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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 do I get a strong letter of recommendation?

Hi all, I'm a high school junior and I'll be asking for letters of recommendation soon. What should I do to ensure that I receive strong letters from my teachers? Are there any specific things I shoul …

2 years ago

Is it worth spending money on a summer pre-college program?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior stressed about college applications and looking for ways to strengthen my application. I've been thinking about attending a summer pre-college program, but they're really ex …

2 years ago

How do I explain a gap in my extracurricular activities?

Hello everyone, I'm a junior and I had to take a break from extracurricular activities for a while due to personal reasons. How can I explain this gap in my college applications? Will it hurt my chanc …

2 years ago

What are some good safety, match, and reach schools?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I'm starting to work on my college list. I want to make sure I have a good balance of safety, match, and reach schools, but I'm not exactly sure which schools fall into e …

2 years ago

Do colleges care about AP test scores?

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!

2 years ago

How do colleges evaluate homeschooled applicants?

Hi! I've been homeschooled throughout high school, and I'm wondering how colleges evaluate homeschooled applicants. Are there any specific things they look for? Do I need to provide additional materia …

2 years ago

How can I connect with an admissions counselor?

I'm feeling a bit lost and overwhelmed with the college application process, and I think talking to an admissions counselor might help. But I'm not sure how to reach out to them or what the best way i …

2 years ago

AP vs IB? Which one looks better for college apps?

Hello fellow students! I am currently considering whether to pursue AP or IB courses in high school, but I'm unsure which one would be more beneficial for my college applications. Could anyone please …

2 years ago

How do I show leadership in my extracurricular activities?

Hello everyone, I've heard that showing leadership in extracurricular activities is important for college applications. What are some ways that I can demonstrate leadership in my activities? Is it nec …

2 years ago

How hard is it to get into 3-2 engineering dual degree programs?

Hey guys, I just found out about 3-2 engineering dual degree programs where you go to one school for 3 years and another for 2 years, getting degrees from both. I really want to go to Notre Dame, but …

2 years ago

Is it worth applying to colleges Early Decision?

Hi guys! I'm currently a junior and I'm considering applying Early Decision to my top choice college. Is it worth applying early, or should I wait for the regular decision deadline? What are the pros …

2 years ago

Do colleges really look at your social media accounts?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I've heard some rumors that colleges might look at your social media accounts during the admissions process. Is this true, and if so, should I be worried about what I post o …

2 years ago

How do I decide which colleges to apply to?

Hi there! I'm a junior and I've been researching colleges, but I'm struggling to narrow down my list. How did you guys decide which schools to apply to? Any advice would be appreciated!

2 years ago

How can I make my application stand out for highly selective schools?

Hey guys! I'm a junior aiming for top colleges like the Ivies, and I'm wondering what I can do to make my application stand out. I have strong academics and extracurriculars, but I know the competitio …

2 years ago

How do I balance schoolwork and college applications?

Hi all! I'm a junior and I'm starting to feel a bit stressed about balancing my schoolwork and college applications next year. What are some tips for managing my time and staying on top of everything? …

2 years ago

How important are extracurricular activities for college admissions?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior in high school and I've been wondering how much weight extracurricular activities hold in the college admissions process. I've been involved in a few clubs and volunteer act …

2 years ago

Is it better to have a high GPA with easier classes or a lower GPA with more challenging classes?

Hello! So, I'm a junior right now and I've been taking quite a few challenging classes throughout high school. My GPA is decent but not amazing. I'm worried that colleges might prefer a higher GPA wit …

2 years ago

How to write a strong letter of continued interest?

Hello! I'm a junior, and I've heard that if I get deferred from a college, I might need to write a letter of continued interest. Can someone explain what that is and how to write a strong one? Thanks!

2 years ago

How do I find the best college for my intended major?

Hello! I'm a junior, and I'm trying to find the best college for my intended major. What factors should I consider when evaluating a college's program for my major? Any advice would be extremely helpf …

2 years ago

What should I include in my college portfolio?

Hey there, I'm a junior interested in applying to art schools, and I'm working on my college portfolio. What types of pieces should I include to showcase my skills and creativity? Any advice would be …

2 years 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.