CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hey there! I'm a junior and I want to make the most of my summer before senior year. What are some things I can do to prepare for college applications and make the process smoother? Any suggestions or …

Hi everyone! Due to the pandemic, I haven't been able to visit any college campuses. I want to show my interest in certain schools, but I'm not sure how to do that without visiting. Any advice on how …

Hey there! I'm a high school junior, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed about starting the Common App. Can anyone break down the steps for me and give me some advice on how to tackle this process? Than …

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about college essays. How important is the 'Why this college?' essay in the admissions process? Should I spend a lot of time researching and crafti …

Hi everyone! I'm a high school junior and I want to use my summer break to strengthen my college application. What are some activities or experiences that would be beneficial for me to pursue? I'd rea …

Hello! I'm a junior, and I was wondering if colleges take class rank into account when reviewing applications. My school ranks students, but I'm not sure if it's something I should be concerned about. …

Hi, I'm a high school junior and I'm starting to research colleges. I have a wide range of interests and I'm not exactly sure what I want to major in. Is it looked down upon if I apply to college as a …

Hi there! I'm a junior and I'm trying to plan my summer before senior year. What should I be doing during this time to prepare for the college application process? Any suggestions would be greatly app …

Hey guys, I'm a high school junior and I'm starting to feel a bit stressed about the SAT. I've heard mixed things about different prep methods and I'm unsure about the best way to study. Can anyone re …

Hi guys! I'm a high school junior, and I'm wondering if it's necessary to go on college tours. I've been researching colleges online, but I'm not sure if I should make the effort to visit in person. H …

Hey, I'm a junior in high school and I'm trying to decide whether I should take more AP classes next year or focus on maintaining a high GPA. Which one do colleges value more? Thanks for any advice!

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I'm wondering how important it is to visit colleges before applying. Is it worth the time and effort, or can I get a good sense of a school without visiting?

Hey everyone! I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed trying to balance my school work, extracurriculars, and college applications. How do you guys manage your time and stay organized during this process? Any t …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I want to start reaching out to admissions officers at the colleges I'm interested in. What's the best way to communicate with them and ask questions without coming acros …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I've been thinking about teacher recommendations for my college applications. How should I go about asking my teachers for recommendations, and are there any specific gui …

Hey guys! I'm a junior and I'm wondering how important AP classes are for college admissions. I've taken a few, but I'm not sure if I should take more. Do colleges really care about the number of AP c …

Hey there, I'm a junior and I've noticed that a lot of colleges are going test-optional. Are standardized test scores still important in the college admissions process, or should I focus on other part …

Hi everyone! I've heard a lot about the Common App and I'm considering using it for my college applications. What are the benefits of applying through the Common App and is it a good option for me? Th …

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I'm wondering how many extracurriculars I should have on my college applications. Is there a certain number that colleges look for, or is it more about quality over quantity …

Hello, everyone! I've read that some college admissions officers look for a 'spike' or a specific talent/interest in applicants. I have a variety of interests but don't really have a standout skill. W …