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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 can I demonstrate leadership in my college applications?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior and I've heard that demonstrating leadership is important for college applications. I've held some leadership positions in school clubs, but I'm not sure if that's enough. W …

a year ago

How do I know if a college is a good fit for me academically?

Hey everyone! I've been researching colleges and I'm trying to figure out if a certain college would be a good fit for me academically. What should I be looking for in terms of academics and resources …

a year ago

What should I do if I'm waitlisted at my dream school?

Hello! I'm a junior, and I'm starting to think about the possibility of being waitlisted at my dream school. I know it's not guaranteed, but I want to be prepared just in case. What should I do if I e …

a year ago

Does applying early decision improve my chances?

Hey everyone, I'm considering applying early decision to my dream school, but I'm unsure if it'll increase my chances of getting in. Can someone provide some insight? Thanks in advance!

a year ago

What role does financial aid play in the admissions process?

Hey everyone! I'm a high school junior, and I have some concerns about how financial aid might affect my chances of getting into college. Does applying for financial aid negatively impact my admission …

a year ago

Is it better to take more AP classes or have a higher GPA?

Hi collegevine! Junior here, and I'm trying to plan out my senior year schedule. I'm not sure if I should take more AP classes to challenge myself, even if it means my GPA might drop a bit, or if I sh …

a year ago

How do I decide between a liberal arts college and a research university?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior who's trying to decide between applying to liberal arts colleges and research universities. I know there are pros and cons to both, but I'm not sure which type of school woul …

a year ago

How do I choose a safety, target, and reach school?

Hey everyone! I'm a high school junior and starting to put together my college list. I'm struggling to determine which schools should be considered safety, target, and reach schools. Can anyone offer …

a year ago

When should I submit my college applications?

Hey all, I'm a junior and I'm wondering when the best time is to submit my college applications. Should I submit them as early as possible, or is it better to wait until closer to the deadline? Thanks …

a year ago

How do I choose a college that's the right fit academically and socially?

I want to make sure I choose a college that's a good fit for me both academically and socially. What factors should I consider when making my decision? Thanks for any advice!

a year ago

Are summer programs important for college applications?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I've been looking into summer programs to help boost my college applications. Are these programs actually important, or should I focus on other activities during the summ …

a year ago

Do I need to know my major before applying to college?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I'm starting to stress about the college application process. One thing I'm not sure about is whether I need to know my major before applying. What do you think? Is it okay …

a year ago

Can someone help me understand the importance of the 'Why us?' essay?

Hey everyone! I've been working on my college essays, and I keep hearing about the 'Why us?' essay. I'm a bit confused about why it's so important, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on how to make mi …

a year ago

What are colleges looking for in a student?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior in high school and I'm trying to figure out what colleges are looking for in their applicants. What qualities and experiences do you think make someone stand out to admission …

a year ago

How do I research colleges that I can't visit in person?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I'm starting to research colleges, but I'm unable to visit many of them in person. What are some other ways I can get a feel for the campus and the overall vibe of the sc …

a year ago

What are some good extracurricular activities for a pre-med student?

Hey all! I'm a junior who wants to go into medicine and I'm looking for some extracurricular activities that can help me stand out in the college admissions process. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance …

a year ago

Will taking a gap year affect my college admissions chances?

Hello! I'm a junior in high school, and I've been considering taking a gap year after graduation. Will this negatively impact my chances of getting into college? What should I do during my gap year to …

a year ago

What factors should I consider when comparing financial aid packages?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about how I'll pay for college. I know that financial aid packages can vary widely, but I'm not sure what factors I should consider when comparing t …

a year ago

Can a strong essay make up for lower test scores?

Hi everyone! I'm a high school junior, and I'm a bit stressed about my standardized test scores. If I write a strong essay, can it make up for lower test scores? How much of an impact does the essay h …

a year ago

How do I decide between a small liberal arts college and a large university?

Hello collegevine, I'm a junior in high school and I'm starting to research different types of colleges. I'm not sure if I should focus on small liberal arts colleges or larger universities. What are …

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.