CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I've started to research colleges. I have a few top-choice schools, but I'm not sure how to demonstrate my interest in them. Can anyone provide some advice on what I can …

Hi everyone, I'm a junior with not-so-great standardized test scores, but I feel like I have a strong personal story to tell. Can a well-written essay make up for my lower scores? Also, CollegeVine, y …

Hey! I'm taking a mix of AP and IB courses, and I'm wondering how colleges evaluate these classes. Do they view them as equally rigorous? Is one more impressive than the other to admissions officers? …

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and currently taking a few AP classes. I'm curious, how do colleges view AP classes in terms of rigor and how much weight do they put on them during the admissions process? T …

Hello everyone! I'm a high school junior and I'm working on my college applications. I know that a strong personal statement is crucial, but I'm not sure how to make mine stand out. Can anyone share s …

I'm thinking about which teachers to ask for recommendation letters, and I'm wondering how much of an impact they have on college admissions. Are they a crucial part of the application, or just a smal …

Hi there, I'm a high school junior, and I'm in the process of researching colleges. I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the information out there. CollegeVine, can you give me some tips on how to effectively …

Hi guys! I'm starting to think about my college essays, but I'm not sure what topics I should focus on. I want to showcase my personality and experiences, but I also want to stand out from the crowd. …

Hey guys! I'm a junior and I've been stressing about standardized test scores lately. I know they're important, but how much do they really matter in the grand scheme of things? I've heard that some c …

Hey everyone! As my junior year is coming to an end, I'm wondering what I should be doing during the summer to prepare for college applications. Do you have any suggestions for things that I should fo …

Hello! I'm a high school junior, and my GPA is not quite as high as I'd like it to be. I'm worried that it might hurt my chances of getting into a good college. What can I do to compensate for a lower …

Hi, I'm considering applying to some schools through Early Decision or Early Action, but I'm not sure if I can apply to more than one. What are the rules regarding multiple Early Decision/Early Action …

Hello! I'm a junior, and I've been wondering how important class rank is in the college admissions process. My school doesn't officially rank students, but I can estimate my position. Should I be worr …

Hi collegevine, I recently took the SAT/ACT and scored relatively high, but I'm wondering if it's worth retaking the test to try for an even higher score. Would this improve my chances of getting into …

Hello everyone! I'm a junior and I'm passionate about art. I have a strong art portfolio, but I'm planning on majoring in something else. Can I still submit my art portfolio as part of my college appl …

Hey guys! I'm a junior and I'm planning on visiting some college campuses soon. I want to make the most of my visits, but I'm not sure what I should be looking for or asking about. Can anyone share so …

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I've been researching financial aid for college. My family's income is relatively high, but I'm not sure if we'll be able to afford my dream school without help. Should I …

Hi there, I'm a high school junior and I'm getting ready for college interviews. I'm a little bit nervous and unsure about how to prepare. Can someone from CollegeVine give me some tips on how to make …

Hello! I'm a junior and I'm starting to research the college application process. I've heard about both the Common App and the Coalition App, but I'm not sure which one I should use. Can anyone explai …

Hi guys, I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about what I want to study in college. How did you decide on your major, and what factors should I consider when making this decision? Any advice would …