CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hello! As a junior, I'm starting to create my college list and I want to make sure I have a good balance of reach, target, and safety schools. How many of each should I apply to? Any tips on finding t …

Hey there! I'm a junior, and I've been working part-time during high school to help my family financially. Will having a job be seen as a negative thing on my college applications, or will it be seen …

As a junior, I'm concerned that my GPA and test scores might not be as high as some colleges would like. What other aspects of my application should I focus on to compensate for these lower scores? An …

Hello! I've been researching college application timelines, and I'm a little confused about the difference between Early Action and Early Decision. Can someone explain the differences and the pros and …

Hey there! I'm a high school junior, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed about starting the Common App. Can anyone break down the steps for me and give me some advice on how to tackle this process? Than …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I've taken quite a few challenging AP courses during my high school years. However, I feel like my GPA isn't as high as it could be because of these classes. Will college …

Hey there, I'm a junior and I've been wondering whether colleges prefer to see a high GPA or a more challenging course load. I have the option to take some tougher classes next year, but I'm worried i …

Hey everyone! I'm trying to decide between a large university and a small college for my future studies. Can anyone share the pros and cons of each type of institution, based on your experiences or kn …

Hey there collegevine friends! I'm a junior in high school and I've been thinking a lot about college applications. My GPA isn't the best, but I'm really active in extracurricular activities and leade …

Hi guys! I'm currently a junior, and I've started brainstorming ideas for my college essays. I want to write something that stands out and showcases who I am, but I'm not sure where to begin. I'd appr …

Hey there! I've been researching colleges and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the options. How did you guys decide which college was the right fit for you? Any advice would be super helpful!

Hello collegevine! I'm curious about how much weight AP courses and exams have in the college admissions process. I've taken a few AP classes and plan on taking more next year. Should I prioritize get …

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I have a dream school in mind. I'm wondering what I can do to improve my chances of getting in. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hey, I'm a homeschooled junior and I'm curious about how colleges view homeschoolers during the admissions process. Are there any specific things I should focus on to make my application stand out? An …

Hi everyone! I'm starting to work on my Common App essay, and I was wondering how personal I should make it. Is it better to write about an emotionally significant event in my life, or should I focus …

I'm feeling a bit uncertain about whether or not I would be considered a legacy student by the colleges I'm applying to, and I'm curious about the criteria they use to determine legacy status. Can any …

Hello! I'm a high school junior, and I'm wondering whether I should apply early decision or regular decision to my top-choice college. What are the pros and cons of each? Would love to hear your thoug …

Hey everyone, I'm a high school junior, and I've been wondering how much extracurricular activities actually matter when it comes to college admissions. I'm involved in a few clubs at school, but I'm …

Hi all! I'm a junior and I've heard that applying Early Decision can improve your chances of getting into your dream school. How do I know if it's the right choice for me? I'm a little bit stressed ab …

I'm feeling a bit anxious about the college application process, and I'm curious about how being a first-generation college student might affect my chances of getting into a good school. Do colleges c …