CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hello, everyone! I'm working on my application for Harvard, and I'm having a hard time brainstorming ideas for the essay prompts. Any suggestions for topics or themes that would make for a strong essa …

I had to change high schools in my junior year, and I'm worried about how it might affect my college applications. Does transferring high schools typically look bad to colleges? Should I address this …

On the flip side, do you guys think that graduating early could potentially make my application stand out in a positive way? What are the pros and cons of doing so?

Hi everyone. I have a relatively low GPA, like 3.5 unweighted, but I've got a pretty unique background and some solid achievements. Do y'all think I still have a shot at getting into Harvard? Any advi …

I'm studying for the upcoming AP Calculus exam and I want to tackle some really tough questions. Where can I find challenging calculus questions, or does anyone have any they could share here?

Hey everyone, so I need to write a college essay and I'm struggling with the intro. I want to grab the reader's attention right away. Can anyone provide examples or tips on creating a great hook? Chee …

I'm a freshman and I'm planning my classes for next year. I'm really interested in taking AP Chem as a sophomore. Have any of you taken it in 10th grade? How did you find it and do you have any advice …

Hi! I'm taking a few AP classes this year, and I was just wondering how these might affect my overall GPA. Do colleges weigh AP courses more heavily, or is it all just part of the same calculation?

So, for my AP Chinese class, we have to create a cultural presentation (solo or in a group). I'm a bit nervous about the whole process and I could use some tips. How do I get started, choose the right …

Hello! I'm working on several college applications that require short answer responses. I was wondering if anyone could share examples of successful short answer responses that helped them get in. Any …

Hey fellow applicants! I'm starting to work on my college apps and I want to have a rough idea of how long the process takes. So, how much time should I allocate for completing applications, including …

Hi guys, I've come across the term 'need aware' while researching colleges, but I'm not exactly sure what it means. Can someone explain it to me and provide me with a list of colleges that follow a ne …

Hey everyone! I'm really striving towards achieving a 3.5 GPA in high school. I'd love some advice or suggestions on how to reach this goal. What strategies have you guys found effective in maintainin …

Hey there! It's almost time to choose a major and I'm strongly considering computer science. For those of you who have chosen this major, could you share your thoughts on why computer science is a gre …

As a history enthusiast, I'm curious about the potential job opportunities for history majors. What are some great careers for someone with a degree in history? Are there any unusual or non-academic j …

I'm a junior starting to think about college financial aid, and I've come across both the CSS Profile and FAFSA. What's the difference between the two? Do I need to complete both of them? Can someone …

Hi everyone! I'm planning on applying to Dartmouth and I'm wondering if anyone knows what to expect for their supplemental essays for 2024? Or should I just prepare by looking at last year's prompts? …

I'm starting my Columbia app and I see this 'list of books' essay prompt. What should I include? Is it only academic books, or can I also write about fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, etc.?

I've always dreamed of going to an Ivy League school, but after thinking about it more, I'm not sure if it's worth the stress, competition, and high cost. Can anyone share their thoughts or experience …

I need to write an essay about how I've innovated in my life for my Caltech application. I'm a little stuck on what to write about. Can someone please share their experience or give me some suggestion …