CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


What do you wish you knew about the college application process before you started?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior who's starting to get a little stressed about applying to college next year. For those who have already gone through the process, what do you wish you knew before you starte …

a year ago

How do colleges view community college courses taken during high school?

Hey! I'm planning on taking some community college courses while I'm still in high school. Will colleges view these courses as rigorous as AP or IB classes? Do they look positively on students who tak …

a year ago

How much do SAT/ACT scores matter for college admissions?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I've been studying for the SAT and ACT, but I'm not sure how much these scores actually matter in the grand scheme of things. Can a strong application make up for a lower …

a year ago

How many AP classes should I take to be competitive for top colleges?

Hey there! I'm currently a junior and I'm trying to plan my senior year schedule. I want to be competitive for top colleges, but I'm not sure how many AP classes I should take. What's a reasonable num …

a year ago

Should I take AP or Dual Enrollment classes?

Hello everyone! I'm a junior and I'm trying to decide between taking AP or Dual Enrollment classes next year. What are the pros and cons of each? I'd appreciate any advice or personal experiences. Tha …

a year ago

What do colleges think of online classes?

Hey everyone! I'm considering taking a few online classes next year, but I'm not sure if colleges view them as less rigorous than traditional classes. Do colleges view online courses differently? I do …

a year ago

Can I still get into a top college with a lower GPA?

Hey guys, I'm a bit stressed because my GPA isn't as high as I'd like it to be (about a 3.5). I'm aiming for some top colleges, and I'm worried that my GPA will hold me back. Is it still possible to g …

a year ago

Are there any advantages to applying Early Decision?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I'm starting to research colleges. I've heard about Early Decision, but I'm not sure if it's right for me. Are there any advantages to applying Early Decision compared to …

a year ago

How do I decide between the SAT and the ACT?

Hey! I'm a junior, and I'm trying to decide whether to take the SAT or the ACT. What factors should I consider when choosing between the two tests? Any advice from those who have taken both would be s …

a year ago

Will being a first-generation student improve my chances of getting into a top college?

Hey everyone! I'm a current high school junior, and I'll be the first in my family to attend college. I've heard that being a first-generation student can sometimes give you a little boost in the admi …

a year ago

Do all colleges require letters of recommendation?

Hi, I'm a junior and I've been researching college requirements. I know that some colleges require letters of recommendation, but is this true for all colleges? If so, how many letters should I ask fo …

a year ago

How important are college rankings?

Hello! I've been researching colleges and looking at various rankings, but I'm not sure how much weight I should give them. How important are college rankings in the admissions process, and should I u …

a year ago

How do I choose the right college?

Hi all! I'm a junior in high school, and I'm beginning to research colleges. There are so many options out there and I'm struggling to figure out which one would be the best fit for me. How did you gu …

a year ago

Are college rankings a reliable way to choose a college?

Hey, I'm a junior and I've been looking at college rankings to help me decide which college to apply to. I'm wondering if these rankings are really reliable, or if there are other factors I should be …

a year ago

Do colleges really look at your social media?

Hi, guys! I've heard that some colleges look at applicants' social media accounts during the admissions process. Is this true? Should I be worried about what I post online? Thanks for any insight!

a year ago

What should I look for when visiting college campuses?

Hi there, I'm a junior and my family and I are planning some college visits soon. I'm not sure what I should be looking for or what questions to ask during these visits. Can anyone give me some advice …

a year ago

How do I choose the right college application platform?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I've heard about different college application platforms like the Common App, Coalition App, and others. How do I decide which one to use, and are there any advantages o …

a year ago

What should I consider when deciding whether to apply for financial aid?

Hey guys! I'm trying to decide whether or not to apply for financial aid, and I'm not sure what factors I should consider. Will applying for aid affect my chances of getting into a school? Is there an …

a year ago

Can anyone recommend some good safety schools?

Hi friends! I'm in the process of creating my college list and I need some help finding good safety schools. I have a 3.8 GPA and a 1400 SAT. My intended major is computer science. Can anyone suggest …

a year ago

What kind of extracurricular activities do colleges value most?

Hello everyone, I'm a junior in high school and I'm trying to figure out which extracurricular activities to focus on this year. What kind of activities do colleges value most? Should I focus on leade …

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.