CollegeVine Expert FAQ

I've fallen in love with Brown's open curriculum and their collaborative culture. I'm looking for other colleges that offer a similar level of academic freedom and a supportive community. Any ideas wh …

Got a 1380 on my SAT and not sure how to feel about it. I'm targeting some top 50 schools and wondering if anyone has been in a similar spot and can share whether retaking for a higher score was benef …

Hey peeps, I'm caught up in this whole college search and Occidental College really stands out to me. They seem to have a strong focus on cultural diversity and academics. What other colleges out ther …

Hey guys, I’m kinda overwhelmed with where to start on my essay. Could someone give me advice on structuring my college application essay? How do I ensure that it flows well and really showcases who I …

Hey everyone, I'm starting to plan out my college application strategy and I'm wondering about the essay part. How many essays do most colleges require? I know there's the main Common App essay, but w …

Nervous upcoming college freshman here! I've heard that being a college freshman is somewhat similar to being a high school freshman. Is that right? What are the biggest changes I should brace myself …

I hear a lot about how important it is to be personal in your college essay but also to stay relatable. How can I find that balance and make sure I'm writing a personal essay that will connect with th …

Just a junior here feeling pretty average compared to the amazing things I read about other applicants. I’ve got decent grades and some extracurriculars, but nothing groundbreaking. How do I spin this …

I've heard different takes from everyone – my counselor says essays can make or break your application, while my brother says they're just a formality. How important are college essays actually when i …

Hey guys, I've been losing sleep over how difficult the AP World History exam might be. The content seems never-ending! How did you manage to review all the material, and was the exam as bad as people …

Hi friends, I've read cool things about Gonzaga's supportive community and smaller undergraduate focus, but Spokane is pretty far from home. Does anyone know colleges that offer a similar close-knit a …

Hello everyone! I'm passionate about design and architecture, but I’m a bit concerned about the cost and time commitment of a full-fledged architecture degree in college. Are there alternative career …

Okay peeps, I'm drafting this one essay where I have to talk about why I'm interested in a specific college. I keep second-guessing whether my reasons are good enough. What would you guys include? How …

So, I think I might have bitten off more than I can chew with my APs this year. What's the procedure to cancel an AP exam before I take it? Can I get a refund, and will it show on my record somewhere …

So I've heard the hook of a college essay is super important. Any thoughts on how to write a hook for a college essay that'll actually grab the reader’s attention? Worried that my intro is a bit bland …

Physics is already kinda daunting, and I'm stressing out about taking AP Physics 1. Can someone tell me how many questions are on the exam so I can gauge the pacing needed during the test?

Hi friends! Can someone tell me when the registration deadline for AP exams is? I'm juggling a ton of activities and I don’t want to miss it by accident. Thanks in advance!

Doing my research, I realized Penn State has a strong vibe with major school spirit and a reputable business program. I'd love to add schools to my list that match that energy and have similar opportu …

So I've been hearing different things about AP Psych—some say it's super easy, and others say it’s deceptively hard. I'm thinking of self-studying for it since I'm pretty interested in psychology. Any …

Hello fellow students, I've been brainstorming for my college essays and honestly, I just want to write something that will stick in the admissions officers’ minds. What have you heard or experienced …