CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


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

How does working out-of-state affect my eligibility for in-state tuition at public colleges?

Hello everyone! I currently reside in one state but work in another, and I'm considering attending college in my home state. I was wondering if I would still be eligible for in-state tuition under the …

a year ago

What steps should I take to inform colleges about my high school's unique GPA calculation method?

Greetings! My high school calculates GPAs differently than most, and I'm concerned about how this will be perceived by colleges during the admissions process. Could you please advise me on how to conv …

a year ago

What financial aid options are available for international students applying to US colleges?

Hello! I'm an international student planning to apply to colleges in the United States, and I was wondering if it's possible for me to receive financial aid. Could someone please provide some informat …

a year ago

What's the best way to address limited extracurricular involvement in college applications?

I've been stressing out about my lack of extracurriculars throughout high school, and now I'm worried about how it'll affect my college applications. How can I address this issue in a way that doesn't …

a year ago

Is taking a summer off from extracurriculars a bad idea for college admissions?

I've been contemplating taking a break this summer to recharge, but I'm concerned about how it might affect my college applications. Do you think colleges will look down on me if I don't participate i …

a year ago

Any advice for picking the right colleges to apply to?

So, I'm trying to put together my college list, but I feel like I'm drowning in options. How did you guys figure out which schools to apply to? What are some key factors I should consider? Just lookin …

a year ago

What's the deal with extra letters of recommendation for college apps?

Hey folks! I've got a question. I've got my main letters of recommendation covered, but I've heard about these supplemental ones. What are they really for? Do they make a huge difference, or can I jus …

a year ago

How does earning college credits during high school impact college admissions?

Yikes, I'm kinda stressing out here. I took a couple of courses at a nearby college during my junior year and earned some college credits. But now I'm wondering how much weight college admissions offi …

a year ago

How can I compensate for lower GPA and test scores in my college applications?

As a junior, I'm concerned that my GPA and test scores might not be as high as some colleges would like. What other aspects of my application should I focus on to compensate for these lower scores? An …

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.