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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 can I balance schoolwork and extracurricular activities?

Hey, I'm a junior in high school, and I'm struggling to balance my schoolwork with my extracurricular activities. Any tips or advice on how to manage my time effectively? Thanks for your help!

2 years ago

What are the best resources for researching colleges?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I'm trying to find the right college for me. What are some of the best resources for researching colleges? I want to make sure I'm making an informed decision. Thanks fo …

2 years ago

What should I be doing right now to prepare for college applications?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I know I still have some time before I need to submit my college applications, but I want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to be prepared. What steps should I be t …

2 years ago

What are some common mistakes to avoid in college applications?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I want to make sure I don't make any mistakes that could hurt my chances of getting into my top-choice colleges. What are some common mistakes you've seen or heard about in …

2 years ago

What are my options if I don't get into my ED school?

Hi everyone, I recently applied to my dream school through Early Decision (ED), but I'm worried about the possibility of being rejected. If that happens, am I allowed to apply to another school throug …

3 years ago

Can a strong portfolio make up for lower grades in art-related majors?

Hi everyone! I'm a high school junior, and I'm interested in applying to art-related programs in college. My grades aren't the best, but I have a strong portfolio of my work. Can a strong portfolio ma …

2 years ago

How can I stay motivated during the college application process?

Hey guys, I'm a high school junior and I'm starting to feel a little bit stressed about the college application process. There's so much to do, and I'm worried that I might lose motivation along the w …

2 years ago

Do colleges prefer IB over AP?

Hello! I'm a junior and my school offers both AP and IB courses. I've heard that some colleges prefer one over the other, but I'm not sure which one is more favorable. Does anyone have any insight on …

2 years ago

How can I best prepare for college interviews?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior in high school and I'm starting to think about college interviews. I want to make sure I'm well-prepared and can make a good impression. What are some tips for preparing for …

2 years ago

How do colleges view gap years?

Hello! I've been considering taking a gap year before college, but I'm concerned about how it will affect my chances of getting into my dream school. Do colleges view gap years positively or negativel …

2 years ago

Should I include all my extracurriculars in my college application?

Hi, I'm a high school junior and I'm involved in several clubs and organizations. Some are more significant to me than others, but I'm not sure if I should include every single one in my college appli …

2 years ago

What are some good extracurricular activities for a pre-med student?

Hey all! I'm a junior who wants to go into medicine and I'm looking for some extracurricular activities that can help me stand out in the college admissions process. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance …

2 years ago

How can I improve my standardized test scores for college applications?

Hi all, I've taken the SAT a couple of times and I'm not quite happy with my scores. I really want to improve them for my college applications. What are some effective strategies or resources for stud …

2 years ago

How important is having a college major in mind when applying?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior, and I'm not sure what I want to major in yet. Will this hurt my chances when applying to colleges, or is it okay to be undecided? Can anyone offer some advice on this? Thank …

2 years ago

How much do AP courses affect college admissions?

Hello all, I'm a junior and I'm wondering how much taking AP courses impacts college admissions. I've taken a few, but I'm not sure if it's enough. Should I be loading up on more AP classes? Thanks fo …

2 years ago

When should I start working on my college essays?

Hello! I'm a junior, and I've been thinking about when I should start writing my college essays. I want to make sure I have enough time to make them perfect. When did you guys start working on yours? …

2 years ago

Should I submit an optional essay if a college allows it?

Hey guys! Some colleges I'm applying to have an optional essay. Should I submit one? What are the benefits of doing so and are there any downsides? Thanks for any advice!

2 years ago

Can someone help me understand the importance of the 'Why us?' essay?

Hey everyone! I've been working on my college essays, and I keep hearing about the 'Why us?' essay. I'm a bit confused about why it's so important, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on how to make mi …

2 years ago

Can I apply to more than one Early Decision/Early Action school?

Hi, I'm considering applying to some schools through Early Decision or Early Action, but I'm not sure if I can apply to more than one. What are the rules regarding multiple Early Decision/Early Action …

2 years ago

How important are standardized test scores?

Hi! I'm a junior and I'm wondering how important standardized test scores are for college admissions. Are they a major factor, or do colleges focus more on other aspects of my application? Thanks!

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.