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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 does the Common App work?

Hi guys! I'm a junior and I've heard a lot about the Common App. How does it work and what are the benefits of using it? Can I apply to all of my colleges through the Common App? Thanks for any inform …

a year ago

Should I submit an art portfolio with my college applications?

Hi, I'm a junior in high school, and I'm really passionate about art. I've been considering submitting an art portfolio with my college applications, even though I'm not planning on majoring in art. W …

a year ago

What are the benefits of attending a community college before transferring to a four-year school?

Hi! I'm a junior, and I've heard that some students choose to attend a community college before transferring to a four-year school. What are the benefits of this path, and how would it impact my colle …

a year ago

How much do demonstrated interest and campus visits matter?

Hey, guys! I've heard that showing demonstrated interest and visiting colleges can help with admissions. Is this true? How important are these factors? Thanks for any advice!

a year ago

How can I decide between two potential majors?

Hello, I'm a junior and I'm struggling to decide between two potential majors for college. I'm interested in both subjects, but I'm not sure how to choose the one that's right for me. Can anyone provi …

a year ago

What should I consider when selecting a safety school?

Hello! I'm a junior and I'm working on my college list. I know it's important to have a safety school, but I'm not sure what factors to consider when selecting one. Can anyone give me some advice on w …

a year ago

Choosing the right college: How important are college rankings?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior who's just starting the college search process, and I've been looking at various college rankings (like US News and Forbes). I'm not sure how much weight I should give to the …

a year ago

What should I know about applying to college as a first-generation student?

Hello everyone! I'm a junior and I will be the first person in my family to attend college. What should I know about the college application process as a first-generation student? Are there any resour …

a year ago

How do I choose a major when applying to college?

Hello! I'm a high school junior and I'm starting to think about the college application process. I know that choosing a major can be important, but I'm not quite sure what I want to study yet. How do …

a year ago

Should I take the SAT or the ACT?

Hi all, I'm a junior and I'm planning on taking either the SAT or ACT, but I'm not sure which one. I've heard that colleges don't really have a preference, but I want to make sure I choose the one tha …

a year ago

How to balance extracurriculars and academics?

Hi everyone, I'm a high school junior struggling to balance my extracurriculars and academics. I want to do well in both, but I'm finding it difficult. Any tips on how to manage my time effectively? T …

a year ago

Should I apply to test-optional colleges?

Hello! I've noticed that many colleges have gone test-optional recently. Should I apply to test-optional colleges if I don't have great test scores? How do admissions officers evaluate applicants at t …

a year ago

What are the most important factors in a college's decision to admit a student?

Hi all, I'm a junior and I'm starting to prepare for my college applications. I'm curious about what factors are most important to colleges when they decide whether to admit a student or not. Is it ma …

a year ago

How can I improve my standardized test scores for college applications?

Hi all, I've taken the SAT a couple of times and I'm not quite happy with my scores. I really want to improve them for my college applications. What are some effective strategies or resources for stud …

a year ago

Do colleges look at senior year grades?

Hey guys, I'm a high school junior and I've been wondering if colleges look at senior year grades when making admissions decisions. I've heard mixed opinions on this, so I'm not sure what to believe. …

a year ago

How can I make my personal statement stand out?

Hey guys, I'm starting to think about my college essays and I want to make sure my personal statement really stands out. What types of topics or writing styles have you found to be successful? Thanks …

a year ago

What do top-tier colleges look for in an applicant?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior in high school, and I've been looking into applying to some of the top colleges in the country. I've been wondering, what are some key factors that these colleges look for i …

a year ago

Is it better to take a rigorous course load or maintain a high GPA?

Hi everyone, I'm a bit torn between taking challenging courses and maintaining a high GPA. I've heard that colleges like to see a rigorous course load, but I'm worried that taking too many difficult c …

a year ago

What should I know about submitting an arts supplement?

Hey everyone, I'm a high school junior and I'm passionate about the arts. I've heard that some colleges accept arts supplements as part of the application process, but I'm not sure how to go about sub …

a year ago

How important is my class rank for college admissions?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I was wondering how important my class rank is for college admissions. Should I be concerned if I'm not in the top 10% of my class? How much weight do colleges place on c …

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.