CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


Is using dialogue in a college essay allowed?

Hello everyone, I'm writing my college essay and I was thinking of including some dialogue to make it more engaging. Is this a good idea or should I avoid using dialogue? I'd appreciate any thoughts o …

11 months ago

Does applying Early Decision (ED) really increase my chances of getting accepted?

Hello! So, I'm a junior and I've been researching about applying to colleges through Early Decision. I've heard that it might increase my chances of getting accepted, but I'm not entirely sure if it's …

11 months ago

How personal should I get in my college essay?

Hey everyone, I'm working on my college essay and I'm not sure how personal I should get. I want to be genuine and share my story, but I also don't want to overshare or make the reader uncomfortable. …

11 months ago

Is it better to apply for an honors program or to a more selective college?

Hey guys, I'm a junior, and I'm considering applying to some honors programs at state schools, as well as more selective private colleges. I'm not sure which option is better for me in terms of academ …

11 months ago

How can I best utilize my summer before senior year?

Hi all, I'm a junior and I want to make the most of my summer before senior year. What activities or experiences should I focus on to strengthen my college application? Thanks for any advice, and Coll …

11 months ago

How do I choose a topic for my college essay?

I'm struggling to come up with a topic for my college essay that will make me stand out. How did you guys choose your essay topics, and do you have any tips for finding a unique and interesting idea? …

11 months ago

What should my personal essay focus on?

Hey guys, I'm starting to brainstorm ideas for my personal essay, but I'm having trouble figuring out what to focus on. How do I choose a topic that truly represents me and makes me stand out to colle …

11 months ago

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
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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.