CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


What ACT score should I be aiming for to get into a good college?

Hey everyone, I'm in my junior year and starting to think about my ACT. I'm aiming for some pretty competitive schools, but I'm not sure what score range is considered good. Can anyone give me some in …

11 months ago

What's the dress code for a college campus tour?

So I've got a few college tours lined up and I'm wondering, what's the deal with dressing for them? Should I be going business casual, or is something more relaxed acceptable? I want to make a good im …

11 months ago

How do I choose my major for college?

Feeling kinda lost about picking a major—I've got interests all over the place. Any advice on how to narrow it down? Should I be thinking more about job prospects, or just go with what I love?

11 months ago

SOS: How do unsubsidized loans work?

So I'm starting to get my head around college financing and I keep hearing about unsubsidized loans. Can someone break down for me how they work? Like, when do I have to start paying them back and how …

11 months ago

GPA calculation seems confusing, can anyone explain why it's a big deal?

Can someone lay out how GPA is actually calculated and why colleges care about it so much? It's kind of overwhelming to figure out how this number is going to affect my college chances.

11 months ago

What sets liberal arts colleges apart from other institutions?

Can someone give me the lowdown on liberal arts colleges? I'm hearing a lot about them and just wondering what they offer that's different from bigger universities or specialized schools.

11 months ago

Is AP Capstone really a game changer for college readiness?

I've heard a lot about the AP Capstone program and I'm wondering if it actually gives you a leg up in the college admissions process. Does it really prepare you better for college-level work? If anyon …

11 months ago

What's the best way to prepare the night before a huge test?

So I've got exams coming up and I'm a little bit stressed. What should I be doing the night before to make sure I'm prepared? Any tips on calming nerves and getting into the right headspace?

11 months ago

What's a solid ACT Writing score that colleges might look for?

Hey guys, I'm a little stressed with all this admissions stuff. For schools that still look at it, what ACT Writing score should I be aiming for? Like, what's generally regarded as 'good' by colleges?

11 months ago

Ideal GPA for college admissions—Is there a 'magic number'?

Feeling the pressure and could use some advice! What's seen as a good GPA when applying to colleges? I know this might be subjective, but I'm looking for a ballpark figure. Also, do colleges care more …

11 months ago

What's on the SAT Writing section exactly?

Just started SAT prep and wondering what topics I need to focus on for the writing section. What exactly is tested? Would love some guidance to refine my study plan.

11 months ago

Best Education programs at HBCUs?

Education is a calling, and I'm on the hunt for HBCUs that are especially strong in their Education programs. Teachers or current students in Education at HBCUs, can you shed some light for a junior t …

11 months ago

Can you cancel an ACT score after taking the test?

I just took the ACT and I'm having a mild panic that I bombed it. Is it possible to cancel my scores before they're reported, or am I stuck with whatever I got?

11 months ago

What exactly does a kinesiology major entail and how should I prepare?

Hey guys, I'm really into sports and considering a major in kinesiology in college. What should I expect from the coursework? Any tips on what I can do now to get ahead or prepare for this major?

11 months ago

When do ACT scores typically get released?

Hi, does anyone know how long it usually takes for ACT scores to be released? I'm trying to plan my college application timeline and it would help to know when to expect my results.

11 months ago

What exactly does becoming an AP Scholar entail?

Hey everyone, I just heard one of my classmates mention they're an AP Scholar. I'm kinda curious – what does it take to be called an AP Scholar? How many exams do you have to ace, and are there differ …

11 months ago

Is a 1350 on the PSAT a Good Sign?

Feeling good about my PSAT—I got a 1350. Is this like a solid benchmark for colleges that look at PSAT scores, or should I aim even higher for the SAT? Not sure how colleges interpret these scores.

11 months ago

What exactly does 'prospective student' mean in admissions?

I keep seeing 'prospective student' all over college websites. Can someone break down what this actually means? Like, at what point do you go from just a high school student to a 'prospective student' …

11 months ago

Community Service for College Apps: What Counts?

Alright, so I know community service is important for college apps, but I'm kinda fuzzy on what actually counts as 'good' community service. Could use some advice!

I've done various things like helping …

11 months ago

How long does it take to get ACT test results back?

Hey y'all! Just got done with the ACT and the wait is killing me just a little bit – how long does it typically take to get our ACT test results back? Got some anxious vibes over here and hoping for s …

11 months 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.