CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


Should I take a gap year before college?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I've been considering taking a gap year before starting college. I feel like it might be beneficial for me, but I'm worried about how it will impact my college admissions. W …

a year ago

What should I do during the summer before my senior year?

Hello! I'm trying to plan my summer before senior year, and I want to make sure I'm using my time wisely. I've heard that it's important to do something productive, like an internship or research proj …

a year ago

When should I start working on college applications?

Hello everyone! I'm a junior in high school, and I've been wondering when the best time is to start working on my college applications. I don't want to procrastinate, but I also don't want to feel ove …

a year ago

How do I decide which extracurriculars to include on my college application?

Hi everyone! I'm a high school junior, and I have a lot of extracurricular activities that I'm involved in. I know I can't include them all on my college application, so how do I decide which ones to …

a year ago

Do colleges care about course rigor?

Hi guys, I'm a high school junior and I've been taking a mix of regular and honors classes. Would colleges prefer that I take more AP classes in my senior year, or do they not care too much about cour …

a year ago

How to choose the right college for me?

Hi everyone! As a junior, I'm beginning to research colleges, and there are so many options. How did you decide which college was the best fit for you? What factors should I consider in making my deci …

a year ago

What are my options if I can't afford my top-choice college?

Hello everyone! I've been accepted to my top-choice college, but I'm worried about the cost. What are my options if I can't afford to attend? Are there additional scholarships or financial aid opportu …

a year ago

How do I choose which colleges to apply to?

Hello! As a junior, I'm starting to think about where I want to apply for college, but there are so many options! How did you all decide which schools to apply to? Are there any factors I should consi …

a year ago

How important is the college interview?

Hey there! I'm a high school junior, and I've started to think about the college interview process. How important is the interview in the overall admissions process, and what tips do you have for maki …

a year ago

How can I best prepare for college application season?

Hello all, I'm a junior and I'm trying to get a head start on the college application process. What steps can I take now to best prepare myself for application season? Thanks for any advice, and Colle …

a year ago

What are some common mistakes to avoid when applying to college?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I want to make sure I don't make any major mistakes when applying to college. What are some common pitfalls or things to avoid during the application process? I'd really …

a year 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 …

a year ago

How can I make my application stand out if my GPA isn't great?

Hey guys! So, I'm a junior and my GPA isn't exactly where I'd like it to be. I know colleges look at more than just GPA, so what are some things I can do to make my application stand out despite havin …

a year ago

How to approach the 'Why this college?' essay?

Hey all, I'm working on my college essays and struggling with the 'Why this college?' prompt. I'm not sure how specific I should be or how to make my essay stand out from others. Any advice or tips on …

a year ago

How do colleges view homeschoolers during the admissions process?

Hey, I'm a homeschooled junior and I'm curious about how colleges view homeschoolers during the admissions process. Are there any specific things I should focus on to make my application stand out? An …

a year ago

Do I need to visit colleges before applying?

Hi guys! I'm a junior and I've been researching colleges online. I was wondering if it's important to visit colleges before applying. Is it necessary or can I get a good feel for the school through vi …

a year 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 …

a year ago

How do I choose between applying to a large university or a small college?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I'm trying to decide whether I should apply to large universities or smaller colleges. What are the pros and cons of both, and how can I determine which is the best fit …

a year ago

Is it okay to write about a personal struggle in my college essay?

Hi everyone, I'm a high school junior starting to brainstorm for my college essays. I want to write about a personal struggle that I've overcome, but I'm not sure if that's appropriate or if it will h …

a year 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? …

a year 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.