CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Explore our collection of admissions FAQs. Each answer is expert-approved by our team to help you reach your goals.


What do colleges look for in a transfer student?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior, and I'm considering attending a community college and then transferring to a four-year university. I want to make sure I have a strong transfer application, but I'm not sure …

3 days ago

How important is it to have a 'hook' in my college application?

Hi there! I've been hearing about the importance of having a 'hook' in college applications. Can someone please explain what a hook is and whether it's really crucial for getting into a competitive co …

3 days ago

How can I improve my chances of getting accepted into a competitive college?

Hey guys! I'm really determined to get accepted into a competitive college, and I want to know what I can do to improve my chances. What steps should I take in my junior year to strengthen my applicat …

3 days ago

What do colleges think about gap years?

So, I'm currently a junior and I've been thinking about taking a gap year before starting college. I'm just not sure how colleges view gap years and if it would hurt my chances of getting accepted. An …

3 days ago

Do I need to have a 'spike' in my application to get into top colleges?

Hi there! I've heard that having a 'spike,' or a particularly strong area of focus, can help with college admissions. Is this true, and if so, how do I go about developing a spike in my application? I …

3 days ago

What's the best way to approach a college that has a holistic admissions process?

Hey guys! Some of the colleges I'm applying to have a holistic admissions process, which means they consider more than just grades and test scores. How can I make my application stand out in this type …

3 days ago

How important is demonstrated interest to college admissions?

Hi all! I've heard that some colleges track 'demonstrated interest' in their applicants. How important is this factor, and what are some ways to show interest in a college without coming across as ins …

3 days ago

How do I decide between attending a large or small college?

Hi all! I'm a high school junior, and I've been trying to figure out whether I'd prefer attending a large or small college. I can see the benefits of both, but I'm not sure which one would be the best …

3 days ago

What is the role of AP classes in college admissions?

Hi, I'm a junior, and I've taken a few AP classes in high school. How important are AP classes in the college admissions process, and do colleges look for a certain number of AP classes on my transcri …

3 days ago

How can I start preparing for college interviews?

Hello! I'm a junior and I know that some colleges require or recommend interviews as part of the application process. I'm a bit nervous about this aspect, so I want to start preparing as early as poss …

3 days ago

Should I retake the ACT if I'm not satisfied with my score?

I'm a junior and I recently took the ACT, but I'm not completely happy with my score. Should I retake it, or will colleges not care that much about the difference? I'm feeling a little stressed about …

3 days ago

How do I build a strong relationship with my school counselor?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior, and I want to make sure I have a strong relationship with my school counselor since they'll be writing one of my letters of recommendation. How do I go about building this …

3 days ago

What should I do during my college campus visits?

Hi everyone! I'm planning on visiting a few college campuses this summer, and I was wondering what I should do while I'm there to get the most out of my visit. Are there any specific questions I shoul …

3 days ago

How do I choose between colleges if I get accepted to multiple schools?

Hi everyone, I know this might be a bit early, but I'm already thinking about how I'll decide between colleges if I get accepted to more than one. What factors should I consider when making this decis …

3 days ago

How important is my high school course selection for college admissions?

Hi there, I'm a junior and I've been thinking about my course selection for senior year. How important is it to take challenging courses, and do colleges really care about the classes I choose? Thanks …

3 days ago

How much does legacy status impact college admissions?

My parents went to a college that I'm interested in applying to, and I'm wondering how much their legacy status might impact my chances of getting in. Is it a significant factor in the admissions proc …

3 days ago

How can I improve my college application?

Hey there, I'm a junior, and I've been thinking about my college applications. I want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to make my application as strong as possible. What are some things I can d …

3 days ago

How do I choose a college essay topic that showcases my personality?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about my college essay topic. I want to choose something that really showcases my personality and makes me stand out. How did you guys decide on yo …

3 days ago

How do I know if Early Decision or Early Action is right for me?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior in high school, and I've been hearing a lot about Early Decision and Early Action application options. I'm not sure if either one is the right choice for me, and I'm hoping …

3 days ago

Is it worth applying to a college if my stats are below their average?

Hey guys, I'm a high school junior and I'm looking at colleges. There's one college I really like, but my stats are below their average. Is it worth applying, or am I just setting myself up for disapp …

3 days ago
Displaying questions 1-20 of 1967 total
About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.