CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


Need virtual summer ECs for a future neuroscientist/premed student!

Hey guys, I'm a rising senior and I'm really into neuroscience and planning on going premed in college. I need to work on my extracurriculars this summer, but I'm kinda stuck with finding stuff I can …

a year ago

How hard is it to get into 3-2 engineering dual degree programs?

Hey guys, I just found out about 3-2 engineering dual degree programs where you go to one school for 3 years and another for 2 years, getting degrees from both. I really want to go to Notre Dame, but …

a year ago

How important is it to focus on medicine in my Common App essay for a BS/MD program?

Hello! I'm currently preparing my college applications and I'm interested in applying to several BS/MD programs. I have a great idea for my Common App essay, but it doesn't directly relate to medicine …

a year ago

Will not having AP classes on my transcript hurt my chances of getting into a good college?

Hey guys, so my school doesn't offer any AP classes and I'm kinda stressed about how that'll look on my college applications. I'm worried that colleges will think I didn't try hard enough or something …

a year ago

What can I do to improve my chances of getting into UW Seattle's CS program?

Hey, I'm a junior in high school and I'm really interested in applying to the University of Washington's computer science program. I've heard it's super competitive, even for in-state applicants. I'm …

a year ago

What are the best value engineering colleges?

Hi all, I'm currently a junior in high school and I'm starting to look into colleges for engineering, specifically mechanical engineering. I want to find a college that offers a good balance between c …

a year ago

How can I connect with an admissions counselor?

I'm feeling a bit lost and overwhelmed with the college application process, and I think talking to an admissions counselor might help. But I'm not sure how to reach out to them or what the best way i …

a year ago

Which college essays can I begin working on before the official application season starts?

Hello, I hope everyone is doing well! I'd like to get a head start on my college essays, but I'm not sure which ones I can begin working on before the application season officially begins. Can anyone …

a year ago

Not many awards or honors – am I doomed for college apps?

Hey guys, quick question. I don't have a ton of awards or honors from high school, and I'm wondering if this is gonna mess up my college apps. Can I still get into a decent college without all those s …

a year ago

Need to pick a teacher for rec letters – any advice?

Hey guys! So, I gotta choose a teacher (or two) to write my college recommendation letters, but I'm not sure how to decide. What should I think about when picking the best teacher for the job? Any tip …

a year ago

How does being a first-generation college applicant affect the admissions process?

As a first-generation college applicant, I'm feeling a bit anxious about the college admissions process and how my first-gen status may influence my chances of acceptance. Can anyone share their exper …

a year ago

Gap year after senior year? Yay or nay?

Hey guys! I'm thinking about maybe taking a gap year after high school, but I can't decide if it's a good idea or not. What do you think? Any pros and cons you can share from your own experiences? Tha …

a year ago

What is the preferred GPA format (weighted or unweighted) for the Common App?

As I work on my Common App, I'm feeling a bit uncertain about whether to use my weighted or unweighted GPA. Is there a preferred format that colleges look for, or does it vary by institution? Any insi …

a year ago

FAFSA vs. CSS Profile – what's the big difference?

Hey guys! I'm looking into financial aid stuff, and I keep seeing the FAFSA and CSS Profile mentioned. What's the main difference between these two, and why do I need to know about both? Any info you …

a year ago

What criteria do colleges use to determine legacy status for applicants?

I'm feeling a bit uncertain about whether or not I would be considered a legacy student by the colleges I'm applying to, and I'm curious about the criteria they use to determine legacy status. Can any …

a year ago

Do chance calculators actually work? Or is there a better way to figure out my odds?

Hey guys! So, I've been checking out some of those college chance calculators, but I'm not sure if I can trust them. What do you think – are they legit? Or is there a better way to see how likely I am …

a year ago

My school doesn't offer AP classes, will that hurt my chances?

Hello! I'm concerned about the lack of AP classes at my high school and how it might affect my college application. Will colleges understand that AP courses weren't available to me? How can I demonstr …

a year ago

How do I get my PSAT score to go up? Need some advice!

Hey guys! I wanna do better on my PSAT, but I'm not sure where to start. What are some tips or tricks you used to get your score up? Any resources or study hacks you can share? Thanks for the help, y' …

a year ago

Test-optional schools: to send or not to send my SAT/ACT scores?

Greetings everyone! I'm currently considering applying to some test-optional schools, but I'm unsure if I should send my SAT/ACT scores or not. Could you please offer some advice on how to make this d …

a year ago

AP vs IB? Which one looks better for college apps?

Hello fellow students! I am currently considering whether to pursue AP or IB courses in high school, but I'm unsure which one would be more beneficial for my college applications. Could anyone please …

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.