CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hi guys! I'm starting the college application process and I'm wondering how long it typically takes to write a good college essay. I want to make sure I give myself enough time to brainstorm, write, a …

Hey everyone, I'm a high school junior and I'm starting to research colleges. With so many options, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. How can I figure out which college is the best fit for me, both acade …

Hi everyone! I've read a lot of advice on what to include in my college essay, but I'm not sure what to avoid. Are there any topics or writing styles that I should steer clear of to make my essay as s …

Hi everyone, I'm a junior trying to create a balanced college list. How many colleges should I be applying to? I don't want to stretch myself too thin, but I also want to have options. Thanks in advan …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior in high school and I've been considering taking a gap year before college to gain some work experience and explore my interests. However, I'm worried that taking a gap year m …

I'm really struggling with choosing a major for college. How did you all decide on your major and do you have any tips for making this important decision?

Hello! So, I'm a junior in high school, and I've been thinking a lot about what I want to study in college. I have a few interests, but I'm not sure how to narrow it down to a specific major. I was wo …

Hello, I'm a high school junior trying to plan out my senior year schedule. I'm debating whether to take more challenging courses (like APs) at the risk of getting lower grades or to take easier class …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior in high school and I'm making a list of colleges to apply to. I have a few reach schools that I'm interested in, but I'm not sure if it's worth applying to them if my chances …

Hey guys! I'm a junior and I've been considering applying to some colleges through Early Decision or Early Action. I've heard that this can improve your chances of acceptance, but I'm not sure about t …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior in high school, and I've been thinking a lot about college and how I'm going to pay for it. I know there are many different types of financial aid available, but I'm not sure …

Hey everyone, I'm struggling to come up with a topic for my college essay. I want to write something that will make me stand out from other applicants, but I'm not sure what to focus on. What are some …

Hey guys, I'm a bit stressed because I feel like my extracurriculars are lacking. I'm a junior now, and I'm wondering if it's too late to join new clubs and activities? Will colleges think I'm just tr …

Hey guys, as a junior in high school, I've been thinking about what to write for my college essay. I've struggled with mental health issues in the past, and I'm wondering if it's appropriate to share …

Hi everyone, when writing my college essay, is it okay to use 'I' and write in the first person? I want to make it personal, but I'm not sure if it's appropriate. Thanks for your help!

Hey there! As a junior, I'm starting to feel the pressure of balancing my schoolwork and preparing for college applications. I want to make sure I'm staying on top of everything, but it can be overwhe …

Hi there, I'm a junior and I know that many colleges have gone test-optional due to COVID-19. My test scores aren't amazing, but they're not terrible either. Should I submit them or just leave them ou …

Hey everyone! I'm passionate about art, and I'm considering submitting an art portfolio with my college application. Is this a good idea, and do you think it will help improve my chances of getting ac …

Hey there! I'm currently a junior and starting to think about college applications. I'm not completely sure what I want to major in yet, though. Is it necessary to have a major in mind when applying o …

Hi everyone, I'm an international student planning to apply to colleges in the United States. I know that financial aid can be more limited for international students, so I'm wondering how to find col …