CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


What should I focus on as an aspiring pre-med student planning college applications?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior planning on pursuing pre-med in college, and I'm starting to work on my applications. Are there any specific things I should focus on in my application to increase my chance …

11 months ago

Should I avoid using contractions in my college essay?

I'm currently editing my college essay and I noticed that I've used some contractions throughout the text. Is this considered informal for a college essay? Should I change them to their full forms or …

11 months ago

Can I use first person in my college essay?

Hey everyone, I'm writing my college essay and I want to make sure it's okay to use 'I' and tell my story from a first-person perspective. Is this acceptable or should I stick to third person?

11 months ago

Is it okay to submit the same essay for multiple scholarship applications?

I'm applying for several scholarships and some of the essay prompts are pretty similar. Is it acceptable to submit the same essay for multiple scholarships, or should I write a unique one for each? I …

11 months ago

Any advice for writing the 'Why This College' essay?

Hello! I'm working on my college essays right now, and I'm stuck on the 'Why This College' prompt. Can anyone share their strategies for writing a convincing and unique essay for this prompt?

11 months ago

Do colleges value consistency in extracurricular activities?

Hey, I'm wondering if colleges value consistency in extracurricular activities or if it's better to try a variety of different activities throughout high school? Which one would look better on a colle …

11 months ago

Do I need a strong conclusion for my college essay?

Hey everyone! I'm struggling with the conclusion of my college essay. Is it crucial to have a strong conclusion, or will I be fine if the rest of my essay is strong? Also, do you have any tips for cra …

11 months ago

Is practicing yoga an extracurricular activity?

Hi, I've been practicing yoga regularly for a couple of years now. Would you consider this as an extracurricular activity? Should I include it in my college application? Thanks!

11 months ago

How important are standardized test scores in the admissions process?

Hey there, I'm a junior and I've been stressing a bit about my SAT and ACT scores. I'm wondering how important they really are when it comes to college admissions. Should I be dedicating more time to …

11 months ago

Is it acceptable to use contractions in a college essay?

Hi everyone, I'm a bit stressed about my college essay and I was wondering if using contractions (like 'I'm', 'didn't', etc.) is okay? I want my essay to sound casual and conversational, but I don't w …

11 months ago

How do I find colleges with good financial aid packages?

Hey guys! Affording college is an important factor for me and my family, and I'm looking for schools with generous financial aid packages. How can I research and find colleges that consistently offer …

11 months ago

Do colleges care about how many times you take the SAT?

I've taken the SAT twice and I'm considering taking it a third time to try and raise my score. Will colleges look down on the fact that I've taken it multiple times? Or do they only really care about …

11 months ago

Is it a bad idea to write about mental health issues in my college essay?

I've struggled with mental health issues throughout high school, and I feel like it's an important part of my story. However, I'm worried that writing about this in my college essay could make me seem …

11 months ago

What resources can help with my college search?

Hello! I'm starting my college search and wondering what resources are available to help me find the right fit? Any websites, books, or other tools that you've found helpful would be greatly appreciat …

11 months ago

How many HL courses for IB diploma?

Hi all, I'm considering the IB diploma program, but I'm not exactly sure how many HL courses I need to take. If anyone has insights on this or advice on choosing HL courses, please share! Thank you!

11 months ago

How do I choose which standardized test to take: the SAT or ACT?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior in high school and I'm trying to decide which standardized test to take: the SAT or ACT. How do I determine which test is better suited for my strengths and weaknesses? Any …

11 months ago

If I have a preference for smaller class sizes, should I still consider large universities?

Hey there, I'm in the process of putting together my college list, and I've noticed that I'm drawn to schools with smaller class sizes. However, there are some larger universities I'm interested in as …

11 months ago

Has anyone used a private college counselor?

Hey all, I'm a junior beginning the college application process, and I'm wondering if anyone has experience with private college counselors. Are they worth the investment? Thanks for sharing your thou …

11 months ago

How can I improve my college interview skills?

Hey guys, I'm going to have some college interviews in the coming months, and I'm a bit nervous since I've never been great at interviews. Does anyone have any tips or resources for improving my inter …

11 months ago

Could traveling be considered as an extracurricular activity?

Hey everyone, I'm really into traveling and have spent a good amount of my free time exploring different countries with my family. I was wondering if colleges would view this as an extracurricular or …

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.