CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


What are some strategies for balancing AP courses and extracurriculars?

Hi guys! I'm taking several AP courses this year, and I'm struggling to balance my academics with my extracurricular commitments. What strategies or tips do you have for managing both effectively? I'd …

a year ago

Does having a part-time job help with college admissions?

Hello everyone! I'm a junior and I've been working a part-time job for a while now. I'm wondering if having a part-time job will be considered a positive factor in my college applications? Also, how s …

a year ago

How can I best prepare for college admissions interviews?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about the college admissions process. I've heard that some colleges require interviews and I want to be prepared. Do you have any tips or resources for …

a year ago

What should I do during my junior year to prepare for college applications?

Hi everyone! I'm currently a high school junior, and I want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to prepare for college applications. What are some things I should be focusing on this year to make …

a year ago

Do I need to have a 'spike' to get into a top college?

Hello everyone, I'm a junior and I've been hearing a lot about the importance of having a 'spike' in your application to get into top colleges. Is this true? What if I have a good GPA and test scores, …

a year ago

What is the process for applying for financial aid?

Hi guys! I'm a bit overwhelmed by the financial aid process, and I'm not sure where to start. What are the steps I need to take to apply for financial aid, and are there any important deadlines I shou …

a year ago

What should I do during my gap year?

Hello everyone! I'm a junior and I've been considering taking a gap year before starting college. For those of you who have taken a gap year, what did you do during that time, and how did it affect yo …

a year ago

Should I focus on having more extracurriculars or fewer but deeper involvement?

Hi there! I'm a junior and I've been involved in a few extracurriculars that I'm passionate about (robotics club, drama, and tennis). I've heard that colleges like to see students with a lot of extrac …

a year ago

Can I list art as an extracurricular activity on my college application?

Hi! I'm a junior who loves creating art in my spare time. It's a pretty important hobby of mine, and I'm curious if I can list it as an extracurricular activity on my college application. Thoughts?

a year ago

How can I improve my chances for getting into a highly competitive college?

Hello everyone, I'm a high school junior aiming for top-tier colleges, but I'm not sure if I'm doing enough to boost my chances of getting in. I have good grades, test scores, and extracurricular acti …

a year ago

What are the benefits of attending a large university versus a small college?

Hello! I'm trying to decide if I should apply to larger universities or smaller colleges, but I'm not sure what the benefits and drawbacks of each are. Can any of you share your experiences and help m …

a year ago

Do colleges prefer a specific font for essays?

Hey! I'm almost done with my college essay and realized I didn't consider the font I used. Is there a particular font that all colleges prefer, or should I just stick with something classic and easy t …

a year ago

What is the CSS Profile and do I need to complete it?

Hey guys, I'm a junior in high school and I've heard about the CSS Profile, but I'm not exactly sure what it is or if I need to complete it. Can anyone explain the purpose of the CSS Profile and how t …

a year ago

How important are high school course rigor and class rank?

Hey there, I'm a junior and I'm wondering how much weight college admissions officers place on course rigor and class rank. I've taken some challenging classes, but I'm not sure if it's enough. Should …

a year ago

Should I have multiple people review my college essay?

I'm getting ready to have some people review my college essay, but I'm not sure how many opinions I should get. Would you recommend having multiple people, like teachers, friends, and family, review i …

a year ago

Can someone help me understand reach, match, and safety schools?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and starting the college application process. Can someone please explain what reach, match, and safety schools are and how to identify them? I appreciate any advice you can give …

a year ago

Could anyone help me understand how financial aid works?

Hi! I'm a high school junior and I'm starting to look into college options. I'm a little bit stressed because I don't understand how financial aid works. Can someone please explain the basics of finan …

a year ago

Is it possible to take the IB exam without enrolling in the IB course?

Hey everyone! My school doesn't offer the IB program, but I was wondering if it's possible to register for an IB exam by self-studying the material? Does anyone have any experience with this? I'd love …

a year ago

Can someone help explain the differences between reach, match, and safety schools?

Hey, I've been doing a lot of college research lately, and terms like 'reach', 'match', and 'safety' keep coming up. Can someone please explain the differences and how I should classify schools? Thank …

a year ago

Should I double-space my college essays?

I'm in the final stages of editing my college essay and I'm not sure if it should be double-spaced or not. I've heard different opinions on this, and I want to make sure I'm doing it correctly. Should …

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.