College Guidance Q & A

Larry receives numerous questions from applicants and their families about college admissions. Each week he will pick a question and share his response. This student's question is about acceptance probability.

Q: Let’s say that I have a 30% chance of getting into UC Berkeley (according to CollegeVine). Is this good, and do you think I can get in?

A: That 30% assessed by College Vine, indeed any quantification of the probability of acceptance, is meaningless. College acceptances do not occur on a roulette wheel. The fact that one can calculate the percentages admitted after the admissions cycle is complete does not tell us the probability of admission for any single applicant - so if your profile is higher than average maybe your admission is more Iikely than for the “typical” applicant, but so what? It’s likelihood is neither 30% nor 10% nor 95%.

If you are a CA resident, your likelihood of admission is better than if you are an out of state applicant. That much is true. Depending on what the CA regents do for the coming cycle, the difference might become even greater. The only way it works is you apply and then you find out.

If you have questions pertaining to college admissions or would like to learn more about our program, please contact Larry Blumenstyk at larry@learningassoc.com.

College Guidance Q & A

Larry receives numerous questions regarding college admissions from applicants and their families. Each week he will pick one question and share his response. This week's question pertains to the impact of having an IEP (Individualized Education Program) on college admissions.

Q: Does having an IEP affect college acceptance?

A: No, an IEP does not, by itself, affect college acceptance. The existence of an IEP is not disclosed in any official documentation shared with colleges. Only the student can choose to disclose. If the student’s Learning Disabilities are such that they are applying to the special programs offered at some colleges that require an application in addition to the college application, of course that process requires the student to disclose.

Larry works with students of all academic profiles. If you have questions pertaining to college admissions or would like to learn more about our program, please contact him at larry@learningassoc.com.

College Guidance Q & A

Larry receives numerous questions regarding college admissions from applicants and their families. Each week he will pick one question and share his response. This week's question is about the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

Q: Does it matter which parent I use for FAFSA?

A: If your parents are married it makes no difference which one you use.

If you parents are divorced you should use the Custodial Parent, which FAFSA defines as the parent with whom you reside for more than 50% of the days of the year.

Incidentally, which parent lists you as a dependent on their tax return is not the relevant measure.

If you have questions pertaining to college admissions or would like to learn more about our program, please contact Larry Blumenstyk at larry@learningassoc.com.