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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.


Can I apply to both public and private colleges?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior in high school and I'm trying to decide which colleges to apply to. I've been considering both public and private schools, but I'm not sure if I can apply to both types. Is i …

2 years ago

How do I make a balanced college list?

Hello! I'm a high school junior and I'm working on creating my college list. How do I make a balanced list with reach, target, and safety schools? Any advice on how to determine which schools fit into …

2 years ago

Is it better to take challenging courses and get lower grades or easier courses and get higher grades?

Hi everyone, I'm a high school junior, and I'm trying to decide which courses to take next year. Is it better to take challenging courses and potentially get lower grades or take easier courses and ge …

2 years ago

Can I submit additional recommendation letters beyond the required amount?

Hello everyone! I'm a junior who's starting to think about recommendation letters for college applications. If a college requires two letters, can I submit more than that if I have additional teachers …

2 years ago

Will taking a gap year affect my college admissions chances?

Hello! I'm a junior in high school, and I've been considering taking a gap year after graduation. Will this negatively impact my chances of getting into college? What should I do during my gap year to …

2 years ago

When should I start preparing for the SAT/ACT?

Hey there! I'm a junior, and I haven't taken the SAT or ACT yet. I'm feeling a little stressed about when I should start preparing for these tests. Can anyone share their experience or suggest a good …

2 years ago

How do I discuss a low grade on my college applications?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I have a low grade in one of my classes from last year. I'm worried that it might hurt my chances of getting into my top-choice colleges. How do I address this issue on my c …

2 years ago

Should I include unrelated extracurriculars on my college application?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior who's starting to think about my college applications, and I'm wondering whether I should include extracurriculars that aren't related to my intended major. I have a few hobb …

2 years ago

How can I improve my chances of getting into a highly selective school?

My dream school is very competitive, and I'm trying to figure out what I can do to increase my chances of getting in. Are there any specific extracurriculars, classes, or other factors that would make …

2 years ago

Can I submit additional materials (like artwork or writing samples) with my college application?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior who's passionate about art and writing, and I'm wondering if it's possible to submit additional materials with my college application to showcase my talents. If so, how do I …

2 years ago

Is it okay to have a lower GPA if my course load is rigorous?

Hey there, I'm a junior with a pretty rigorous course load (4 AP classes this year). My GPA is a bit lower than I would like, but I'm wondering if colleges will take into account the difficulty of my …

2 years ago

Should I submit an arts supplement with my college application?

Hi, everyone! I'm a junior and I'm passionate about music and theater. I've heard that submitting an arts supplement with my college application can showcase my talents and potentially help my chances …

2 years ago

Can I submit an art portfolio even if I'm not applying for an art major?

Hi everyone! So I'm really passionate about art and I've been working on my portfolio for a while now. However, I'm planning to major in computer science. Is it still a good idea to submit my art port …

2 years ago

What are the benefits of attending a liberal arts college?

Hello everyone! I'm a junior in high school, and I've been researching different college options. I've come across several liberal arts colleges that seem interesting, but I'm not sure what the benefi …

2 years ago

Are there any benefits to applying Early Decision or Early Action?

Hi all! I'm a high school junior, and I'm starting to plan out my college application timeline. I'm considering applying Early Decision or Early Action to some schools, but I'm not sure if there are a …

2 years ago

Will having a part-time job help or hurt my college application?

I've been working part-time throughout high school, and I'm wondering if this is seen as a positive or negative thing by colleges. Will it show responsibility and time management, or might they think …

2 years ago

Do I need to take a foreign language all four years of high school?

Hi guys! I'm a high school junior and I'm wondering if I need to take a foreign language for all four years of high school. I've already taken three years, but I'm considering dropping it next year to …

2 years ago

How to ask for fee waivers for college applications?

Hello, everyone! I'm a junior and I'm concerned about the costs of applying to multiple colleges. How do I go about requesting fee waivers, and what are the requirements to be eligible for them? Thank …

2 years ago

Should I apply for financial aid if I think my family won't qualify?

Hi there, I'm a junior in high school and my family's income is on the higher side. I'm worried that we won't qualify for financial aid, but I don't want to miss out on any potential assistance. Shoul …

2 years ago

Do I need to take both the SAT and ACT for college admissions?

Hi there, I'm a junior and I've heard conflicting information about the SAT and ACT. Do I need to take both tests for college admissions, or is it okay to just take one of them? Which one do colleges …

2 years ago
Displaying questions 176981-177000 of 178041 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.