Explore our collection of admissions FAQs. Each answer is expert-approved by our team to help you reach your goals.
Hi everyone! I've heard a lot about the Common App, but I'm not exactly sure what it is or how it works. Can someone explain it to me, and is it something I should be using when I apply to colleges? T …
Hello! I've been considering taking a gap year before college, but I'm concerned about how it will affect my chances of getting into my dream school. Do colleges view gap years positively or negativel …
Hey guys, I'm struggling to decide on a major for my college applications. I have a few interests, but I'm not sure which one I should focus on or how it might impact my chances of being accepted. Any …
Hi there, I'm starting to research colleges and their financial aid packages. I'm not sure what factors I should be considering when looking at the different offers. Can anyone give me some advice on …
Hey everyone! I was just wondering, how much weight do colleges put on extracurricular activities when reviewing applications? I'm a junior and I've been involved in several clubs and sports, but I'm …
Hi everyone! I'm a high school junior, and I've been thinking about who to ask for letters of recommendation. How much weight do colleges put on these letters, and what should I look for in a teacher …
Hello! I'm a high school junior, and I've been wondering if colleges care about my freshman year grades. I didn't do as well as I would have liked, but I've improved significantly since then. Will my …
Hey there! I've been researching colleges and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the options. How did you guys decide which college was the right fit for you? Any advice would be super helpful!
Hey all, I'm a high school junior, and I'm a little bit stressed about my standardized test scores. I'm just wondering how important SAT/ACT scores are in the college admissions process. CollegeVine, …
Hi, I'm a junior and I'm starting to work on my college essay. I want to make sure it's the best it can be, so I'm wondering what common mistakes I should avoid. Can anyone provide some guidance? Than …
Hi all, I'm a junior and I'm really interested in getting involved in research before I go to college. I'm not sure how to find opportunities or reach out to professors. Can anyone give me some advice …
Hi friends! I'm a junior and I'm starting to create my college list. I'm having trouble figuring out which colleges would be the best fit for me. How did you guys decide on the right college for you? …
Hey guys, I'm a junior and I've been thinking about who to ask for letters of recommendation. How important are these letters in the overall college application process? And does anyone have tips for …
Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I want to make sure my college applications stand out. I have good grades and extracurriculars, but I'm worried it's not enough. What can I do to make my application mor …
Hi there, I'm a junior and I've heard conflicting information about the SAT and ACT. Do I need to take both tests for college admissions, or is it okay to just take one of them? Which one do colleges …
Hey collegevine community! I'm a junior in high school and I've been wondering about how important my class rank is when it comes to college admissions. Does my class rank play a big role in the admis …
Hi everyone! I'm a junior in high school and I'm trying to decide which colleges to apply to. I've been considering both public and private schools, but I'm not sure if I can apply to both types. Is i …
Hey guys, I'm a junior and I know that paying for college can be expensive, so I want to start looking for scholarships. I'm not sure when the best time to start searching is, or where to find them. C …
Hi everyone! I'm a junior, and I'm starting to feel overwhelmed with school, extracurricular activities, and thinking about college applications. How do you manage to balance everything and still find …
Hey everyone, I'm a junior in high school and I'm curious about how much the college I attend will affect my future success. Is it worth it to aim for prestigious schools, or will I be just as success …