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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.


Is it okay to switch extracurriculars during high school?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior, and I've been involved in a few different extracurricular activities throughout high school. I'm worried that switching activities might look bad on my college applications …

2 years ago

Should I retake the SAT/ACT if my score is below my target school's average?

Hi collegevine, my SAT/ACT score is a bit below the average for one of my top-choice schools. Is it worth retaking the test to try and improve my score, or should I focus on other aspects of my applic …

2 years ago

How can I make my college essays stand out?

Hey guys! I'm starting to work on my college essays, and I really want them to be unique and memorable. Do any of you have tips for making my essays stand out? What are some common clichés I should av …

2 years ago

When should I start working on my college applications?

Hi all, I'm a junior in high school and I'm wondering when I should start working on my college applications. Is it too early to start now, or should I wait until senior year? Thanks for your help!

2 years ago

What are the most important factors in a college's decision to admit a student?

Hi all, I'm a junior and I'm starting to prepare for my college applications. I'm curious about what factors are most important to colleges when they decide whether to admit a student or not. Is it ma …

2 years ago

How can I demonstrate my passion for a specific major in my college application?

Hi all, I'm a junior and I'm really passionate about a specific major. I want to make sure this passion comes across in my college application. What are some ways I can demonstrate my interest in this …

2 years ago

My school doesn't offer AP classes, will that hurt my chances?

Hello! I'm concerned about the lack of AP classes at my high school and how it might affect my college application. Will colleges understand that AP courses weren't available to me? How can I demonstr …

3 years ago

Can I apply to colleges with a low GPA?

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

2 years ago

What should I do if I'm waitlisted at my top-choice college?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about the possibility of being waitlisted at my top-choice college. If this happens, what should I do to improve my chances of getting off the waitl …

2 years ago

How important is it to have a specific major in mind when applying to college?

Hi everyone, I'm a high school junior, and I'm not exactly sure what I want to major in yet. Is it important to have a specific major in mind when applying to college, or is it okay to be undecided? W …

2 years ago

What is the most important factor in college admissions?

Hi, I've been hearing a lot of conflicting information about what colleges value most in their applicants. Is there one factor that stands out above the rest? Thanks for any insight you can provide!

2 years ago

Navigating the FAFSA process

Hi everyone, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with the whole college application process, and now I'm trying to understand how the FAFSA works. I know it's important for financial aid, but I'm not sure w …

3 years ago

How do I write a strong 'Why Us' essay?

Hello everyone! I'm a junior and I've heard that many colleges require a 'Why Us' essay as part of their application. I'm not sure how to write a strong one that stands out. Can anyone offer some advi …

2 years ago

Will not having AP classes on my transcript hurt my chances of getting into a good college?

Hey guys, so my school doesn't offer any AP classes and I'm kinda stressed about how that'll look on my college applications. I'm worried that colleges will think I didn't try hard enough or something …

3 years ago

How can I research colleges effectively?

Hi everyone, I'm a high school junior and I'm starting to research colleges. What resources or strategies would you recommend to find the best fit for me? Thanks in advance!

2 years ago

How important is financial aid in the college application process?

Hello! I'm a junior and I'm wondering how important financial aid is in the college application process. How do I make sure I get the most financial aid possible? Thanks!

2 years ago

Should I submit an art portfolio if I'm not applying for an art-related major?

Hi collegevine, I'm passionate about art and have a strong portfolio, but I'm not planning on applying for an art-related major. Should I still submit my portfolio as part of my college applications? …

2 years ago

Should I join more extracurriculars in my senior year?

Hey there! I'm a junior, and I've been participating in a few extracurriculars throughout high school. I'm wondering if I should join more clubs or activities in my senior year to boost my college app …

2 years ago

What should I know about applying to colleges with a low acceptance rate?

Hello! I'm a junior and I'm considering applying to some highly competitive colleges. What should I know about the admissions process for colleges with low acceptance rates? Any tips or advice would b …

2 years ago

What are the best resources for college essay help?

As I start to think about my college essays, I'm wondering what resources are available to help me write a strong essay. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

2 years ago
Displaying questions 177841-177860 of 178044 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.