CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I recently took the SAT/ACT for the first time. My score is pretty good, but I think I might be able to do better if I retake it. Is it worth trying to improve my score, …

Hi everyone! I'm a high school junior, and I'm trying to decide on my course load for senior year. Is it better to take a lighter course load and get higher grades, or should I challenge myself with h …

Hi! I'm a high school junior and I've heard that scholarships can be a great way to help pay for college. However, I also know that applying for them can be time-consuming. Is it really worth it to sp …

Hello! I've heard that demonstrated interest can be a factor in college admissions, but I'm not sure how much it matters. Is it really important to visit campuses, attend college fairs, and reach out …

Hey guys, I'm a junior, and I've been wondering how much the rigor of my high school schedule matters for college admissions. I've taken a mix of regular, honors, and AP classes. Will this be enough f …

Hi everyone! I recently took the SAT/ACT, and my score wasn't quite what I was hoping for. Should I retake the test to try to improve my score, or should I focus on other aspects of my application? I' …

Hey everyone! I'm a junior and I've been thinking about how to make my college applications stand out. There are so many talented students applying, so I want to make sure my application gets noticed. …

Hey everyone! I'm a junior and I'm starting to work on my college essays. There are several prompts to choose from and I'm not sure which one would be best for me. How did you guys decide which prompt …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I had a bit of a rough start in my freshman year, but my grades have been improving since then. How do colleges view an upward grade trend? Will they still consider my ap …

Hey guys! I'm a junior and I want to do more college admissions-related activities to enhance my application. What are some ways I can get involved? Any recommendations for clubs, organizations, or vo …

Hey there! I'm a junior and I have a unique hobby that I think could make for an interesting college essay. However, I'm not sure how to write about it in a way that will be engaging and showcase my p …

Hey guys, I'm a high school junior, and I've heard about SAT Subject Tests. Are these tests necessary for college applications, or are they just an optional component? I'm not sure if I should spend t …

Hi everyone! I'm planning to apply to some competitive colleges, and I want to make sure my application is as strong as possible. What are some things that will make my application stand out? Any advi …

Hey everyone! I'm a junior and I'm trying to decide whether to take the SAT or the ACT. Do colleges have a preference for one test over the other? Should I take both just to be safe? Any advice would …

Hi! I'm a junior, and I'm not sure how much I should be relying on my college counselor for help with the admissions process. What is their role, and how can they support me during this time? What sho …

Hey guys! I'm a junior, and I'm starting to feel a little stressed about balancing my school work, extracurricular activities, and the upcoming college application process. Do you have any tips on how …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I'm starting to work on my college essays. I know that many colleges ask for a 'Why this college?' essay, and I want to make sure mine stands out. Can anyone offer some t …

I'm a little stressed about the whole college application process, and I'm trying to decide if I should apply early action or early decision to my top choice school. What are the pros and cons of each …

Hello CollegeVine! I'm a junior starting to look at colleges, and I'm concerned about the cost of tuition. How can I find colleges that are affordable and offer good financial aid packages? Are there …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior in high school and I've heard that the Common App essay is a crucial part of the college application process. When should I start preparing for it? Should I begin brainstormi …