CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


What factors do colleges consider when looking at applicants?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior in high school, and I've been trying to learn more about the college admissions process. I know that colleges look at a variety of factors when evaluating applicants, but I'm …

a year ago

How do I choose a good college essay topic?

Hey everyone! I'm a high school junior, and I'm starting to think about my college essay. I'm having trouble deciding on a good topic though. What are some tips for choosing a topic that will make my …

a year ago

Is it worth applying to colleges with a low acceptance rate?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I'm looking at colleges with low acceptance rates, like Ivy League schools. I'm wondering if it's worth applying to these schools, even if my chances of getting accepted are …

a year ago

Will a part-time job hurt my chances of getting into college?

Hey everyone! I'm a high school junior, and I'm considering getting a part-time job. I'm worried that it might hurt my chances of getting into college if I have less time to devote to academics and ex …

a year ago

How much do extracurriculars matter in the admissions process?

Hi everyone! I'm a bit stressed about my extracurriculars. I have a few activities I'm passionate about, but I'm not sure if they're impressive enough or if I should try to participate in more. How mu …

a year ago

Looking for research universities that have a liberal arts feel - any recommendations?

Hi! I'm starting to make my college list and I'm really interested in finding research universities that also have a liberal arts feel to them. Any suggestions on where to look or specific schools tha …

a year ago

How early should I start working on my college essay?

Hey all, I'm a junior in high school, and I'm starting to think about the college application process. How early should I start working on my college essay? I want to give myself enough time to write …

a year ago

How much weight do colleges put on AP scores during admissions?

Hi everyone, I'm taking several AP courses and am wondering how much weight colleges put on AP scores when evaluating applicants. Should I prioritize getting good scores, or is it more important to fo …

a year ago

Submitting a research paper to colleges?

Hello! I'm a junior who recently finished a research paper on renewable energy as part of a research course at my school. I was wondering if it would be beneficial to submit this research paper along …

a year ago

What are the most common mistakes in college application essays?

Hey guys, I'm starting to write my college essay and I want to avoid making any common mistakes. What are some things I should watch out for? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

a year ago

Are there any advantages to submitting my application before the deadline?

Hey guys, I was wondering if there are any benefits to submitting my college application earlier than the deadline. Do admissions officers look at applications on a rolling basis or all at once? Thank …

a year ago

Is using dialogue in a college essay allowed?

Hello everyone, I'm writing my college essay and I was thinking of including some dialogue to make it more engaging. Is this a good idea or should I avoid using dialogue? I'd appreciate any thoughts o …

a year ago

Does applying Early Decision (ED) really increase my chances of getting accepted?

Hello! So, I'm a junior and I've been researching about applying to colleges through Early Decision. I've heard that it might increase my chances of getting accepted, but I'm not entirely sure if it's …

a year ago

How personal should I get in my college essay?

Hey everyone, I'm working on my college essay and I'm not sure how personal I should get. I want to be genuine and share my story, but I also don't want to overshare or make the reader uncomfortable. …

a year ago

Is it better to apply for an honors program or to a more selective college?

Hey guys, I'm a junior, and I'm considering applying to some honors programs at state schools, as well as more selective private colleges. I'm not sure which option is better for me in terms of academ …

a year ago

How can I best utilize my summer before senior year?

Hi all, I'm a junior and I want to make the most of my summer before senior year. What activities or experiences should I focus on to strengthen my college application? Thanks for any advice, and Coll …

a year ago

How do I choose a topic for my college essay?

I'm struggling to come up with a topic for my college essay that will make me stand out. How did you guys choose your essay topics, and do you have any tips for finding a unique and interesting idea? …

a year ago

What should my personal essay focus on?

Hey guys, I'm starting to brainstorm ideas for my personal essay, but I'm having trouble figuring out what to focus on. How do I choose a topic that truly represents me and makes me stand out to colle …

a year ago

What can I do over the summer to strengthen my college applications?

Hello! I'm a junior and I want to make good use of my summer break to improve my college applications. What are some activities or programs you'd recommend to help strengthen my application? Thanks in …

a year ago

Do colleges prefer a higher GPA or more challenging courses?

Hi fellow high school students and collegevine experts! I'm a junior and I've been taking a mix of honors and AP classes throughout my high school career. My GPA is pretty good, but I'm wondering if c …

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.