CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Explore our collection of admissions FAQs. Each answer is expert-approved by our team to help you reach your goals.


What can I do over the summer to strengthen my college applications?

Hello! I'm a junior and I want to make good use of my summer break to improve my college applications. What are some activities or programs you'd recommend to help strengthen my application? Thanks in …

11 months ago

Do colleges prefer a higher GPA or more challenging courses?

Hi fellow high school students and collegevine experts! I'm a junior and I've been taking a mix of honors and AP classes throughout my high school career. My GPA is pretty good, but I'm wondering if c …

11 months ago

How to Stand Out on the Common App?

My GPA, test scores, and extracurricular activities are all good, but I'm worried about standing out from the crowd when I apply to competitive schools like Stanford and Harvard. How can I make my app …

11 months ago

Do colleges use AI detectors to catch plagiarism in essays?

With technology getting more advanced, I'm a little worried about accidental plagiarism since I tend to discuss popular topics in my essays. Does anyone know if colleges are using AI detectors to find …

11 months ago

Is it important to have a specific career goal when applying to college?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I'm unsure about my future career goals. Is it important to have a clear career goal when applying to college, or is it okay to be undecided? Thank you!

11 months ago

Are transfer applications to Ivy League schools easier?

I'm currently at a decent college, but I've been considering transferring to an Ivy League school. I was wondering if any of you have experience or know if it's easier to get accepted as a transfer st …

11 months ago

Is a 1480 SAT score competitive for Ivy League admission?

Hello! I took the SAT and scored a 1480, which I feel good about. However, I'm concerned that it may not be impressive enough for Ivy League applications. Should I try to improve my score, or is a 148 …

11 months ago

Is yoga an acceptable extracurricular activity?

Hey all! I've been practicing yoga consistently for a few years now and have even attended some workshops and training sessions. Can I include yoga as an extracurricular activity on my college applica …

11 months ago

When should I start studying for the SAT or ACT?

Hi all, I'm a junior and I've been hearing a lot about the SAT and ACT lately. When do you think is the best time to start studying for these tests? I want to make sure I give myself enough time to pr …

11 months ago

Should I take AP classes or focus on my GPA?

I'm a junior struggling to decide if I should take AP classes next year or focus on maintaining a high GPA. What's more important for college admissions: taking AP classes or having a high GPA? Thanks …

11 months ago

Need help finding research universities with a liberal arts feel?

Hi all! I'm currently in my junior year and I've started looking for colleges that I'd like to apply to. I'm trying to find some research universities that have a strong liberal arts feel to them. Any …

11 months ago

Should I apply for college scholarships now or wait until senior year?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior in high school, and I'm wondering if I should start applying for college scholarships now or wait until my senior year. Is there a benefit to applying early? Thanks for any a …

11 months ago

Does being involved in art count as an extracurricular activity?

Hey guys! I'm really into drawing and painting, and I'm in my school's art club. Do you think this could be considered an extracurricular activity? If so, can I include it on my college application?

11 months ago

Do I need to declare a major before applying to college?

Hi everyone! I'm a high school junior, and I'm starting to think about the college application process. I'm not entirely sure what I want to major in yet, and I'm wondering if that's going to hurt my …

11 months ago

Getting into Princeton with subpar grades?

Hi all, I've been dreaming of going to Princeton, but my grades aren't exactly stellar. I do have strong test scores and several best-in-state awards. Is there any chance I could get in if I put toget …

11 months ago

What's the required number of HL courses for the IB Diploma?

Hi, I'm a junior trying to plan my schedule for senior year, and I'm curious about the IB Diploma requirements. How many Higher Level (HL) courses do I need to take in order to qualify for the diploma …

11 months ago

Can I send the same essay to multiple scholarships?

I'm applying for several scholarships, and I was wondering if it's okay to submit the same essay to different scholarships. Do they check for this kind of thing, or is it alright as long as the essay …

11 months ago

Does participating in a study abroad program count as an extracurricular?

Hey there! I participated in a study abroad program last summer and I'm wondering if it would be considered an extracurricular activity for college applications? It was a great experience and I learne …

11 months ago

How do I go about getting strong letters of recommendation?

Hi there! I'm a junior and I want to make sure I get strong letters of recommendation for my college applications. What's the best way to approach teachers and ask for a recommendation? Any tips would …

11 months ago

Is an AP score of 4 good enough for Ivy League admissions?

Hello! I just got my AP scores back, and I have mostly 5s, but one 4. I'm worried that this 4 might hurt my chances when applying to Ivy League schools. Should I be concerned or is a 4 still considere …

11 months ago
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About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.