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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.


How do I choose between a large public university and a small private college?

Hey everyone! I'm trying to decide whether to apply to a large public university or a small private college. What are the pros and cons of each and what factors should I consider when making this deci …

a year ago

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

Hey everyone, I'm researching colleges and financial aid, and I've come across the terms need-blind and need-aware. I'm not exactly sure what these terms mean, and I'm wondering how I can find out if …

a year ago

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

Hey guys! I recently took the SAT/ACT and got a decent score, but I'm wondering if I should retake it to try and get an even better score. Is it worth the time and effort? Will it make a significant d …

a year ago

How do I decide which colleges to apply for financial aid?

Hey guys! I'm a high school junior, and I know I'll need financial aid for college. I'm not sure how to decide which colleges to apply for aid, though. What factors should I consider when making this …

a year ago

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

Hello everyone! I'm a junior and starting to feel overwhelmed with schoolwork, extracurriculars, and now the college application process. Does anyone have tips on how to manage all of these responsibi …

a year ago

Financial Aid: How do I navigate this process?

Hey everyone, I'm a high school junior and I'm starting to look into financial aid options for college. The whole process seems really confusing, and I'm not sure where to start. Can anyone give me so …

a year ago

How do colleges view AP classes when considering applications?

Hey everyone! I'm a high school junior and I'm curious about how colleges view AP classes when considering applications. I've taken a few AP classes, but I'm not sure if that's enough or if I should t …

a year ago

How important is having a 'spike' or a focused passion in the college admissions process?

Hi all! I'm a high school junior and I've been reading about the importance of having a 'spike' or a focused passion in the college admissions process. I have a variety of interests but I'm not sure i …

a year ago

Should I retake the SAT if my score is just below my target schools' average?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I recently took the SAT but my score is just below the average for some of my target schools. I'm wondering if I should retake the SAT or focus on other aspects of my co …

a year ago

Can I apply for financial aid after submitting my applications?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I'm trying to figure out the financial aid process. Is it possible to apply for financial aid after submitting my college applications, or do I need to do it at the same …

a year ago

What are some tips for writing a strong personal statement?

Hey guys, I'm starting to think about my college essays and I want to make sure I write a strong personal statement. What are some tips or advice you have for making my essay stand out? Any help would …

a year ago

How do I balance my college list with reach, target, and safety schools?

Hi everyone, I'm working on my college list and I'm not sure how to balance my reach, target, and safety schools. How many of each type of school should I apply to? Any advice or personal experiences …

a year ago

How do I get a strong letter of recommendation?

Hi all, I'm a high school junior and I'll be asking for letters of recommendation soon. What should I do to ensure that I receive strong letters from my teachers? Are there any specific things I shoul …

a year ago

Has anyone had any success with using CollegeVine's essay review service?

I'm a little bit stressed about my college essays and was considering using CollegeVine's essay review service. Has anyone here used it before? If so, was it helpful? Thanks for sharing your experienc …

a year ago

When should I start visiting college campuses?

Hello! I'm a junior, and I've been thinking about visiting some college campuses to get a feel for the schools I'm interested in. When is the best time to start these visits, and how can I make the mo …

a year ago

How do colleges view online classes on my transcript?

Hello! I'm a junior in high school, and I've taken a few online classes to supplement my regular coursework. I was wondering how colleges view these online courses on my transcript? Will they be consi …

a year ago

What do colleges look for in extracurricular activities?

Hello everyone! I'm working on my college applications and I'm curious what colleges are looking for in terms of extracurricular activities. Is it better to have a lot of different activities or to be …

a year ago

How do I stand out in the application process?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about applying to college. I know that it's really competitive, especially for top-tier schools. What can I do to stand out in the application proc …

a year ago

Any tips for crafting a memorable college essay?

Hi everyone, I'm a high school junior, and I've been starting to think about my college essays. I want to make sure they stand out and showcase who I am, but I'm not sure where to begin. Does anyone h …

a year ago

What factors should I consider when choosing which colleges to apply to?

Hello everyone! I'm a junior starting to create my college list, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the options. What factors should I consider when deciding which colleges to apply to? How di …

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.