CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I've been exploring the option of applying Early Decision to colleges. I'm a little confused about the rules, though. Can I apply to more than one college Early Decision …

Hello everyone! I'm a high school junior, and I've been trying to figure out how to make my college application more well-rounded. What are some things I can do to show colleges I have a diverse range …

Hey collegevine community! I'm a junior in high school, and I'm starting to work on my college essays. I know that many colleges ask the 'Why this college?' question, and I want to make sure my respon …

I know it's early to think about this, but when do colleges typically send out acceptance letters? I want to be mentally prepared for when that time of the year comes. Do all colleges send them out at …

Hey everyone, I'm a junior trying to plan out my senior year schedule. I want to major in engineering, but my school offers some interesting AP classes in other subjects. Do colleges care if I take AP …

Hi all! I'm not sure whether I should apply for need-based or merit-based financial aid. Can someone please explain the differences between the two and help me determine which type of aid might be bes …

Hello everyone! I'm a junior and I've been hearing a lot about the importance of having a 'hook' in your college application. I'm not entirely sure what that means or if I have one. Can someone explai …

Hey guys, I'm trying to plan out my senior schedule and am wondering if there's a certain number of AP classes Ivy League schools expect applicants to have taken. Would appreciate any advice!

Hey guys, I'm a high school junior and I've recently learned that some colleges require supplemental essays or materials in addition to the main application. I'm not exactly sure what the purpose of t …

Hi guys, I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about college applications. I'm not sure what I want to major in yet, and I'm wondering if it's possible to apply to college without declaring a major. …

Hey everyone! I regularly babysit my siblings and occasionally other kids in my neighborhood. Does this count as an extracurricular activity? I'd appreciate any opinions on whether to include it on my …

I'm a junior and my dream schools are the T20 colleges. I have a good GPA, solid test scores, and participate in a few extracurriculars. However, I'm worried about standing out among the thousands of …

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I want to get more involved in my school community to show colleges my dedication and leadership skills. What are some ways I could become more active and make a positiv …

Hello! I'm a junior in high school, and I've been stressing over my course load for next year. I've taken a mix of honors and AP classes, but I'm not sure if that's enough to impress colleges. Do coll …

Hi there, I'm a junior in high school and I'm starting to think about getting recommendation letters for my college applications. How important are these letters in the overall admissions process? Als …

Hi, I'm a junior and I've been tutoring younger students in math for a while now. Can I consider tutoring as an extracurricular activity for my college applications? I'd appreciate any guidance!

Hi everyone! Unfortunately, I didn't perform well on my AP exams due to some family issues that arose right before the testing period. Is there a way to explain these circumstances to colleges so they …

Hi all, I'm a junior who's truly passionate about biology and wants to major in it during college. I have some extracurriculars related to biology, like being part of my school's biology club and volu …

Hey guys! I'm a high school junior interested in finding a pre-college summer program to attend next summer. Can anyone recommend some great programs to look into? Any experiences or suggestions would …

Throughout high school, I have been dedicated to meaningful community service, including organizing a local food drive and volunteering at a homeless shelter. I want to highlight the importance of the …