CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hi all! I'm a junior and I'm already stressed about how to balance my time next year between schoolwork and college applications. How did you guys manage to stay on top of everything? Any time managem …

Hi! I'm a junior and I'm wondering how important standardized test scores are for college admissions. Are they a major factor, or do colleges focus more on other aspects of my application? Thanks!

Hello! As a junior, I've been researching colleges and trying to figure out what I want to major in. I'm still pretty undecided, though. Do colleges expect me to have a specific major in mind when I a …

Hello all! I'm a high school junior and I'm starting to work on my college essay. How important is the essay in the application process? I'm worried that if it's not perfect, it could hurt my chances. …

Hi there! I'm a junior and I've been researching colleges, but I'm struggling to narrow down my list. How did you guys decide which schools to apply to? Any advice would be appreciated!

Hello! I'm a high school junior and I've been hearing a lot about demonstrated interest lately. How important is it to show colleges that you're genuinely interested in attending their school? Are the …

Hello! I need to start asking for letters of recommendation for my college applications, but I'm not sure how to go about it. How can I ensure that my teachers write strong, personalized letters that …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior, and I want to make sure my college application is as strong as possible. What are the key components of a strong application, and how can I showcase my achievements and skil …

Hello! I'm a junior, and I'm involved in a few extracurriculars, but I don't hold any leadership positions. How important are these positions in the college admissions process? Should I try to take on …

Hey everyone! I'm a junior and I'm curious about how much my high school's reputation matters in the college admissions process. Will attending a more prestigious high school give me an advantage or d …

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I've heard some rumors that colleges might look at your social media accounts during the admissions process. Is this true, and if so, should I be worried about what I post o …

Hello! I'm a junior and I was wondering how important letters of recommendation are in the college admissions process. What should I look for in a recommender and how can I ensure that my letters are …

Hey guys! I'm a junior considering taking a gap year after high school, but I'm not sure how that would affect my college applications. Should I apply during my senior year and then defer, or should I …

Hi all! I'm a junior and I've been brainstorming ideas for my college application essay. I have a few different ideas, but I'm struggling to decide which one is the best. How can I choose a topic that …

Hey guys, I'm a junior in high school and I'm trying to decide whether to apply to state schools or private colleges. What are the main differences between the two? Thanks for your help!

Hey guys, I'm a junior in high school and I've been considering applying to some really competitive colleges. However, I'm unsure if it's worth the effort considering how low the acceptance rates are. …

Hey there, I'm a high school junior, and I want to make the most of my summer before senior year to prepare for college applications. What are some productive things I can do during the summer to get …

Hi everyone, I'm a high school junior, and I'm starting to think about what major I want to choose for my college applications. I have a few interests, but I'm not sure how to narrow it down or if I s …

I'm starting to brainstorm ideas for my college essays, and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. What topics or qualities should I focus on to make my essay stand out? Any tips or advice would be super h …

Hello, I'm a bit stressed about asking my teachers for recommendation letters. I want to make sure I ask in a polite and respectful way. What's the best approach to this? Should I do it in person or v …