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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.


Can I obtain a student loan with a low GPA?

Hey everyone, I'm worried about financing my college education since my GPA is not the best. Can I still qualify for student loans with a lower GPA? If so, what are the requirements for applying? Any …

a year ago

How can I best manage my time during the college application process?

Hi guys, I'm a junior and I'm already feeling overwhelmed by the thought of applying to college. How did you manage your time during the application process to stay on track and not get too stressed? …

a year ago

How do I choose between attending a community college or a four-year university?

Hello, I'm a junior, and I'm trying to decide whether to attend a community college or a four-year university after high school. What are the pros and cons of each option, and what factors should I co …

a year ago

Why isn't MIT counted as an Ivy League institution?

Hey all, I'm curious as to why MIT, which is a prestigious institution, isn't considered part of the Ivy League despite its academic excellence. Is it because of the specific area of focus or some oth …

a year ago

How to improve critical reading and writing scores for the SAT?

Hello! I recently took a practice SAT and I noticed my critical reading and writing scores were lower than my math score. These sections are pretty important for the major I want to pursue (English). …

a year ago

Do colleges prefer ACT or SAT?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior wondering if colleges have a preference between ACT and SAT scores. Should I focus on one more than the other? What's been your experience with this? Thanks!

a year ago

How helpful are summer programs in the college admissions process?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I've been looking into summer programs at colleges related to my potential major (biology). However, they're quite expensive, and I'm not sure if they would significantly …

a year ago

What are the most important factors to consider when choosing a college major?

Hey guys! I'm a junior in high school and starting to think about potential college majors. What factors should I consider when making this decision? How can I make sure I choose a major that's right …

a year ago

Is a 1490 SAT score strong enough for Ivy League schools?

Hey guys, I recently got a 1490 on the SAT and I'm wondering if that's considered a strong score for Ivy League admissions. Should I be satisfied with this or consider retaking the test for a higher s …

a year ago

Do I need to explain a low GPA in my college application?

Hi all! I'm a junior, and my GPA isn't as high as I'd like it to be. I've faced some personal challenges that have affected my grades, and I'm wondering if I should explain this in my college applicat …

a year ago

What are the best ways to research colleges?

Hey everyone, I've just started looking into different colleges, and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. Can you share your best tips or resources for researching colleges so that I can find the schools …

a year ago

How does major selection impact admissions?

I've heard that certain majors are more competitive than others at some schools. Is it true? Are my chances of being admitted better if I choose a less popular major, or is that just a myth?

a year ago

Seeking advice: Applying for engineering programs with average test scores?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior interested in applying to engineering programs at Georgia Tech, Michigan, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Sadly, my SAT scores are quite average which is making …

a year ago

Can low-income students afford top-tier colleges?

Hello! I'm a high school junior from a low-income background, and I'm worried about the cost of attending a top-tier college. I know that these schools often offer generous financial aid packages, but …

a year ago

Should I write about a personal struggle for my college essay?

Hey everyone, I'm starting to work on my college essays and I'm considering writing about a personal struggle I've been through. However, I'm worried it might come across as too negative or oversharin …

a year ago

How important is class rank in the admissions process?

Hello everyone! I'm a junior with a decent GPA (3.7) but my class rank is not that great (top 25%). I'm wondering how much this will hurt my chances of getting accepted into competitive colleges. Do c …

a year ago

Is college confidential accurate?

I've been browsing College Confidential recently and have seen a lot of different opinions on admissions chances, extracurriculars, and essays. How accurate and helpful is this information? Should I b …

a year ago

What's the best way to get strong letters of recommendation?

Hi there! I know that letters of recommendation are an important part of college applications, but I'm not sure how to go about getting strong ones from my teachers. Do you have any tips on how to bui …

a year ago

How do I write a college essay about a difficult experience?

I want to write about a challenging experience I went through, but I'm worried it might come across as too negative. How can I write about this in a way that shows my growth and resilience? Thanks for …

a year ago

What do colleges look for in your Social Media presence?

I've heard that colleges sometimes look at your social media profiles during the admissions process. I'm a bit concerned because I don't post much online, but when I do, it's mainly just silly stuff m …

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.