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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 demonstrated interest and campus visits matter in admissions?

Hey guys, I've heard that some colleges really value demonstrated interest, like attending campus visits and info sessions. I wasn't able to visit a few of my top choice schools in person due to COVID …

2 years ago

What's the best way to manage college application stress?

Hey guys, I'm a high school junior and I'm already feeling anxious about the college application process. I find myself constantly worrying about deadlines, essays, and my chances of getting into my d …

2 years ago

How can I research colleges when I can't visit them in person?

Hello! I'm in the process of researching colleges, but I haven't been able to visit many campuses in person. Can you suggest some ways to get a feel for different schools without physically visiting t …

2 years ago

How do I choose a college with a strong program in my intended major?

I've decided on my intended major, but I'm not sure how to find colleges with strong programs in that field. What should I be looking for and are there any resources to help me find the best schools f …

2 years ago

SAT vs. ACT: Which one should I choose?

Hi all! I'm a junior, and I'm trying to decide between taking the SAT or the ACT. I know they're both accepted by colleges, but I'm not sure which one would be better for me. I've heard that they test …

2 years ago

How do colleges view AP classes and scores?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I've taken a few AP classes. I'm wondering how colleges view AP classes and scores during the admissions process. Do they care more about the class grade or the exam sco …

2 years ago

When should I start asking for recommendation letters?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I know that we need to get recommendation letters from our teachers for college applications. When is the best time to start asking for these? I don't want to wait too lo …

2 years ago

Are SAT Subject Tests still important for college admissions?

Hey guys, I'm a little stressed about taking SAT Subject Tests since some colleges have stopped requiring them. Are they still a significant factor in the admissions process? Should I still take them …

2 years ago

How important is my high school's reputation in the college admissions process?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior and I'm curious about how much my high school's reputation matters in the college admissions process. Will attending a more prestigious high school give me an advantage or d …

2 years ago

Is it better to have a high GPA with no AP classes or a lower GPA with many AP classes?

Hey guys, I'm a high school junior and I'm trying to figure out if I should take more AP classes next year. I'm worried that they might lower my GPA, though. In the college admissions process, is it b …

2 years ago

How do colleges evaluate high school rigor?

Hi! As a junior, I'm trying to understand how colleges evaluate the rigor of my high school curriculum. What factors do they consider, and how can I make sure I'm taking a challenging enough course lo …

2 years ago

What role do parents play in the college application process?

Hi all! I'm curious about how involved my parents should be in the college application process. What role should they play, and how can they best support me during this time? Any advice would be appre …

2 years ago

How do I choose the best college essay topic?

Hi guys, I'm starting to brainstorm ideas for my college essay and I'm having trouble deciding on a topic. How did you choose the best topic for your essay, and what advice do you have for making it s …

2 years ago

How do I decide whether to go to a public or private college?

Hello, I'm a junior and I'm considering both public and private colleges. What are the main differences between the two, and what factors should I take into account when making my decision? Thanks for …

2 years ago

How can I get a good letter of recommendation?

Hello! I'm a junior in high school and I'll need to start asking for letters of recommendation soon. I'm not sure how to go about choosing the right teachers or how to ask them. Does anyone have any t …

2 years ago

Is it too late to improve my GPA for college applications?

Hi everyone! I'm currently a junior, and I've been feeling a bit stressed about my GPA. I didn't do too well during freshman and sophomore year, but I want to turn things around. Is it too late to imp …

2 years ago

Should I apply to more reach schools or safety schools?

Hey guys! I'm a junior, and I'm working on finalizing my college list. Should I apply to more reach schools or safety schools? How many of each type should I have on my list?

2 years ago

Are AP classes necessary for college admissions?

Hey guys! I'm a junior and I'm wondering how important AP classes are for college admissions. I've taken a few, but I'm not sure if I should take more. Do colleges really care about the number of AP c …

2 years ago

How do I know if I should apply Early Decision or Regular Decision?

Hello everyone! I'm trying to decide whether I should apply Early Decision or Regular Decision to my top-choice college. What are the pros and cons of each option? How did you all decide which one was …

2 years ago

Should I retake the SAT if my score is lower than expected?

Hi there, I'm a junior and recently took the SAT, but my score was lower than I hoped. Is it worth retaking the test, or should I focus on other parts of my application? I don't want to waste time if …

2 years ago
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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.