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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 important are letters of recommendation in the application process?

Hello! I'm a junior and I was wondering how important letters of recommendation are in the college admissions process. What should I look for in a recommender and how can I ensure that my letters are …

3 years ago

What are colleges looking for in a well-rounded applicant?

Hello everyone! I'm a high school junior and I've heard that colleges are looking for well-rounded applicants. What exactly does this mean, and how can I make sure that I'm presenting myself as a well …

3 years ago

How do I choose a college that will best prepare me for my career?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior in high school and I'm trying to find a college that will best prepare me for my future career. What factors should I consider when looking at colleges in relation to my care …

3 years ago

How do I choose between need-based and merit-based scholarships?

Hey all, I'm a high school junior, and I've been researching scholarships to help pay for college. I'm eligible for both need-based and merit-based scholarships, but I'm not sure which ones I should p …

3 years ago

How do I decide which AP classes to take?

Hey guys! I'm a junior and I need to choose my AP classes for senior year. I'm not sure which classes would be the best fit for me and which ones would help me the most in the college application proc …

3 years ago

What are the benefits of attending a community college before transferring to a four-year college?

Hi, I'm a junior and I've been considering attending a community college before transferring to a four-year college. I've heard that there are some benefits to this route, but I'm not sure what they a …

3 years ago

What are some tips for building a strong college application?

Hey guys! I'm a junior and I want to make sure my college application is as strong as possible. Can anyone offer some tips or advice on what I should focus on to build a strong application? What do co …

3 years ago

How do schools recalculate GPA for admissions?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior, and I've been doing some research on college admissions, but I'm a little confused about how colleges recalculate GPAs. Can anyone explain the process and how it might impac …

3 years ago

Can I submit both AP and IB scores to colleges?

Hey everyone! I'm an IB student, but I've also taken a few AP courses. When I apply to college, can I submit both my AP and IB scores, or should I only submit one set of scores? Also, do colleges gene …

3 years ago

Is it better to take more challenging courses or maintain a high GPA?

Hello, I'm a high school junior and I've been wondering whether it's better to take more challenging courses (such as AP or IB classes) at the risk of lowering my GPA, or if I should stick to easier c …

3 years ago

How do I make the most of my college visits?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior planning to visit some colleges soon. I want to make the most of my visits, but I'm not sure how to do that. What should I be looking for during my visits, and are there any …

3 years ago

Do colleges care about senior year grades?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior and I've heard that senior year grades aren't as important for college admissions since most applications are due before the year is over. Is this true, or should I still fo …

3 years ago

Can I apply for financial aid before getting accepted to a college?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I'm curious about the financial aid process. Can I apply for financial aid before I get accepted into a college, or do I have to wait until after I've been admitted? Any …

3 years ago

How much do AP scores matter for college admissions?

Hello! I'm a junior in high school and I've been taking AP classes to challenge myself. I'm wondering how much AP scores actually matter in the college admissions process. Do colleges place a lot of w …

3 years ago

How can I find scholarships to help pay for college?

Hello, I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about how I'm going to pay for college. I know that scholarships can help, but I'm not sure where to find them or how to apply. Can anyone recommend resou …

3 years ago

Is it okay if I don't have a 'spike' in my application?

Hello, everyone! I've read that some college admissions officers look for a 'spike' or a specific talent/interest in applicants. I have a variety of interests but don't really have a standout skill. W …

3 years ago

Should I retake the SAT if my score is below my target?

Hey guys! I recently took the SAT and my score is a bit below my target. I'm considering retaking the test, but I'm not sure if it's worth it. Do colleges look down on multiple SAT attempts? Any advic …

3 years ago

How do I decide between a large university and a small college?

Hi everyone! I'm trying to decide between attending a large university or a small college, and I'm not sure what factors to consider. What are the pros and cons of each? Any advice on making this deci …

3 years ago

How do I write a strong college application resume?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior and I'm starting to work on my college application resume. I want to make sure it's well-organized and highlights my accomplishments effectively. Can anyone share some tips …

3 years ago

How can I improve my chances of getting off a waitlist?

Hey! I'm a junior in high school, and I'm starting to think about the college application process. If I end up on a waitlist for a college I really want to attend, what can I do to improve my chances …

3 years ago
Displaying questions 177221-177240 of 178025 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.