CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hi everyone! I'm a junior, and I want to make sure I'm focusing on the right things this year to prepare for college applications. What should be my top priority to maximize my chances of getting into …

Hey everyone! I'm a junior in high school, and I'm starting to think about my college essays. I'm struggling to choose a topic that will showcase my personality and make me stand out. Does anyone have …

Hey everyone! I'm a junior, and I'm starting to think about whether I should apply to public or private colleges. I'm not sure what the main differences are and which type of college would be best for …

Hello everyone, I'm currently looking at colleges both in-state and out-of-state. When considering potential out-of-state schools, what factors should I be keeping in mind? I want to make sure I'm not …

Hi everyone! I'm a high school junior, and I'm struggling to balance my schoolwork with my extracurricular activities. I want to do well in both areas, but it's becoming overwhelming. Any advice on ho …

Hello! I'm currently a junior in high school, and I know that the college essay is a really important part of the application process. I'm a little bit stressed about writing it, so I was wondering if …

Hi, I've been practicing yoga for a few years now and recently started teaching classes at my local studio. Can I list yoga as an extracurricular activity when applying to colleges? Thanks for the hel …

Hi all, I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about financial aid for college. I'm not sure whether I should focus on applying for need-based or merit-based aid. How do I decide which one is right fo …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior, and I'm wondering how much colleges value AP courses in the admissions process. I've taken a few AP classes, but I'm not sure if I should take more to improve my chances of …

Hey guys, I'm working on my essay and I've noticed that I've used quite a few contractions. I think it makes the essay sound more conversational and genuine, but I'm worried it might come off as too i …

Hey guys! I'm a junior, and I've heard that some colleges offer alumni interviews as part of the application process. How do I go about requesting an interview, and what should I expect during the int …

Hey there! I have a passion for both STEM and humanities subjects, and I'm hoping to find colleges that have strong programs in both areas. Can any of you recommend some schools that fit this descript …

Hi guys, I'm a little stressed about the whole college application process. I was wondering how long it usually takes to write a good college essay? I want to make sure I give myself enough time to pe …

Hi guys! I'm getting ready to start working on my college essays, and I'm feeling a bit stressed about making my personal statement stand out. Do you have any tips or advice for writing a strong perso …

Hey all! I have a part-time job, and I was wondering if that counts as an extracurricular activity in my college applications? Thanks for any advice!

I'm asking for letters of recommendation soon, and I wanted to know what qualities admission officers are seeking in these letters. What should I tell my teachers to highlight when they write their re …

Hey everyone! I'm thinking about applying to some colleges through early action, and others through regular decision. Do I need to write separate essays for each application type or can I use the same …

Hello! I'm starting to work on my college resume, and I want to make sure it's as strong as possible. What are some tips for building a strong resume, and what should I include to make sure I'm showca …

Hey everyone! I'm a high school junior, and I've been thinking about how to make the most of my summer before senior year. I want to use my time wisely to prepare for college applications and improve …

Hi there! I'm trying to put together a list of colleges to apply to, but there are so many options that it feels a little overwhelming. What factors should I consider when narrowing down my list and d …