CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hey guys! So, I'm a junior and I've been working hard on my academics, but I'm a little stressed about my extracurriculars. I have a couple of clubs and volunteer work, but nothing super unique. How i …

I've written a really strong essay for one scholarship application, and I'm wondering if it's okay to use the same essay for other scholarships. Is this frowned upon or is it a common practice?

Hi there! I'm a junior and I'm considering applying to some test-optional schools. My SAT score isn't as high as I'd like, so I'm wondering if it's better to apply without it. How do colleges view tes …

Hi everyone, I recently took the SAT and my score is just below the average for my top choice college. I'm a junior, so I still have time to retake the test. Is it worth it to retake the SAT if I'm ju …

Hi all! I've heard that visiting colleges is an important part of the admissions process, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to visit every school on my list. Is it necessary to visit each college, or a …

Hi! I'm a junior, and I've seen that many colleges have a 'Why Us?' essay prompt. I'm not sure how to approach this question without sounding generic or like I'm just listing facts from their website. …

I heard that some colleges might be using AI detectors to check the authenticity of college essays. Is this true? If so, what measures should we take to make sure our essays pass the AI detector?

Hello! I'm a junior, and I've taken the SAT, but my score is lower than I hoped. I'm a little bit stressed about how this will affect my college applications. What are some things I can do to strength …

Hi all, I'm a junior and I've been considering applying to multiple Ivy League schools. I've heard that this can hurt your chances of getting into any of them. Is this true? Any advice would be helpfu …

I have a funny story that I think would make a great college essay, but I'm not sure if humor is appropriate for this type of writing. Do you guys think it's okay to include humor in a college essay o …

Hey guys! I'm a junior, and I'm just starting to work with my college counselor. What exactly is their role, and how can they help me with the college application process? What should I expect from th …

Hi everyone! I'm starting to think about who I should ask for teacher recommendations for my college applications. How much weight do teacher recommendations carry in the admissions process? Thanks fo …

Hey there, I'm a community college transfer student preparing to apply to four-year colleges. Should I include my high school GPA, activities, and awards on my applications, or only focus on my achiev …

Hi all! I participated in a study abroad program last summer and was wondering if this qualifies as an extracurricular activity on my college applications. Any advice is appreciated, thank you!

I'm thinking about applying early decision to one of my top-choice colleges, but I'm not sure how to make the final decision. What factors should I consider when choosing an early decision school, and …

Hey everyone! I have a YouTube channel where I make educational content and it's been somewhat successful. I'm wondering if I should include it on my college application and, if so, how much weight it …

Hey guys! I'm struggling to find my own 'voice' while writing my college essays. I want to sound genuine and authentic, but I'm not sure how to achieve that. Any tips or advice on finding my voice and …

Hello, I'm a junior and I'm having some trouble meeting a college application deadline due to unforeseen circumstances. Can anyone offer advice on how to request an extension from the admissions offic …

Hey all, I have been tutoring some younger students in math after school. Can I list tutoring as one of my extracurricular activities on my college application? Thanks in advance for your help!

I've written an essay that I think is really strong and I'm planning to use it for my college applications. Can I also submit it for different scholarship opportunities, or should I write a new essay …