CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hi everyone, I'm a high school junior and I'm trying to get a better understanding of what colleges look for in applicants. Besides grades and test scores, what other factors do colleges consider when …

Hello everyone! I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about my Common App essay. What are some tips for writing a strong essay that will resonate with admissions officers? Any resources or advice wou …

Hi everyone! I'm a little stressed about my SAT scores. I've taken it twice, but I'm not satisfied with my results. Is it frowned upon by colleges if I take it a third time? I'm worried that it might …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior, and I'm having a hard time deciding on a major. I was wondering if it's possible to apply to different colleges with different majors? Or should I just choose one and stick …

Hey there! I've been taking AP classes and I'm wondering how much colleges care about the actual AP test scores. Are they important in the admissions process? Thanks for any advice!

Hello! I've heard mixed opinions about the importance of letters of recommendation. How important are they really in the college admissions process? Should I be stressing about getting good ones? Than …

Hi! I'm a high school junior trying to plan my senior year schedule. I'm wondering if it's better to take a more challenging course load (with the possibility of a lower GPA) or to maintain a high GPA …

Hey CollegeVine community! I've heard that some colleges offer interviews as part of the application process. How important are these interviews, and do they really make a difference in the admissions …

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I'm curious about how colleges weigh the rigor of classes when looking at applications. I've taken a mix of honors and AP classes, but I'm not sure if that's enough. Should …

Hi everyone, I'm trying to decide if I should take harder classes and risk getting lower grades, or stick with easier classes and maintain a high GPA. What do colleges value more: a high GPA or a chal …

Hi, I'm a junior at a small high school that doesn't offer many AP classes. Is it still worth it for me to take the few that are available, or should I focus on other things like extracurriculars to s …

Hello everyone, I'm a junior and I'm starting to research college application platforms like the Common App, Coalition App, and individual college applications. I'm not sure which one is the best to u …

Hi everyone! As a high school junior, I want to be as prepared as possible for the college application process. Are there any steps or resources you recommend for me to utilize in order to be more pre …

Hello! I'm a high school junior and I have a dream school in mind. I was wondering if applying Early Decision would increase my chances of getting accepted? I've heard mixed opinions on this and I'm a …

Hey there, I'm a junior, and I'm worried about not getting into my dream school. I know it's a competitive process, and I want to be prepared for the possibility of not getting in. What should I do if …

Hi guys! I've heard mixed opinions on this, and I'm curious how important senior year grades are in the college application process. Do colleges put a lot of emphasis on senior year performance, or ar …

Hey everyone, I'm a junior who's starting to get a little stressed about applying to college next year. For those who have already gone through the process, what do you wish you knew before you starte …

Hey! I'm planning on taking some community college courses while I'm still in high school. Will colleges view these courses as rigorous as AP or IB classes? Do they look positively on students who tak …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I've been studying for the SAT and ACT, but I'm not sure how much these scores actually matter in the grand scheme of things. Can a strong application make up for a lower …

Hey there! I'm currently a junior and I'm trying to plan my senior year schedule. I want to be competitive for top colleges, but I'm not sure how many AP classes I should take. What's a reasonable num …