CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hi everyone, I'm a junior in high school and I've been working on my college list. I know it's important to have a mix of reach, target, and safety schools, but I'm not sure how to decide which school …

Hey everyone, I'm a bit stressed about the possibility of being deferred or waitlisted during the college application process. What should I do if I find myself in this situation, and how can I improv …

Hey there, I'm a junior in high school, and I've been thinking about taking a gap year after I graduate to gain some real-world experience and maybe do some volunteering. I know some colleges are okay …

Hi everyone! I'm a little bit stressed about asking my teachers for letters of recommendation. I've heard that they can make a big difference in the admissions process. What are some strategies I can …

Hey everyone! I'm a junior and I've started researching colleges. I've heard that demonstrating interest in a college can potentially improve your chances of admission. What are some effective ways to …

Hello! I'm a high school junior and I'm starting to think about the college application process. I know that choosing the right college is important, but I'm not sure how to go about it. What factors …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior starting to think about my college essays. I'm not the best writer and I'm really nervous about this part of the application process. Does anyone have any tips or resources f …

Hi all, I want to write my college essay about a sensitive personal topic, but I'm not sure how to approach it. I don't want it to come across as seeking sympathy or oversharing. How can I write about …

Hi, I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about applying for financial aid. I know that the cost of college can be a big factor in deciding where to go, but I'm not sure if I can apply for aid before …

Hey everyone, I'm starting to research colleges and universities, and I'm wondering what the difference is between the two. I know that universities are typically larger and offer more graduate progra …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior, and I'm already worried about what I should do if I end up being waitlisted at my top choice college. How do I increase my chances of getting off the waitlist? I'd appreciat …

Hey guys! Some colleges I'm applying to have an optional essay. Should I submit one? What are the benefits of doing so and are there any downsides? Thanks for any advice!

Hey everyone! I want to start working on my college essays soon, and I'm wondering what I can do to make them stand out. I've heard that admissions officers read so many essays, and I want to make sur …

Hello everyone, I'm a junior in high school and I'm starting to think about the decision-making process if I'm lucky enough to be accepted to multiple colleges. How did you guys decide which college t …

Hey all, I'm trying to find colleges with strong programs for my intended major, but I'm not sure how to determine which schools have the best programs. What should I look for when researching a colle …

Hello fellow juniors! I want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to prepare for college during my time in high school. What are some things I should focus on or participate in to ensure that I'm w …

Hey everyone, I'm a high school junior and I want to start preparing for the college application process. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed and I'm not sure where to begin. Can someone provide some adv …

Hi everyone, I've been attending some college admissions webinars, but I want to make sure I'm getting the most out of them. What should I do during these webinars to gain valuable insights and inform …

Hey there! I'm a junior, and I've been participating in a few extracurriculars throughout high school. I'm wondering if I should join more clubs or activities in my senior year to boost my college app …

Hey guys, I'm debating whether or not to take some AP classes next year, but I'm worried they might hurt my GPA. Is it better to get a higher grade in a regular class or risk getting a lower grade in …