CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Explore our collection of admissions FAQs. Each answer is expert-approved by our team to help you reach your goals.


Letters of recommendation from different subjects?

Hi! I'm a junior and I know I need to start thinking about getting letters of recommendation for my college applications. Should I be asking teachers from different subjects (like humanities and STEM) …

11 months ago

How can I demonstrate a strong interest in engineering without much experience?

Hi everyone, I'm really interested in majoring in engineering when I go to college, but I don't have much experience or any extracurriculars in engineering-related fields. Are there certain things I c …

11 months ago

How do I handle the stress of the college application process?

Hey guys! I'm a junior who's starting to feel really stressed about the college application process. Between school, extracurriculars, and worrying about getting into a good college, I'm struggling to …

11 months ago

Can you still receive financial aid if you have a felony on your record?

Unfortunately, I have a felony on my record, and I'm worried it might affect my chances of getting financial aid for college. Does anyone know if having a felony will disqualify me from receiving fina …

11 months ago

Should I take a year off to build up my application and reapply to top schools?

Hi all, I recently received my decisions and didn't get into my top choice schools. I'm debating whether to take a gap year to work on my application and try again, or just go to one of the schools th …

11 months ago

When should I start studying for the SAT?

I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about taking the SAT. When should I start studying for it? And what resources do you recommend? Thanks in advance for the help!

11 months ago

How can I showcase my passion for filmmaking in my college application?

Hi! I'm really passionate about filmmaking and want to major in film production. What are some ways I can showcase my passion in my college applications? Should I submit a portfolio, even if it's not …

11 months ago

Are AP classes necessary for top-tier schools?

I have a good GPA, solid course rigor, and strong extracurriculars. However, I haven't taken many AP courses at my school. Will this hurt my chances of getting into highly-ranked colleges, or can I st …

11 months ago

Would a 33 ACT score be competitive enough for Ivy League admissions?

I got my ACT scores back and received a 33. I'm happy with it, but I'm unsure if it's competitive enough for the Ivy League schools I'm considering, like Penn and Brown. Should I retake the test or fo …

11 months ago

Would colleges view taking a gap year favorably?

Hello, I've been considering taking a gap year to volunteer abroad, but I'm worried that colleges might view it unfavorably. How do schools generally view applications of students who've taken gap yea …

11 months ago

How do I decide between schools with great social atmospheres and prestigious academic programs?

Hey everyone! I'm a high school junior weighing my options for college. I've visited a few schools that have an amazing vibe, with lots of clubs and events, but their academic programs aren't as prest …

11 months ago

What's a solid unweighted GPA for Ivy League admissions?

Hi guys, I'm a junior, and I've been trying to figure out what a good unweighted GPA would be when aiming for Ivy League schools. Any input would be much appreciated!

11 months ago

Can involvement in church be counted as an extracurricular activity?

Hello, I'm a junior and I've been actively involved in my church for years. Can activities like this be considered extracurricular on college applications? Thanks in advance!

11 months ago

Will a part-time job negatively affect my chances of getting into a top college?

Hey there, I'm a junior and I have a part-time job because I need to help support my family. I have less time to devote to extracurricular activities as a result. Will having a part-time job instead o …

11 months ago

Can I still qualify for financial aid if I have a felony on my record?

I'm a high school junior with a felony on my record, and I'm really worried about my ability to receive financial aid for college. Is it still possible for me to obtain financial aid despite my felony …

11 months ago

How do you decide which AP classes to take?

Hi everyone! I have a lot of options for AP classes next year, and I'm not sure which ones I should take. Should I choose based on potential college majors, or should I focus on subjects I enjoy? Any …

11 months ago

Do Ivy League schools truly care about AP scores?

Hi all, I've been hearing mixed opinions about whether Ivy League schools really care about AP exam scores. How much do my AP scores actually matter when applying?

11 months ago

How do colleges view online high school classes?

Hello! I'm a junior and I've taken a few online classes to supplement my regular high school coursework. I was wondering how colleges view these classes when considering my application. Are they seen …

11 months ago

Is it possible to get into Princeton with not-so-great grades?

Hi everyone, I've always dreamed of going to Princeton, but my GPA isn't the best (3.4). I'm involved in a bunch of extracurriculars and I have a high SAT score. Do you think it's still possible for m …

11 months ago

How can I make my extracurricular activities stand out?

Hi! I'm a junior, and I'm worried that my extracurriculars might not be unique or impressive enough for top colleges. Can anyone give me advice on how to make my activities stand out or what kind of a …

11 months ago
Displaying questions 113441-113460 of 116247 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.