CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hey everyone, I've just finished the first draft of my college essay, and I was wondering what the best approach is for editing and revising. Should I ask for feedback from my teachers, peers, or fami …

Hey there! I've been looking at different universities and I came across some research universities that are also known for having a liberal arts feel on campus. Can you guys suggest some schools that …

Hi everyone! I'm really passionate about art and take classes outside of school. Is this considered an extracurricular activity for college applications? Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!

Hi! I'm a junior and, lately, I've been questioning my initial choice of major. If I apply to college for one specific major and get accepted, how difficult would it be to switch majors once I'm enrol …

Hi! I'm a junior and I'm planning to take the SAT or ACT soon. I'm a little stressed about how much my score will impact my chances of getting into a good college. Are standardized test scores really …

Hey all! I'm currently a junior, and I was wondering whether it's too early or too late for me to start working on my college essays. When is the best time to start? Should I wait until senior year or …

Hey everyone, the Common App includes a prompt about a significant challenge one has faced, and I'm not sure how to approach this in a meaningful and honest way without sounding like I'm complaining. …

Hi! I'm quite serious about my fitness routine and spend a significant amount of time at the gym. Would it be appropriate to mention this as an extracurricular activity on my college applications, or …

Hey everyone! I'm deciding whether to take IB or AP courses next year, and I want to know which program is typically regarded as more challenging. Are IB courses generally considered harder than AP co …

Hey everyone, I'm in the process of finalizing my college list, and I'm having trouble selecting safety schools. I have a fairly impressive academic and extracurricular record but need advice on what …

Hello! I'm a junior, and I've recently become interested in the idea of going to college in another country. What are some pros and cons of attending college abroad? Has anyone had any experience with …

Hey there! I never took any IB courses in high school, but I've heard that the IB exams are highly regarded by colleges. If I were to self-study, would it be possible for me to take the IB exams witho …

Hi everyone! I've been researching early decision and early action options, and I'm not sure if it's worth applying in this manner. Can anyone provide some advice or share their experiences with early …

Hi everyone. I've been aspiring to go to UCLA, but my grades are not outstanding (a few C's here and there). However, I'm really passionate about my extracurriculars and community service. Is there st …

Hi, I'm a junior in high school and spend a significant amount of time volunteering and participating in my church community. Can I consider this as an extracurricular activity for college application …

Hello! I'm a junior, and I'm taking some dual enrollment courses at a local community college. How do colleges view these courses in the admissions process, and will they help me stand out or give me …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I'm building my college list. I want to have a reach school, but I'm not sure how to choose one. What factors should I consider when deciding on a reach school? Thanks in …

I hope you're all doing well. I'm planning to pursue the IB Diploma, and I'm curious about how many Higher Level (HL) courses I need to take in order to earn the diploma. If anyone knows the answer to …

Hey guys, I just got my SAT scores back and I got a 1400. I was wondering if that's good enough for Ivy League schools or if I should consider taking the test again. What do you think? I appreciate an …

Hey guys, I'm a little stressed because I'll definitely need financial aid to attend college. I've heard that applying for aid can hurt your chances of getting in, especially at need-aware schools. Is …