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Featuring Pat Armstrong, director of admissions at St. John's University (Queens, NY)

Q: Why should I struggle with honors level or AP classes and just get by when I can get much better grades in regular classes? Do colleges really care which types of classes I take?

A: Yes, colleges do really care which classes you take. A very important component of the admission decision process is a careful review of the applicant's high school transcript. If you choose not to participate in honors programs or take  

AP courses

 , certainly that will not prevent you from being admitted to college. It is important to note, however, that for admission to highly competitive programs, you have positioned yourself best when you've demonstrated to the admission committee -- by participating in challenging programs such as honors courses or AP courses -- that you have sought academic challenges.

There is no question that high school academic achievement and the rigor of the high school curriculum is important in the college admission process. My advice: stretch your mind and go for the academic challenge!

Q: I had one terrible semester during my sophomore year because of family problems, but since then my grades are near perfect. What can I do to make sure my college dreams aren't ruined by one bad semester?

A: The most important thing to remember when Applying to College is that you have support systems in place -- both at your high school and in the college admission office. You need not think college dreams are over because of one bad semester. Start by seeking guidance from your high school counselor. You'll find that colleges often consider students despite a lapse in grades, especially if they have taken the time to explain their unique struggles in a well-written letter or as part of their application essay.

Additionally, colleges carefully review recommendations. Ask your counselor and teachers for recommendations regarding your academic ability, indicating that the poor semester was directly related to a serious family situation that interfered with your ability to devote yourself to your studies. College admission counselors are familiar with high school transcripts and frequently see the success pattern interrupted for a brief period of time. They'll clearly see a dip in grades on your high school transcript, but that the poor performance was followed by two years of excellent grades.

The college admission counselor will look for strong recommendations to support your academic record and your ability to succeed. You should be proactive in stating your situation clearly as a part of your application or during a college interview. Frankly, it speaks well of your ability to overcome challenges in life and be successful.

Remember -- professionals in your high school and in the college admissions offices are there to help you. Don't hesitate to seek support from them.

Q: How can I be sure a college is right for me unless I actually give it a chance?

A: While there are no absolute guarantees, you can be quite confident about making the right choice in the college selection process by being assertive during the decision-making process. Before applying to colleges, make a list of everything you'd really like to know before you decide to apply.

Some areas to consider:

Academic programs. If you know what you want to study, you should evaluate the strength of the school's program. If you're not sure about your field of study, choose an institution that offers a range of majors and programs.

Institution size. Don't look at just the total number of students or faculty, check out the average class size, too. The total number of faculty isn't as important as their accessibility.

Location. Do you want to live close to home or experience the adventure of a new environment? Do you want the excitement of being close to a big city, or is a rural setting what you're looking for?

Campus life. If you want to reside on campus, check out the facilities and quality of residential living. Whether you reside on campus or not, also investigate the extracurricular activities, athletics, and special interest groups available.

Cost. Look beyond tuition totals and balance your decision by evaluating the value of the educational opportunity. How will your education add to your personal growth and development as well as your lifelong earning potential? What are your financial aid opportunities? Of course, these are just a few of the things you'll want to consider, but it's a good start.

Once you apply to a college and are accepted, be sure to visit the campus before making a decision. Picture yourself as a student there -- walking the campus, sitting in classes, studying in the library, and participating in athletics or Extra Curricular Activities. Talk to students, visit with faculty, explore, read the campus newspaper, and then decide! Once your decision is made, relax -- you'll do just fine.

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