CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hi, I'm a junior and I'm starting to research scholarships to help pay for college. What can I do to improve my chances of winning scholarships, and are there any strategies for finding lesser-known o …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I'm trying to decide if I should get a part-time job or focus on my extracurricular activities. I'm worried that having a job will take away from my ability to participat …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and my parents attended a prestigious university. I've heard that legacy status can potentially help with college admissions, but I'm not sure how much of an advantage it rea …

Hey guys! I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about college costs. I know scholarships can help, but I'm not sure when I should start applying for them. Is it too early to start looking for scholar …

Hi there! I've been looking into some summer programs to help strengthen my college application. Do you think attending a summer program would be worth it, or should I focus on other activities? I'd l …

Hello! I'm a junior in high school and I'm starting to prepare for college interviews. I'm a bit nervous and I want to make a good impression. What are some tips for standing out in college interviews …

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I haven't really started preparing for the SAT yet. I know I should have started earlier, but I've been swamped with schoolwork. Is it too late to start now and still get …

Hey everyone! I recently took the SAT/ACT and my score is a bit below the average for my dream school. Should I try to retake the test to improve my score, or should I focus on other aspects of my app …

Hey everyone, due to COVID-19, I haven't been able to visit any colleges in person. I've been doing virtual college visits instead, but I feel like I'm not getting the full experience. How can I make …

Hi all, I've heard that applying early action or early decision might increase my chances of getting accepted. Is this true? I could really use some advice on this topic. Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, I'm a junior, and I've been looking into the costs of applying to college. I know that some colleges offer fee waivers, but I'm not sure how to find them or if I qualify. Can anyone shed …

Hi all, I'm a high school junior and I'm starting to think about applying for financial aid. I'm not sure if I qualify or if it's worth the effort to apply. Can anyone help me understand the financial …

Hi friends! I'm a high school junior and I'm concerned about my lack of extracurricular activities. I've been focusing on my academics and haven't had much time for clubs or sports. How can I make my …

Hi all! I'm a junior and I've heard that some colleges require or recommend interviews as part of the admissions process. What are some good questions to ask during these interviews? Thanks for any ad …

Hi everyone, I've been researching colleges and I'm curious if all colleges require standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) as part of the application process. Are there schools that don't require these sc …

Hi all, I want to write my college essay about a sensitive personal topic, but I'm not sure how to approach it. I don't want it to come across as seeking sympathy or oversharing. How can I write about …

Hello! I'm a junior and I'm starting to brainstorm ideas for my college essay. I have a few ideas, but I'm not sure which one to go with. How do I choose the right essay topic? What should I consider …

Hey all! I'm a current junior, and I'm trying to decide whether I should apply to liberal arts colleges or research universities. What are the main differences between these two types of schools, and …

Hello everyone! I'm a junior who's beginning to think about recommendation letters for my college applications. When is the best time to ask teachers for these letters? I want to give them enough time …

Hello! I'm a high school junior and I have a dream school in mind. I was wondering if applying Early Decision would increase my chances of getting accepted? I've heard mixed opinions on this and I'm a …