CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hi guys! I'm a high school junior, and I'm wondering if it's necessary to go on college tours. I've been researching colleges online, but I'm not sure if I should make the effort to visit in person. H …

Hey, I'm a junior in high school and I'm trying to decide whether I should take more AP classes next year or focus on maintaining a high GPA. Which one do colleges value more? Thanks for any advice!

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I'm wondering how important it is to visit colleges before applying. Is it worth the time and effort, or can I get a good sense of a school without visiting?

Hey everyone! I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed trying to balance my school work, extracurriculars, and college applications. How do you guys manage your time and stay organized during this process? Any t …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I want to start reaching out to admissions officers at the colleges I'm interested in. What's the best way to communicate with them and ask questions without coming acros …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I've been thinking about teacher recommendations for my college applications. How should I go about asking my teachers for recommendations, and are there any specific gui …

Hey guys! I'm a junior and I'm wondering how important AP classes are for college admissions. I've taken a few, but I'm not sure if I should take more. Do colleges really care about the number of AP c …

Hey there, I'm a junior and I've noticed that a lot of colleges are going test-optional. Are standardized test scores still important in the college admissions process, or should I focus on other part …

Hi everyone! I've heard a lot about the Common App and I'm considering using it for my college applications. What are the benefits of applying through the Common App and is it a good option for me? Th …

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I'm wondering how many extracurriculars I should have on my college applications. Is there a certain number that colleges look for, or is it more about quality over quantity …

Hello, everyone! I've read that some college admissions officers look for a 'spike' or a specific talent/interest in applicants. I have a variety of interests but don't really have a standout skill. W …

Hi there! I'm a high school junior getting ready to start working on my college application essays. I'm not sure what to write about or what colleges are looking for in these essays. Can anyone give m …

Hi all! I'm a junior and I'm interested in showing my top choice college that I'm really excited about the possibility of attending. However, I'm unable to visit the campus. What are some other ways I …

Hey guys, I faced some challenges during high school that affected my grades and extracurricular involvement. How can I explain these obstacles to colleges during the application process without sound …

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I've heard that some colleges might look at applicants' social media profiles during the admissions process. Is this true, and if so, what should I be aware of when it c …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I'm trying to decide on my classes for next year. I want to challenge myself, but I'm worried that if I take harder classes, my grades might suffer. Do colleges prefer to …

Hi all, I recently took the SAT/ACT and I'm not satisfied with my scores. Should I retake the test to try and get a better score, or should I focus on other aspects of my college applications? Thanks …

Hello, I'm a junior and I want to create an activities resume to showcase my extracurricular involvement and achievements. What should I include in this resume, and how should I format it? Thanks in a …

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I've been researching financial aid for college. Should I still apply for financial aid even if I don't think I'll qualify? Is there any harm in applying? Thanks for any …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I'm currently taking a few AP classes. I'm wondering how much AP scores matter in the college application process. Should I be worried if I don't get a 5 on all of my exa …