Featuring Larry Rideaux and Ma Esther Francis, dean and assistant dean of student development at Tomball College/North Harris Montgomery Community College District (Houston, TX)

Filling out your college application, waiting to hear about the status of your acceptance, and being frustrated by all the questions surrounding the process can make spring a season of tension and apprehension. Take heart, because counselors at your high school and at the college/university of your choice will be happy to help direct you through this process. And with their help, spring could easily become a time of waiting for good things to happen.

Q: My high school guidance counselor suggested I only apply to schools I know I can get into easily. When I suggested some of my top choices, he shot them down as nothing more than "long shots" -- even though I'm confident I can get in. Should I follow his lead or go with my gut? I don't want to go in over my head, but then again, I don't want to always wonder, "What if?"

A: Your guidance counselor has your best interests in mind when suggesting colleges that will admit you easily. However, he may not be aware of the many factors each school considers when reviewing applications for potential students. So if you really feel strongly about a college or university, I would submit an application to a couple of your "long shots," as well as to colleges that are "sure bets." This way, the pressure is off and you can make decisions based on the responses from the colleges to which you apply.

Q: I've been wait-listed at several schools, including my first two choices. I'm beginning to worry because I still haven't heard back from them. What should I do next? Is it worth it to contact them again or does that make me seem too pushy?

A: If you're on the waiting list for admission to several schools and the start of the school year is approaching, I would recommend you contact the schools again. This will let them know you still are interested in attending if an opening becomes available. Your correspondence may even have a positive effect, because the admissions officer will get a sense of how much you wish to attend the institution. The schools should be able to give you an idea of their time table for admitting wait-listed students, so you can plan accordingly to attend a school elsewhere if you are ultimately not accepted.

Q: Can I change my mind on a school I already declined without re-applying or transferring?

A: Most colleges have deadlines for submitting applications for admission. Of course, if the deadline has not passed, then it may not be too late to change your mind. Many colleges admit other applicants if you decline acceptance to their institution, so I would contact the college to see what its policy is regarding accepting an offer of admission after you originally declined.

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