CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hey guys! I'm trying to decide between taking some challenging AP courses or focusing on maintaining a high GPA by taking regular classes. What do you think colleges prefer? Thanks for your help!

Hey everyone! I've been thinking about how many colleges I should apply to, and I'm not sure what the right number is. Some people say to apply to as many as possible, while others suggest focusing on …

As a junior, I want to use the summer and early senior year to improve my college application. What are some things I should focus on, besides working on my essay? Are there any must-do's for preparin …

Hi everyone! I'm a high school junior starting to think about writing my college essays. Can anyone recommend some resources or methods to help brainstorm ideas and topics? I'm slightly overwhelmed an …

Greetings! I volunteer at my local church every week and help with various activities. I'm really dedicated to this and was wondering if this can be counted as an extracurricular activity on college a …

Hi guys! I'm a junior and I'm having a hard time deciding on a college major. I have a few interests, but I'm not sure which one to pursue. How did you guys decide on your majors and do you have any a …

Hello! I'm a junior in high school, and I'm starting to look at colleges. I know that I'll need financial aid, but I'm not sure how to determine if a college's financial aid package will be enough for …

Hi there! I'm planning some college visits for the upcoming months, and I want to make the most of them. Can anyone give me some advice on what I should do to prepare and what questions I should ask? …

Hey everyone, I'm considering writing my college essay about overcoming failure and learning from it. Is this a good idea, or will it make me look like someone who can't handle challenges? I'd love to …

I'm really passionate about poetry and I feel like a poem could convey my story and message in a unique and powerful way. Have any of you written a poem for your college essay, or do you think it's to …

Hi all! I'm a junior starting to think about the college essay process and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. There are so many possible topics to write about, but how do I pick the right one? What makes …

Hello! I've been practicing yoga for several years and even attended a few workshops. Is it possible to list it as an extracurricular activity on my college application? I'd really appreciate your tho …

Hello! I'm a junior and I know that the college admissions process is very competitive. I want to make sure my application stands out from the rest. What can I do to set myself apart from other applic …

Hello, I'm a bit stressed over my essay. I've been told not to use contractions, but they seem more natural to me. Is it better to use contractions or should I stick to formal writing? Please help!

Hey guys, I'm a junior, and I'm working on my college list. I'm wondering if I should apply to more safety or reach schools to maximize my chances of getting in somewhere I'll be happy. What's the bes …

Hey everyone, I've heard that having a strong hook is important in a college essay, but I'm struggling to come up with one for my essay. Is it absolutely crucial to have a hook, or can I still write a …

Hi guys, I'm a junior, and I'm wondering what the role of a college counselor is in the application process. How can they help me with my applications, and what kind of questions should I ask them? Th …

Hi everyone, I'm really interested in a particular college, but due to distance and financial constraints, I can't visit the campus. What are some other ways to demonstrate my interest in the college …

I've started thinking about letters of recommendation for college applications. How should I approach my teachers, and what's the best way to ensure they write a strong letter? I want to make sure the …

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I've taken a foreign language for three years. I was considering dropping it next year to take another class I'm more interested in. Will this hurt my college applicatio …