CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hey there, I've heard that applying early decision or early action can increase my chances of getting into my top-choice college, but I'm not sure about the pros and cons of each option. Can anyone ex …

I am passionate about pursuing a career in medicine, but my high school grades haven't been the best. Can I still become a doctor if I work hard in college and improve my GPA?

Hi all! I'm working on my college essay and one of my family members has played a huge role in my life. I want to mention them but I'm worried it might come across as cliche or unoriginal. Is it okay …

Hey there! I'm a junior and I'm starting to look for scholarships to help pay for college. What are some good resources for finding scholarships and what tips do you have for applying to them? Any hel …

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I've been exploring the option of applying Early Decision to colleges. I'm a little confused about the rules, though. Can I apply to more than one college Early Decision …

Hello everyone! I'm a high school junior, and I've been trying to figure out how to make my college application more well-rounded. What are some things I can do to show colleges I have a diverse range …

Hey collegevine community! I'm a junior in high school, and I'm starting to work on my college essays. I know that many colleges ask the 'Why this college?' question, and I want to make sure my respon …

I know it's early to think about this, but when do colleges typically send out acceptance letters? I want to be mentally prepared for when that time of the year comes. Do all colleges send them out at …

Hey everyone, I'm a junior trying to plan out my senior year schedule. I want to major in engineering, but my school offers some interesting AP classes in other subjects. Do colleges care if I take AP …

Hi all! I'm not sure whether I should apply for need-based or merit-based financial aid. Can someone please explain the differences between the two and help me determine which type of aid might be bes …

Hello everyone! I'm a junior and I've been hearing a lot about the importance of having a 'hook' in your college application. I'm not entirely sure what that means or if I have one. Can someone explai …

Hey guys, I'm trying to plan out my senior schedule and am wondering if there's a certain number of AP classes Ivy League schools expect applicants to have taken. Would appreciate any advice!

Hey guys, I'm a high school junior and I've recently learned that some colleges require supplemental essays or materials in addition to the main application. I'm not exactly sure what the purpose of t …

Hi guys, I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about college applications. I'm not sure what I want to major in yet, and I'm wondering if it's possible to apply to college without declaring a major. …

Hey everyone! I regularly babysit my siblings and occasionally other kids in my neighborhood. Does this count as an extracurricular activity? I'd appreciate any opinions on whether to include it on my …

I'm a junior and my dream schools are the T20 colleges. I have a good GPA, solid test scores, and participate in a few extracurriculars. However, I'm worried about standing out among the thousands of …

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I want to get more involved in my school community to show colleges my dedication and leadership skills. What are some ways I could become more active and make a positiv …

Hello! I'm a junior in high school, and I've been stressing over my course load for next year. I've taken a mix of honors and AP classes, but I'm not sure if that's enough to impress colleges. Do coll …

Hi there, I'm a junior in high school and I'm starting to think about getting recommendation letters for my college applications. How important are these letters in the overall admissions process? Als …

Hi, I'm a junior and I've been tutoring younger students in math for a while now. Can I consider tutoring as an extracurricular activity for my college applications? I'd appreciate any guidance!