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CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


Which standardized test should I take, the SAT or ACT?

Hi everyone! I'm currently a high school junior and I'm wondering whether I should take the SAT or ACT. I've heard different opinions on which one is better. Can someone please give me some advice? Th …

a year ago

What should I write about in my personal statement?

Hey guys, so I'm starting to work on my college applications and I'm kind of stuck on what to write about in my personal statement. I want it to be unique and something that will make me stand out fro …

a year ago

How do I know if a college is need-blind?

Hey guys, I'm researching colleges and trying to figure out which ones are need-blind. Is there a specific way to determine if a college is need-blind, and how important is this factor when applying t …

a year ago

When should I start asking for recommendation letters?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I know that we need to get recommendation letters from our teachers for college applications. When is the best time to start asking for these? I don't want to wait too lo …

a year ago

How do I show leadership in my extracurricular activities?

Hello everyone, I've heard that showing leadership in extracurricular activities is important for college applications. What are some ways that I can demonstrate leadership in my activities? Is it nec …

a year ago

What factors do colleges consider when offering financial aid?

Hey there! I am a junior starting to research college options and I'm concerned about financial aid. My family's financial situation isn't great, but I'm not sure if we'll qualify for much aid. What f …

a year ago

How to make the most out of virtual college fairs?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I've been attending virtual college fairs due to the pandemic. However, I'm not sure if I'm making the most out of these events. What are some effective strategies for getti …

a year ago

How do I find the right balance between reach, target, and safety schools?

Hello! As a junior, I'm starting to create my college list and I want to make sure I have a good balance of reach, target, and safety schools. How many of each should I apply to? Any tips on finding t …

a year ago

How to decide which standardized tests to take?

Hi there! I'm a junior and I'm trying to figure out which standardized tests I should take – the SAT, the ACT, or both. How did you decide which test(s) to take, and what factors should I consider whe …

a year ago

Can anyone share their experience with applying Early Decision?

Hi everyone! I'm considering applying Early Decision to my top choice school, but I'm unsure about the pros and cons of this decision. I'd love to hear from people who have gone through the process th …

a year ago

Should I retake the SAT/ACT if my score is average?

Hey guys, I recently took the SAT/ACT and my score is pretty average. I'm wondering if it's worth it to retake the test in hopes of improving my score, or if I should focus on other aspects of my appl …

a year ago

How do I write a strong letter of recommendation request?

Hello, I'm a junior and I need to ask some teachers for letters of recommendation soon. What's the best way to approach them and how can I ensure they write strong letters for me? Thanks for your help …

a year ago

How do I choose between multiple acceptances?

Hi all! I know this is a bit early, but I'm already stressed about the idea of having to choose between multiple college acceptances. How do I weigh the pros and cons of each school and make a decisio …

a year ago

What is the most important factor in college admissions?

Hi, I've been hearing a lot of conflicting information about what colleges value most in their applicants. Is there one factor that stands out above the rest? Thanks for any insight you can provide!

a year ago

How much do standardized test scores matter?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior, and I'm starting to stress about my SAT and ACT scores. I've been hearing mixed opinions about how much these scores actually matter for college admissions. Can anyone give …

a year ago

Do colleges care about the rigor of my senior year schedule?

Hello, I'm a junior in high school and I'm in the process of selecting my courses for senior year. I've heard that colleges care about the rigor of your schedule, but I'm not sure if that applies to s …

a year ago

How do I decide if a college is the right fit for me?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior in high school and I'm starting to research colleges. How did you guys decide which colleges were the right fit for you, and do you have any tips or advice for finding the pe …

a year ago

What is the difference between the FAFSA and the CSS Profile?

Hey collegevine! I'm a junior, and I've been hearing about the FAFSA and CSS Profile for financial aid. What is the difference between these two forms, and do I need to complete both? When should I st …

a year ago

Will a part-time job help or hurt my college application?

Hey guys, I've been working a part-time job throughout high school to help pay for college. I'm worried that this might have taken away from my ability to participate in more extracurricular activitie …

a year ago

How can I balance schoolwork and extracurriculars during junior year?

Hey there! My junior year is already proving to be quite busy, and I'm struggling to balance my schoolwork with my extracurricular activities. Any tips on how to manage my time effectively and stay on …

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.