CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hi everyone! I'm really passionate about poetry and I was thinking of writing a poem for my college essay. Is this a good idea, or should I stick to a traditional essay format? I want to stand out, bu …

Hello everyone! I'm a high school junior, and I'm starting to think about my college application strategy. I've heard that applying Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA) can increase your chances o …

Hello, I'm a junior who's just starting to think about college applications, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. I know that colleges look at several factors when evaluating applications, but I'm not e …

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I'm planning on attending a college fair soon. I want to make the most of the experience, but I'm not sure what questions to ask or what information to look for. Can anyone …

Hi there! I'm currently in the process of searching for the perfect college for me. While I'm really interested in pursuing research opportunities, I also love the idea of a liberal arts education. Ar …

Hi, I'm a junior and for the past couple of years, I have been babysitting for my neighbors' kids regularly. Is babysitting considered an extracurricular activity for college applications? Let me know …

I'm starting my college search and I'm feeling overwhelmed by all the options. Can anyone provide some advice on factors to consider when looking for colleges that are a good fit for me?

Hello everyone! I'm a junior and I want to get more involved with community service. I know it's important for college applications, but I also genuinely want to give back. What are some good ways to …

Hi everyone! I'm a first-gen immigrant, and I want to write about my experiences in my college essay. But I'm not really sure how to approach it. Does anyone have tips or advice on how to make it stan …

Hi all, as I embark on writing my college essay, I'm thinking of including a personal anecdote to make it more engaging. Are personal anecdotes generally well-received in college essays, or should I s …

Hey there! I've worked really hard on an essay for a scholarship, and I was wondering if I could submit the same essay for other scholarships as well? Or should I tweak it for each application? I'd ap …

Hi everyone, I have a dream college in mind and I really want to get in. What can I do to improve my chances of being accepted? Should I focus on my grades, extracurriculars, or something else? Any ad …

Hey guys, I'm starting to research colleges and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. There are so many options and I don't know where to begin. How did you all narrow down your list of potential colleges? A …

Hi all! I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about applying to colleges in the fall. I've heard that demonstrating interest in a college can help your chances of getting accepted, but I'm not exactl …

Hi guys! I'm a junior and starting to think about my future college applications. What are some things I should be doing this summer to make sure I'm ready? Any advice helps!

Hey everyone, as a first-generation immigrant, I wanted to share my unique experiences in my college essay. However, I'm not sure how to approach it without sounding cliché or like I'm complaining. An …

Hi all, I've been considering taking a gap year before starting college, but I'm not sure if it's the right choice for me. How can I determine if a gap year would be beneficial, and what are some pote …

I've heard stories of people attending community college first and then transferring to a 4-year university to save money and improve their chances of getting into a better school. Is this a viable op …

Hello, I'm a high school junior and I've heard people talk about reach, target, and safety schools. Can someone please explain the differences between these types of schools and how they fit into the …

Hey guys! I'm a junior and I'll be the first in my family to attend college. I want to make sure I choose a school that has a strong support system for first-generation students. What should I look fo …