CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hello! I'm a junior from outside the US, and I'm considering applying to colleges in the US. I'm wondering if I can apply for financial aid as an international student, and if so, what's the process l …

Hey guys! I'm curious about how important standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) are in the college admissions process. Do they carry a lot of weight or are other factors more important? Thanks for any in …

Hey everyone! I'm a homeschooled junior and I'm wondering how colleges view applicants like me. Are there any specific things I should focus on or be aware of during the application process? Thanks fo …

Hello! I'm a high school junior and I've started researching the college application process. I know that Early Decision can be a great way to show your commitment to a school, but I'm wondering if I …

Hi everyone! So, my freshman and sophomore years weren't the best in terms of GPA, but I've been working hard and improving. I'm curious how colleges view this upward trend when evaluating application …

Hey everyone! I'm a junior and I'm already feeling stressed about balancing my schoolwork and the college application process next year. How did you guys manage both without getting overwhelmed? Any t …

Hi all, I'm a junior in high school, and I've been researching different college application platforms, like the Common App, Coalition App, and individual college applications. I'm not sure which one …

Hi there! I'm a junior, and I have a few colleges that I'm extremely interested in. Is it possible to apply to more than one school through Early Decision? Thanks for your help!

Hi there! I'm a junior and starting to think about letters of recommendation for college applications. How should I go about asking teachers for letters? What's the best way to approach them, and when …

Hi collegevine, I've taken several AP and honors courses throughout high school, and I've maintained a pretty good GPA. However, I'm worried that colleges might not take the rigor of my coursework int …

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I've been thinking about where I want to live when I go to college. I know that some students live on campus, while others live off campus, but I'm not sure which option is …

Hi everyone, I'm a high school junior and I've been stressing about standardized tests like the SAT and ACT. What role do these tests play in college admissions, and how important are they compared to …

Hello! I recently took the ACT and received a score of 28. I'm not super thrilled with my score and I'm considering retaking it. Is it worth retaking, or should I focus on other aspects of my college …

Hey! I'm considering applying to both in-state and out-of-state colleges, but I'm not sure how to weigh the pros and cons of each. What factors should I consider when deciding between in-state and out …

Hi everyone! I'm a high school junior and I recently got my SAT/ACT scores back. While my scores are decent, I think I could do better. Should I retake the test to try and improve my scores, or should …

Hello! As a high school junior, I'm starting to think about my college essays and I really want to make an impression on the admissions officers. I know that a unique and well-written essay can make a …

Hello everyone! I'm a junior and I'm planning to attend a college fair soon. What are some good questions I should ask the college representatives? I want to make the most of my time there. Thanks for …

Hi all, I'm a junior and I'm curious about how college waitlists work. How do colleges decide who to take off the waitlist, and what can I do to increase my chances of getting off the waitlist if I en …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I've been stressing about picking a major before applying to college. Is it necessary to have a major decided beforehand, or can I figure it out once I'm enrolled? Any ad …

Hello everyone! I'm a junior and I recently took the SAT/ACT, but I'm not thrilled with my score. Should I retake the test, or focus on other aspects of my application? How many times is it acceptable …