CollegeVine Expert FAQ

I've heard stories of people attending community college first and then transferring to a 4-year university to save money and improve their chances of getting into a better school. Is this a viable op …

Hello, I'm a high school junior and I've heard people talk about reach, target, and safety schools. Can someone please explain the differences between these types of schools and how they fit into the …

Hey guys! I'm a junior and I'll be the first in my family to attend college. I want to make sure I choose a school that has a strong support system for first-generation students. What should I look fo …

Hey everyone! I'm working on my college essays and I'm not sure if I should focus on a personal challenge I've overcome or an achievement I'm proud of. Do colleges have a preference for one over the o …

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I'm trying to figure out what college admissions officers are really looking for in a strong application. I know grades and test scores are important, but what else should I …

Hi everyone! I'm planning on taking the SAT or ACT soon, but I'm not sure how to best prepare for these tests. Can anyone share some tips on how to study effectively and boost my scores? Thank you so …

Hi everyone, I'm not sure which college admissions test I should take, the SAT or the ACT. Is there a significant difference between the two, and how do I decide which one is the better fit for me? Th …

I'm trying to brainstorm some unique topics for my college essay, but I'm a bit stuck. I want to stand out but also make sure my essay is still meaningful and well-written. Any ideas or suggestions yo …

I'm a junior and I haven't done any community service yet. I'm feeling a bit stressed out because I know that colleges like to see students who are involved in their community. Is it too late for me t …

Hello everyone! I'm a junior trying to decide between taking AP classes and dual enrollment classes next year. I know both look good for college admissions, but which one is better in terms of rigor a …

I'm starting to think about college and I'm feeling overwhelmed by all the potential majors. How did you guys choose your major? Any advice on how to narrow down my options and pick something I'll enj …

I'm feeling a bit stressed about starting my college essay and I'm not sure how much time I should allocate for it. How long did it take you guys to write your essays, and do you have any tips for man …

Hello everyone! I'm a junior and starting to build my college list. I know it's important to have a safety school, but I'm not sure how to choose one. What should I be looking for in a safety school, …

I've been working on my college essay and I'm not sure if I should give it a title or just leave it without one. What do you all think? I don't want to do anything that might negatively affect my appl …

Hey everyone, I'm a high school junior considering taking some community college classes to boost my transcript. I wonder if this could be seen favorably by college admissions officers. Any advice or …

Hey guys, I'm a high school junior and I have a passion for art. I spend a lot of my free time drawing, painting, and working on my portfolio. I'm curious as to whether art can be considered an extrac …

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I've been involved in some leadership roles throughout high school. I've heard that showcasing leadership skills can be important in college applications, but I'm not su …

I'm a bit confused about the formatting requirements for my college essay. Do I need to use the MLA format, or can I simply follow the Common App requirements? Thanks for any insights!

Hi everyone! I've been babysitting for a few families in my community since I was a freshman. I don't want this time commitment to go unnoticed on my college application, so can I list babysitting as …

Hi all, I'm trying to decide between taking AP classes or dual enrollment classes next year. I know both can help with college admissions and potentially earning college credit, but I'm not sure which …