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 retake the ACT if I'm not happy with my score?

Hello! I recently took the ACT and received a score of 28. I'm not super thrilled with my score and I'm considering retaking it. Is it worth retaking, or should I focus on other aspects of my college …

a year ago

How can I decide between in-state and out-of-state colleges?

Hey! I'm considering applying to both in-state and out-of-state colleges, but I'm not sure how to weigh the pros and cons of each. What factors should I consider when deciding between in-state and out …

a year ago

Should I retake the SAT/ACT?

Hi everyone! I'm a high school junior and I recently got my SAT/ACT scores back. While my scores are decent, I think I could do better. Should I retake the test to try and improve my scores, or should …

a year ago

What is the best way to stand out in my college essays?

Hello! As a high school junior, I'm starting to think about my college essays and I really want to make an impression on the admissions officers. I know that a unique and well-written essay can make a …

a year ago

What questions should I ask at a college fair?

Hello everyone! I'm a junior and I'm planning to attend a college fair soon. What are some good questions I should ask the college representatives? I want to make the most of my time there. Thanks for …

a year ago

How do college waitlists work?

Hi all, I'm a junior and I'm curious about how college waitlists work. How do colleges decide who to take off the waitlist, and what can I do to increase my chances of getting off the waitlist if I en …

a year ago

How important is it to have a major decided before applying to college?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I've been stressing about picking a major before applying to college. Is it necessary to have a major decided beforehand, or can I figure it out once I'm enrolled? Any ad …

a year ago

Should I retake the SAT or ACT if I'm not happy with my score?

Hello everyone! I'm a junior and I recently took the SAT/ACT, but I'm not thrilled with my score. Should I retake the test, or focus on other aspects of my application? How many times is it acceptable …

a year ago

What should I do if I don't get into my dream college?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior in high school, and I've been dreaming about attending a specific college for years. However, I know that there's always a chance I won't get in. What should I do if I don't …

a year ago

How important is demonstrated leadership for college admissions?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior in high school and I've been involved in a few clubs, but I haven't had any leadership positions yet. How important is it to show leadership in my extracurriculars for colle …

a year ago

Is it okay if I haven't figured out my major yet?

As a junior, I feel like everyone around me already knows what they want to study in college, but I'm still unsure. Will this hurt my chances of getting into a good college? Thanks in advance for the …

a year ago

Is community service important for college applications?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I've been wondering how important community service is for college applications. How much weight do colleges place on volunteer work, and what types of community service act …

a year ago

Does applying early decision actually improve my chances?

Hi everyone, I'm considering applying early decision to my top choice school, but I've heard mixed opinions on whether it actually helps or not. Can anyone share their experience or thoughts on this? …

a year ago

Is it better to have a high GPA with easy classes or a lower GPA with challenging courses?

Hey, I'm a high school junior, and I've been wondering whether it's better to have a high GPA from taking easier classes or a slightly lower GPA from taking more challenging courses. I know that colle …

a year ago

Is it better to have a high GPA or take challenging classes?

Hey there, I'm a junior and I'm a bit stressed about my course selection for next year. Should I prioritize maintaining a high GPA or challenge myself with difficult courses? Any input would be helpfu …

a year ago

How do I decide between the SAT and ACT?

Hi guys, I'm a junior and I need to decide whether to take the SAT or ACT. I'm not sure which one would be better for me. How did you decide which test to take, and what factors should I consider? Tha …

a year ago

Should I consider applying to test-optional schools?

Hey all, I'm a junior and I've been hearing a lot about test-optional schools. Should I consider applying to these schools if my standardized test scores aren't as strong as I'd like? What are the pro …

a year ago

Are online college fairs worth attending?

Hello! I recently heard about online college fairs and I'm wondering if they're worth attending. Do they provide valuable information and opportunities to connect with admissions officers? What has be …

a year ago

Can you explain the difference between the Common App and the Coalition App?

Hello everyone! I'm a junior, and I've heard about the Common App and the Coalition App, but I'm not sure what the differences are between them. Can someone explain which one I should use and why? Tha …

a year ago

When should I start working on my personal essay?

Hey guys, I'm a bit stressed about the college application process. I know the personal essay is a crucial part of my application, but I'm not sure when I should start working on it. Any advice or sug …

a year ago
Displaying questions 147141-147160 of 147271 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.