u/whitneyhal

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Hi everyone,

I'm an international student, and I have a few questions that I've been struggling to find clear answers to. I would really appreciate any advice or personal experiences.

1. For a first-year (freshman) applicant who needs significant financial aid, which application plan is usually the best option?

- Regular Decision (RD)

- Early Action (EA)

- Early Decision (ED)

- Or are there other options that might be better for students with high financial need?

2. If a student was placed on the waitlist because the university was unsure whether it would have enough funding to support their financial need, but by the time waitlist decisions were being made the class was already full and most (or all) of the financial aid budget had been exhausted, what could make that student's application stronger if they decide to apply again?

Assuming the university already considers the student academically qualified, what factors could improve their chances the second time around?

3. If the student decides to apply as a transfer student later on, which application plan is usually the best choice for someone who needs significant financial aid?

- Regular Decision (RD)

- Early Action (EA)

- Early Decision (ED)

- Or any other available transfer application options?

I'm genuinely confused and trying to understand the best path forward, so any advice, experiences, or insights would mean a lot to me.

Thank you so much! Any answer to even one of these questions would be incredibly helpful, not only for me but also for other students who may find themselves in a similar situation.

Hi everyone,

I recently applied to a few universities, and one of them emailed me saying they’d like to schedule an online interview. They said it’s flexible and I can choose a time that works for me.

They mentioned that the interview will be used to learn more about my intended major, my academic interests, and my future goals, to see what program would be a good fit for me.

I have a few questions and would really appreciate any advice:

Does receiving an interview invitation usually mean anything positive in the admissions process, or is it just a normal step for everyone?

If I’m not available and need to reschedule or even decline the interview, would that negatively affect my application?

For those who have done online college interviews before, do you have any general tips or things you wish you knew before going into it?

Thank you so much in advance!