CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


Is it better to take a challenging course load or have a higher GPA?

Hey collegevine! I've heard that colleges like to see students taking challenging classes, but I'm worried that taking too many difficult courses will hurt my GPA. What's more important for college ad …

a year ago

What should I be doing right now to prepare for college applications?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I know I still have some time before I need to submit my college applications, but I want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to be prepared. What steps should I be t …

a year ago

How important is demonstrated financial need in the admissions process?

Hey CollegeVine! I'm a junior and I'm wondering how much my demonstrated financial need will play a role in the admissions process. Do colleges take this into consideration when making decisions, and …

a year ago

Should I submit an art portfolio if I'm not applying for an art-related major?

Hi collegevine, I'm passionate about art and have a strong portfolio, but I'm not planning on applying for an art-related major. Should I still submit my portfolio as part of my college applications? …

a year ago

Is it too late to improve my SAT score?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I just took my first SAT and scored a 1250. I'm stressing out about whether or not I have enough time to improve my score before applications are due. Do you think it's poss …

a year ago

Should I apply to more reach schools or more safety schools?

Hey guys! I'm working on my college list and I'm not sure how many reach and safety schools to include. I want to make sure I have a good chance of getting into at least one school, but I also don't w …

a year ago

What are the differences between public and private colleges?

Hi everyone, I'm a high school junior, and I'm trying to decide whether to apply to public or private colleges. Can anyone explain the main differences between the two? How should I choose which is th …

a year ago

Should I retake the SAT/ACT to improve my score?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior in high school, and I've taken the SAT/ACT once already. I got a decent score, but I'm wondering if I should retake it to try for a higher score. How important is it to have …

a year ago

What are the benefits of attending a community college before transferring to a four-year university?

Hey folks! I'm a high school junior, and I'm considering attending a community college before transferring to a four-year university. What are the benefits of doing this, and how can it affect my coll …

a year ago

How much weight do colleges put on SAT scores?

I'm a little bit stressed about my SAT score, as I've always struggled with standardized tests. I have a strong GPA, but I'm worried that my test scores might hold me back. How much do colleges really …

a year ago

How important is it to have a specific major in mind when applying to college?

Hi everyone, I'm a high school junior, and I'm not exactly sure what I want to major in yet. Is it important to have a specific major in mind when applying to college, or is it okay to be undecided? W …

a year ago

Should I apply to colleges with rolling admissions?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I've been researching colleges with rolling admissions. Do you think it's a good idea to apply to these types of schools? What are the pros and cons of rolling admissions? T …

a year ago

Can I apply to colleges with a low GPA?

Hi there! I'm a junior, and unfortunately, my GPA isn't as high as I'd like it to be. I'm worried that this might hurt my chances of getting into a good college. Can anyone offer some advice on how to …

a year ago

How can I prepare for the SAT/ACT?

Hey there! I'm a junior and I'm getting ready to take the SAT/ACT for college admissions. I want to make sure I'm well-prepared, but I'm not sure where to start. Can anyone recommend some good study r …

a year ago

Can you help me understand what a 'holistic' admissions process means?

Hi! I've heard that many colleges have a 'holistic' admissions process, but I'm not exactly sure what that means. Can you explain what it entails and how it might affect my chances of getting accepted …

a year ago

What should I consider when choosing a college?

Hey guys! I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about where I want to apply to college. There are so many options, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. What factors should I consider when choosing whic …

a year ago

What are some good safety schools to consider?

Hi there! I'm a junior starting the college search process, and I want to make sure I have a good list of safety schools in addition to my reach and match schools. Can anyone recommend some good safet …

a year ago

How should I approach the college application process as an international student?

Hi everyone, I'm a high school junior from outside the United States, and I'm interested in applying to American colleges. What should I be aware of as an international student? Are there any specific …

a year ago

Can I apply to more than one college Early Action?

Hi there! I'm a junior and I'm considering applying to a few colleges through their Early Action programs. Is it possible to apply to more than one college this way, or am I limited to just one? Thank …

a year ago

Should I retake the SAT if my score is slightly below my target?

I recently took the SAT and got a score that's just below my target. I'm considering retaking it, but I'm not sure if it's worth the time and effort. What do you guys think? Should I give it another s …

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.