CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


What should I consider when selecting a safety school?

Hello! I'm a junior and I'm working on my college list. I know it's important to have a safety school, but I'm not sure what factors to consider when selecting one. Can anyone give me some advice on w …

a year ago

Choosing the right college: How important are college rankings?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior who's just starting the college search process, and I've been looking at various college rankings (like US News and Forbes). I'm not sure how much weight I should give to the …

a year ago

What should I know about applying to college as a first-generation student?

Hello everyone! I'm a junior and I will be the first person in my family to attend college. What should I know about the college application process as a first-generation student? Are there any resour …

a year ago

How do I choose a major when applying to college?

Hello! I'm a high school junior and I'm starting to think about the college application process. I know that choosing a major can be important, but I'm not quite sure what I want to study yet. How do …

a year ago

Should I take the SAT or the ACT?

Hi all, I'm a junior and I'm planning on taking either the SAT or ACT, but I'm not sure which one. I've heard that colleges don't really have a preference, but I want to make sure I choose the one tha …

a year ago

How to balance extracurriculars and academics?

Hi everyone, I'm a high school junior struggling to balance my extracurriculars and academics. I want to do well in both, but I'm finding it difficult. Any tips on how to manage my time effectively? T …

a year ago

Should I apply to test-optional colleges?

Hello! I've noticed that many colleges have gone test-optional recently. Should I apply to test-optional colleges if I don't have great test scores? How do admissions officers evaluate applicants at t …

a year ago

What are the most important factors in a college's decision to admit a student?

Hi all, I'm a junior and I'm starting to prepare for my college applications. I'm curious about what factors are most important to colleges when they decide whether to admit a student or not. Is it ma …

a year ago

How can I improve my standardized test scores for college applications?

Hi all, I've taken the SAT a couple of times and I'm not quite happy with my scores. I really want to improve them for my college applications. What are some effective strategies or resources for stud …

a year ago

Do colleges look at senior year grades?

Hey guys, I'm a high school junior and I've been wondering if colleges look at senior year grades when making admissions decisions. I've heard mixed opinions on this, so I'm not sure what to believe. …

a year ago

How can I make my personal statement stand out?

Hey guys, I'm starting to think about my college essays and I want to make sure my personal statement really stands out. What types of topics or writing styles have you found to be successful? Thanks …

a year ago

What do top-tier colleges look for in an applicant?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior in high school, and I've been looking into applying to some of the top colleges in the country. I've been wondering, what are some key factors that these colleges look for i …

a year ago

Is it better to take a rigorous course load or maintain a high GPA?

Hi everyone, I'm a bit torn between taking challenging courses and maintaining a high GPA. I've heard that colleges like to see a rigorous course load, but I'm worried that taking too many difficult c …

a year ago

What should I know about submitting an arts supplement?

Hey everyone, I'm a high school junior and I'm passionate about the arts. I've heard that some colleges accept arts supplements as part of the application process, but I'm not sure how to go about sub …

a year ago

How important is my class rank for college admissions?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I was wondering how important my class rank is for college admissions. Should I be concerned if I'm not in the top 10% of my class? How much weight do colleges place on c …

a year ago

What are the pros and cons of attending a large vs. small college?

Hello! I'm a junior and I'm trying to decide if I'd prefer attending a large or small college. Can anyone provide some insight on the pros and cons of each? I want to make sure I choose the right envi …

a year ago

What factors do colleges consider when making admissions decisions?

Hey everyone! I'm curious about what factors colleges consider when they're reviewing applications. I know that grades and test scores are important, but what else do they look at? Can anyone give me …

a year ago

Is it okay to have a lower SAT score if I'm applying to a test-optional school?

Hi everyone! I'm a high school junior and I just got my SAT scores back. They're not as high as I hoped, but I'm considering applying to test-optional colleges. Can I still get in if my score is lower …

a year ago

What's the difference between applying Early Decision and Early Action?

Hi there! I'm starting to look into college applications and I'm a bit confused about the difference between Early Decision and Early Action. Can anyone explain the main differences and the pros and c …

a year ago

What can I do to prepare for college during the summer before my senior year?

Hi all, I want to make the most of the summer before my senior year to prepare for college. What are some productive ways I can spend my time, both in terms of academics and extracurriculars? Thanks f …

a year ago
Displaying questions 149641-149660 of 149894 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.