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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.


When should I start asking for letters of recommendation?

Hey friends, I'm a junior in high school and I'm starting to think about college applications. I know letters of recommendation are important, but I'm not sure when the best time to ask for them is. S …

2 years ago

Can I still get into a good college with a low GPA?

Hey there! I'm a junior in high school, and my GPA isn't as high as I'd like it to be. I'm worried that this will hurt my chances of getting into a good college. Can anyone offer advice on how to comp …

2 years ago

How do I build a balanced college list?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior in high school and I've been working on my college list. I know it's important to have a mix of reach, target, and safety schools, but I'm not sure how to decide which school …

2 years ago

How do I find scholarships to apply for?

Hi guys, I'm a junior and I'm starting to look for scholarships to help fund my college education. There are so many out there, and I'm not sure where to start. Do you have any tips for finding schola …

2 years ago

How does the college application process differ for music majors compared to other majors?

Hi everyone, my sibling is currently applying to universities as a music major, and I was wondering if the application process is different for them compared to other majors, like STEM for example. Ar …

2 years ago

Do colleges care about the rigor of my senior year schedule?

Hello, I'm a junior in high school and I'm in the process of selecting my courses for senior year. I've heard that colleges care about the rigor of your schedule, but I'm not sure if that applies to s …

2 years ago

How do I decide between a liberal arts college and a research university?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior who's trying to decide between applying to liberal arts colleges and research universities. I know there are pros and cons to both, but I'm not sure which type of school woul …

2 years ago

Is a 3.7 GPA competitive for top colleges?

Hi! I'm a junior with a 3.7 GPA, and I'm really aiming for some top-tier colleges. I'm worried that my GPA might not be competitive enough. Should I be concerned or do I still have a chance? Any advic …

2 years ago

Should I take a gap year before college?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I've been considering taking a gap year before starting college. I feel like it might be beneficial for me, but I'm worried about how it will impact my college admissions. W …

2 years ago

How do I keep track of all the different college application deadlines?

Hey guys! I'm starting to work on my college applications, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the different deadlines. How do you guys keep track of everything and make sure you don't miss any i …

2 years ago

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

Hi all, I'm hoping to apply to some highly competitive colleges, and I'm looking for ways to increase my chances of getting accepted. What are some things I should focus on to make myself a stronger c …

2 years ago

How to balance school, extracurriculars, and college applications?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior, and I'm starting to feel overwhelmed with school, extracurricular activities, and thinking about college applications. How do you manage to balance everything and still find …

2 years ago

What should I be doing during the summer before my senior year?

Hey everyone! As my junior year is coming to an end, I'm wondering what I should be doing during the summer to prepare for college applications. Do you have any suggestions for things that I should fo …

2 years ago

Can I get a fee waiver for college applications?

Hey friends! I've been looking at the cost of applying to colleges, and it's adding up pretty quickly. I heard that there are fee waivers available, but I'm not sure if I qualify. How can I find out i …

2 years ago

How much do recommendation letters impact admissions decisions?

Hi everyone! I'm in the process of asking for recommendation letters from my teachers, and I'm wondering how much weight these letters carry in the admissions process. Should I be worried if one of my …

2 years ago

How do I determine my college major?

Hi guys, I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about what I want to study in college. How did you decide on your major, and what factors should I consider when making this decision? Any advice would …

2 years ago

How important are teacher recommendations?

Hey there! I know that teacher recommendations are a part of the college application process, but how important are they really? What can I do to make sure I get strong recommendations from my teacher …

2 years ago

Do all colleges require an application fee?

Hi everyone, I'm a high school junior starting to research colleges, and I've noticed that many of them require an application fee. Do all colleges require this, or are there some that don't? Also, ar …

2 years ago

Will a low SAT score hurt my chances of getting into a top college?

Hey everyone, I'm a little stressed about my SAT score. I took it once and didn't do as well as I had hoped. I'm planning on retaking it, but I'm worried that a low score will hurt my chances of getti …

2 years ago

What do colleges look for in a well-rounded applicant?

Hello! I've heard that colleges want to see well-rounded applicants, but I'm not exactly sure what that means. What do colleges look for in a well-rounded applicant, and how can I make sure my applica …

2 years ago
Displaying questions 177161-177180 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.