CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hi all! I'm a junior and I'm already stressed about how to balance my time next year between schoolwork and college applications. How did you guys manage to stay on top of everything? Any time managem …

Hi everyone! I'm currently a high school junior and I'm wondering whether I should take the SAT or ACT. I've heard different opinions on which one is better. Can someone please give me some advice? Th …

Hey everyone, I'm a junior, and I've heard that some colleges only accept one letter of recommendation. Can I submit more than one, or should I focus on getting just one really strong letter? Thanks f …

Hello! I'm currently preparing my college applications and I'm interested in applying to several BS/MD programs. I have a great idea for my Common App essay, but it doesn't directly relate to medicine …

Hi everyone! I'm a high school junior from outside the US, and I'm considering applying to colleges in the United States. How does the application process differ for international students, and what s …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I'm working on my college applications. I've heard that some colleges prefer well-rounded applicants while others prefer students with a specific focus. Is this true, and …

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I've been wondering if it's more important to have a high GPA or to take challenging courses when applying to college. Should I prioritize maintaining a high GPA or should I …

Hey there! I'm a junior in high school and I'm starting to think about the possibility of being deferred or waitlisted when I apply to college. How do I write a strong letter of continued interest to …

Hey guys! I'm a junior, and I'm starting to think about applying for financial aid. What should I know about the process? Are there any tips or resources you'd recommend? Thanks so much!

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I've heard that some colleges require interviews as part of the application process. I tend to get nervous during interviews, so I want to make sure I'm well-prepared. Do yo …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior, and I've been looking into summer programs to attend before my senior year. I'm wondering how important these programs are for college admissions. Do colleges view summer pr …

Hi everyone, I'm a high school junior and I've been wondering if it's better to have a high GPA or take challenging coursework. I've heard that colleges like to see challenging courses, but I'm worrie …

Hello everyone! I'm a junior and I'm researching different college application options. How do I know if I should apply to a college through Early Action or Regular Decision? What are the pros and con …

Hello all! I'm a high school junior and I'm trying to decide whether to take a more challenging course load or focus on maintaining a high GPA. Which do colleges value more – challenging courses or a …

Hi everyone, I'm a junior in high school and I'm starting to research colleges. How did you guys decide which colleges were the right fit for you, and do you have any tips or advice for finding the pe …

Hi everyone! I'm in the process of creating my college list, and I'm having a hard time figuring out how to balance it with reach, target, and safety schools. CollegeVine, can you give me some advice …

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I've been considering taking a gap year before college. I'm not sure if it's the right choice for me, though. Can anyone share their experiences with gap years or any ad …

Hi! I'm currently a junior, and I want to make sure I'm on track for the college application process. When should I start preparing things like my personal statement, letters of recommendation, and su …

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about college essays. How important is the 'Why this college?' essay in the admissions process? Should I spend a lot of time researching and crafti …

Hello, I'm a junior in high school, and I'm trying to plan my testing schedule. Is it necessary to take both the SAT and ACT, or should I just focus on one? What do colleges prefer? Thanks for any adv …