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CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


How much do letters of recommendation matter?

Hi all! I'm currently a junior and starting to think about who to ask for letters of recommendation. How much do these letters actually matter in the admissions process? Should I prioritize getting re …

2 years ago

What are colleges looking for in a personal essay?

Hi all! As a junior starting to think about college applications, I'm a bit stressed about the personal essay. I'd like to know what colleges are looking for in a personal statement. Any tips or advic …

2 years ago

Is it okay to discuss mental health in my college application essay?

Hi all! I'm a junior and I'm considering discussing my experiences with mental health in my college application essay. Is this a good idea, or should I choose a different topic? I would really appreci …

2 years ago

What factors should I consider when picking a major?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior in high school and I'm starting to think about what I want to study in college. There are so many options and I'm not sure how to choose. What factors did you consider when p …

2 years ago

What are the differences between the Common App and Coalition App?

Hello! I'm a high school junior starting to think about college applications. I've heard about the Common App and Coalition App, but I'm not sure what the differences are between them. Which one shoul …

2 years ago

How do I choose a college major if I have multiple interests?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I have a lot of interests, but I'm not sure which major to choose for college applications. How can I narrow down my options and make the best decision for my future? Tha …

2 years ago

How do I choose the right extracurricular activities?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior, and I'm trying to figure out which extracurricular activities I should focus on this year. How do I determine which ones will look best on my college applications? Thanks fo …

2 years ago

How much does legacy status help in college admissions?

Hello everyone! I'm a junior and my parents both went to a college I'm interested in applying to. I'm wondering how much legacy status actually helps in the admissions process. Can anyone provide some …

2 years ago

Are demonstrated interest and early decision applications related?

I've heard that applying early decision can be a way to show demonstrated interest in a college. Is this true? If so, does it significantly improve my chances of getting accepted? I'm feeling a tad st …

2 years ago

Should I include a low SAT score on my application if it's optional?

Hey fellow applicants! I recently took the SAT and didn't do as well as I had hoped. Some of the colleges I'm applying to have made SAT scores optional this year. Should I still include my score on my …

2 years ago

Is it better to have a well-rounded application or to specialize in one area?

Hey there! I'm a junior and I'm trying to figure out how to best present myself on my college applications. Is it better to show a wide range of interests and activities, or to focus on one area where …

2 years ago

Is it okay to reach out to current students at colleges I'm interested in?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior and I'm researching colleges I'd like to apply to. I'm considering reaching out to current students at these colleges to get their perspective, but I'm not sure if that's ap …

2 years ago

What's the best way to study for the SAT/ACT?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I'll be taking the SAT/ACT soon. I'm feeling a bit stressed about preparing for these tests. What study methods or resources have you found most effective? I want to make su …

2 years ago

What should I do if I've been waitlisted at my top-choice college?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I'm really worried about what will happen if I get waitlisted at my top-choice college. I know that being on the waitlist doesn't guarantee admission, but is there anythi …

2 years ago

What are the benefits of doing an internship during high school?

Hi, I'm a junior, and I've been considering doing an internship during my senior year. I'm not sure if it's worth it, though. Can anyone share their experiences or the benefits of doing an internship …

2 years ago

Is it better to submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher or a coach?

Hello! I'm a junior starting to think about college applications, and I'm not sure who to ask for a letter of recommendation. I have a really good relationship with both my English teacher and my socc …

2 years ago

What are the most important factors colleges consider in applications?

Hi! I'm a high school junior and I'm trying to understand what colleges value most in an applicant. Are they more interested in test scores, GPA, extracurriculars, or something else? What should I foc …

2 years ago

Can I still get into a good college if I don't have any AP classes?

Hi guys! I'm currently a junior in high school, and I'm feeling a bit worried about my college prospects since I haven't taken any AP classes. My school offers a few, but I didn't feel prepared to tak …

2 years ago

Can anyone share their experience with taking a gap year before college?

Hi there! I'm currently contemplating whether to take a gap year before starting college. I would love to hear from people who have taken a gap year and how your experience was. Did it help you grow p …

2 years ago

How to decide which colleges to apply to?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior who's just starting the college search process. I'm feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of colleges out there. How did you guys decide which ones to apply to? Are there a …

2 years ago
Displaying questions 176201-176220 of 178038 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.