. I don't think my high school has prepared me well enough for college. Help! Get the answer
Right now I am looking at a number of colleges that I plan on applying to, but I am worried about the level of acceptance for the gay community on each campus. I am afraid of going to a school where I will feel like I have to hide for four years. I know that not every college admissions counselor is going to be completely honest, but I really need to know. What can I do to help ease my fears? Get the answer
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Living on Campus/Living at Home
 
I'm going to school just 15 minutes from home. Although I'm living on campus, how can I make sure my parents give me some space? Get the answer
I'm living at home to save money. How can I feel involved on campus? Get the answer
What kind of rules will there be in my dorm at school? Get the answer
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Paying for College & Other Financial Woes
 
I'm living at home to save money. How can I feel involved on campus? Get the answer
School is so expensive that I've been considering getting a job that I can do after class or on weekends. Do you think that will be too much to handle? Get the answer
If I got into a really excellent school that I could afford only with big loans, would it be a better idea to go to a school that was not quite as good, but that I could easily afford? Get the answer
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Roommates, Friends, and Romances
 
My boyfriend and I are thinking of going to the same college. We keep going back and forth on whether we should or not. Help! Get the answer
Even though I have all summer to relax, I'm already nervous about starting college. I'm excited too, of course, but I'm mostly worried about what I need to bring with me and what it will be like to live with a stranger. I've always had my own room! Can you give me some advice about these things? Get the answer
I'm going to attend a small school of about 1,500 students (the same number as my high school). I'm afraid the atmosphere of such a small student population might smother me or the school might be gossipy. What can I do to get away from it all? Get the answer
I know that usually at college you have a roommate that you share your dorm room with. Can you choose to pay extra and get a private room? Or is it mandatory that you have a roommate? Get the answer
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Tests (PSAT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, etc.)
 
Is it true that you shouldn't take the SATs more than twice because colleges will think that the only thing you learned was how to take the test? If so, is it alright to take the SAT twice and then take the ACT? Get the answer

I am confused about what happens when you send your test scores to a college. I took the SAT I in May, the SAT IIs and the ACT in June. Also, what happens if I decide to take the tests again in the fall? Should I wait to send in my application until the new and (hopefully) improved scores have been sent to the colleges? Get the answer
I have two questions. The first is: Do the SAT IIs I take have to be related to the major I am taking in college? I am planning on majoring in international relations, but am planning to take the French and Biology SAT IIs as I am taking the AP courses of these two subjects in my coming senior year. My second question is: What do colleges mean when they say "average incoming freshmen GPA?" Is this GPA for all four years of high school or just for senior year? Get the answer
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Transferring
 
I really don't like the school I decided to attend. In fact, I'm starting to hate it and am considering transferring. Any advice on whether that's a good move? Get the answer
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Visiting Colleges
 
I've visited a few colleges, and I've heard the recruiters' spiels when promoting their schools. But I feel as if I won't really be able to grasp what sort of atmosphere a college will provide until I'm actually submerged in the campus life. How can I really find out what a campus is like? Where should I go to for the real scoop on everything? Get the answer
My guidance counselor has been telling me that I need to start campus visits. I totally agree, but there's just one problem: The colleges I'm interested in are spread out across the U.S. My mom can't take off work, and my dad thinks it'll be too much money. I'm worried because the college I'm almost certain I want to attend is all the way on the other side of the country! I'm afraid I'll choose a college I won't like, but I don't think my parents understand at all. What should I do?! Get the answer
I'm a high school junior and I want to start visiting colleges. Is there anything colleges look at or need before allowing you to visit, or can you visit any college you desire? Get the answer
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Working as a Student
 
School is so expensive that I've been considering getting a job that I can do after class or on weekends. Do you think that will be too much to handle? Get the answer
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