CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hello! I'm a junior, and I've been wondering how important class rank is in the college admissions process. My school doesn't officially rank students, but I can estimate my position. Should I be worr …

Hey! I'm considering applying to both in-state and out-of-state colleges, but I'm not sure how to weigh the pros and cons of each. What factors should I consider when deciding between in-state and out …

Hey everyone! I've heard that applying Early Decision can give you a better chance of getting into your top-choice college, but I'm not sure if I should go for it. I'm nervous about committing to one …

Hey there! I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about where I want to apply to college. I want to create a balanced college list, but I'm not sure how to determine which schools are reach, target, a …

Hey, everyone! I've been looking at college rankings and I'm not sure how much weight I should give them in my decision-making process. Are they really that important? Thanks for any advice!

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about how to finance my college education. I know scholarships can be a big help, but I'm not sure how to improve my chances of receiving them. What ca …

Hey guys, I'm taking a few AP classes this year, and I want to make sure I do well on the exams. What are your favorite study resources and strategies for AP exam prep? I'm a little bit stressed, so a …

Hey there, I'm a high school junior, and I'm struggling to balance my schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and the college application process. I'm worried that I won't be able to manage everything …

Hi everyone, I'm a high school junior and I've been wondering what colleges look for in an applicant. Can someone provide some insight on what factors colleges consider when reviewing applications? Kn …

Hello! I'm a junior and I'm an international student. I was wondering how the college admissions process might be different for me compared to US students. Are there any additional requirements or fac …

Hi everyone! I'm a high school junior planning on taking the ACT soon. I was wondering if I should take the optional writing section. Do colleges care about the writing score, or should I just focus o …

Hey everyone! I've heard that some colleges offer interviews as part of the admissions process, but I'm not sure how important they are. Can someone explain the purpose of these interviews and how muc …

Hello! I'm a junior and I'm taking a few AP classes this year. I'm feeling a bit stressed about the exams coming up. What are some tips for preparing and studying effectively? Any advice would be appr …

Hi all! I'm a high school junior and I've been reading about the importance of having a 'spike' or a focused passion in the college admissions process. I have a variety of interests but I'm not sure i …

Hey guys! I'm trying to decide between loading up on AP classes next year or focusing on my passions such as music and art. Which would be more beneficial for college admissions? Would colleges prefer …

Hi everyone! I'm a high school junior and I just got my SAT scores back. They're not as high as I hoped, but I'm considering applying to test-optional colleges. Can I still get in if my score is lower …

Hello all! I'm a high school junior and I'm starting to work on my college essay. How important is the essay in the application process? I'm worried that if it's not perfect, it could hurt my chances. …

Hi all, I'm a junior who's starting to feel a bit overwhelmed by the college application process. I've heard that admissions officers have to read thousands of applications each year, so I'm wondering …

Hi guys! I'm a high school junior and I'm curious about how important class rank is for college admissions. My school ranks students, but I'm not in the top 10%. I have a good GPA and extracurriculars …

Hi there! I'm a junior, and I'm starting to work on my college applications. If I submit my application and later want to add additional materials (like an updated resume or new awards), is that possi …