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

Q. Is it OK to send extra items with my  

college applications

 , such as an additional recommendation letter or a portfolio?

A. Yes, it is OK to send extra items to support your application to College, however, additional materials should provide documentation of special talents or distinctive service that aren't mentioned elsewhere in your package.

The most common form of extra material is a supplemental letter of recommendation. These letters should highlight a special contribution you've made -- a unique volunteer or community service, for instance, or a letter from an employer who can support your achievements and attest to your work ethic. It's important to make sure that these materials support your candidacy for admission. They need to provide information as to why you'd be a great addition to campus!

If you are an artist or musician, you may want to send a portfolio, video, or tape that highlights your creativity and talent. Today these special talent areas have expanded to include digital photography, computer design, even movie, radio, or television productions. Again, only send additional materials that will supplement and enhance "who you are" as an applicant.

If you intend to forward additional materials other than letters to the admissions office, it is very important that you contact them first. Some will request that you send materials to a particular department or to the attention of a specific person within the admissions office. Remember to ask about their return policy -- some schools will return material only upon request and with proper self-addressed postage.

Another tip I can't stress enough: Be sure that all the material you forward to the admissions office is clearly marked with your name, address, and high school.

Q. How can I persuade my Parents to let me attend the school I want?

A. If you experience a conflict between your choice school and the school your parents want you to attend, you need to open the door to two-way communication with them to discuss this all-important decision.

First, determine what your parents' main objections are to you attending the school. If after listening to their side you still feel your choice is the best fit for you, do your research. Perhaps, for example, your parents are concerned about the "outcome" of your education -- will you get into a good graduate school or are graduates from your first-choice recruited by top-notch corporations? You need to present the facts to them to overcome their objection -- find out the Job placement rate of the students at the school, or how many students are accepted into Graduate Programs.

Remember, your parents want the best for you. If you can make your case, supported with facts, there's a good chance you'll gain their support.

Q. How can I cope with admissions rejection?

A. Admissions professionals counsel students and their parents frequently about the difficulty of being denied admission. The best way to help yourself comes at the beginning of the College Search process. Find out which schools are a good academic match for you by gathering statistics about its student body to see if you meet its standards. Be realistic about the best fit for you -- not everyone can be ranked in the top five percent of their high school class. Certainly apply to "reach" schools -- challenge yourself -- but be aware of the pool of applicants with which you'll be competing!

The admissions professionals, rest assured, will carefully evaluate your entire application. They are seeking students who will flourish in the academic and campus environment of their particular school. Their decision to deny a student's admission doesn't come easily -- but they evaluate students and take great care that those who are admitted truly have the ability to succeed on their campus.

It is so very important for you and your family to know that there is no such thing as the "perfect" college for you. Many students who are not admitted to the first choice school go on to flourish -- academically and socially -- at another institution and soon forget it wasn't really their first choice.

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