CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


Do colleges prefer SAT or ACT scores?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I've been studying for both the SAT and ACT, but I'm not sure which one I should focus on. Do colleges have a preference for one over the other? Should I submit both scores …

a year ago

How do colleges view applicants who took a mix of AP and IB courses?

Hello collegevine, my high school offers both AP and IB courses, and I've taken a mix of both throughout my time here. I'm a junior now, and I'm starting to worry about how colleges will view my trans …

a year ago

Should I consider attending an out-of-state college?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I've been thinking about whether I should consider attending an out-of-state college. I'm not sure if it's worth the extra cost and effort. Can someone provide some guid …

a year ago

What questions should I ask during college visits?

Hey there, I'm a high school junior and I'm planning on visiting some colleges soon. I want to make the most of my visits, so I was wondering what questions I should ask while I'm there. Any suggestio …

a year ago

How do I choose the best college essay topic?

Hi guys, I'm starting to brainstorm ideas for my college essay and I'm having trouble deciding on a topic. How did you choose the best topic for your essay, and what advice do you have for making it s …

a year ago

How can I improve my essay writing skills for college applications?

Hey guys! I'm a junior, and I've heard that college application essays can be a huge deciding factor in admissions. I'm not the best writer, so I'm worried that my essays might hurt my chances. Any ti …

a year ago

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

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I'm trying to decide whether to take a more rigorous course load or focus on maintaining a high GPA. Which do colleges value more? I'm a bit stressed about making the right …

a year ago

What factors do colleges consider for admissions?

Hey everyone! I'm a high school junior and I'm starting to think about the college application process. I know that grades and test scores are important, but what other factors do colleges consider wh …

a year ago

What should I consider when choosing a college for STEM majors?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior interested in pursuing a STEM major in college. What should I consider when choosing a college for STEM? Are there specific programs or resources I should look for? Thanks f …

a year ago

Is it important to visit colleges before applying?

Hello! I'm a junior and I'm trying to decide if I should visit colleges before applying. Is it important to visit in person, or can I get a good sense of the school through online resources? Any tips …

a year ago

How do I balance school work and extracurriculars during the college application process?

Hi everyone, I'm struggling to balance my school work, extracurriculars, and the college application process. How did you manage your time and responsibilities during this busy period? Any tips or adv …

a year ago

How do I decide if Early Decision is right for me?

Hey! I'm a junior, and I've been hearing a lot about Early Decision and how it can improve your chances of getting into your dream school. I'm not sure if it's the right choice for me, though. What fa …

a year ago

Do I need a strong math background for computer science?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior interested in studying computer science in college, but I'm not the best at math. How strong of a math background do I need for a computer science major? Will I be at a disa …

a year ago

How do I build a balanced college list?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior in high school and I've been working on my college list. I know it's important to have a mix of reach, target, and safety schools, but I'm not sure how to decide which school …

a year ago

How do I handle deferrals or waitlist decisions?

Hey everyone, I'm a bit stressed about the possibility of being deferred or waitlisted during the college application process. What should I do if I find myself in this situation, and how can I improv …

a year ago

Is it bad to take a gap year before college?

Hey there, I'm a junior in high school, and I've been thinking about taking a gap year after I graduate to gain some real-world experience and maybe do some volunteering. I know some colleges are okay …

a year ago

What's the best way to approach a teacher for a letter of recommendation?

Hi everyone! I'm a little bit stressed about asking my teachers for letters of recommendation. I've heard that they can make a big difference in the admissions process. What are some strategies I can …

a year ago

What are some good ways to demonstrate interest in a college?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior and I've started researching colleges. I've heard that demonstrating interest in a college can potentially improve your chances of admission. What are some effective ways to …

a year ago

How do I choose the best college for me?

Hello! I'm a high school junior and I'm starting to think about the college application process. I know that choosing the right college is important, but I'm not sure how to go about it. What factors …

a year ago

How do I write a strong college essay?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior starting to think about my college essays. I'm not the best writer and I'm really nervous about this part of the application process. Does anyone have any tips or resources f …

a year ago
Displaying questions 149741-149760 of 149950 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.