CollegeVine Expert FAQ

With summer approaching, I want to make sure I use my time productively to strengthen my college applications. What are some valuable activities or programs I could participate in this summer to set m …

Hello everyone, I'm a first-generation immigrant, and I'm considering writing my college essay about my experiences. I want to make sure I convey my story effectively without sounding too cliché. Any …

Hello everyone! I'm a junior in high school, and I'm already feeling stressed and overwhelmed by the thought of the college application process. I know it's a long and challenging journey, but I'm str …

Hey everyone, I'm a senior and I sent out my college applications a while back. However, my first-semester grades recently came in and they're higher than my previous GPA. Is there a chance that colle …

Hello! I'm a junior researching colleges, and I really like the idea of being a part of Greek life. I was wondering if Greek life is common at Ivy League schools or is it something that they don't emp …

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I know that I'll need to ask for recommendation letters from my teachers soon. I'm a little nervous about it and I don't want to come across as pushy or demanding. Do you …

Hello! I'm a high school junior and mental health is really important to me. I'm wondering how colleges typically handle mental health support for students on campus. Any insights or experiences would …

Hello! I'm currently a junior, and I'm a little stressed about college admissions. I was wondering how important SAT subject tests are in determining my chances of getting into a good college. Should …

I've been putting together my list of schools that I want to apply to, but I'm worried about the cost of application fees. Is it possible to ask for fee waivers, and if so, how do I go about requestin …

Hi, I accidentally submitted my college application twice and paid the fee both times. Does anyone know how I can request a refund for the duplicate submission? Any help would be appreciated!

I spent my junior year studying abroad, and I missed certain activities and courses that other students took at my home school. Will this negatively affect my college applications, or will admissions …

Hi everyone! I'm really passionate about learning languages and have taught myself a new language (with some help from language apps and books) outside of school courses. Is this something I should li …

Hi everyone, I'm currently planning my course schedule for next year (I'm a junior). I'm thinking about taking a lighter course load so I can fully focus on the classes and maintain a high GPA. Will t …

Hey y'all! So Princeton has been my dream school since I was young, but if I'm being honest, my grades aren't the best. I had some personal setbacks in my sophomore year, but I've recovered, and my ex …

Hi all, I've always dreamed of being a doctor, but my grades in high school have been less than ideal. I know medical school can be very competitive, so should I even try? Can I still pursue a medical …

Hey everyone, I'm a junior, and I've been considering taking a gap year after high school. I have some exciting plans and opportunities, but I'm worried that taking a year off might negatively impact …

Hey everyone, I'm a high school junior and I've been thinking about whether it's worth it to go to an expensive, prestigious college. I'm worried about the cost and taking on too much debt. Is the edu …

Hi there! I'm working on creating my college list, and I want to make sure I have a good balance of safety, match, and reach schools. How did you all decide which colleges to include in each category? …

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I'm considering applying to some colleges early action or early decision. Are there any benefits to doing this, like increased chances of admission or better financial a …

I'm a high school junior and I've always wanted to become a doctor; however, my grades aren't the best. Can I still pursue a career in medicine, or have I already ruined my chances with these subpar g …