CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


How much does my high school's reputation matter to colleges?

Hey! I'm a junior and my high school isn't very well-known or highly ranked in terms of academics. I was wondering how much colleges care about the reputation of the high school you're applying from. …

11 months ago

How can I showcase my passion for computer science on my college application?

Hey all, I'm a junior who wants to major in computer science when I apply to college. How can I show my passion for the subject both in and outside of the classroom? Thanks for your help!

11 months ago

Do colleges require essays to be in MLA format?

I'm in the middle of writing my college essay, and I'm wondering if I need to format it in MLA style? Or is there a certain format colleges expect us to use when we submit our essays? Does it even mat …

11 months ago

How much do college essays really matter?

Hello everyone, I've been stressing over my college essays recently, and I'm curious how much they actually matter in the admissions process. Are they just one aspect of the application that doesn't h …

11 months ago

Should I take the SAT or ACT? What are the differences?

Hey guys! I'm a junior and I'm planning to take a standardized test soon, but I'm not sure whether I should take the SAT or ACT. Can anyone explain the main differences between the two and help me dec …

11 months ago

AP vs. IB: Which is more difficult?

Hey guys, I'm a junior trying to decide between AP and IB courses for my senior year and I was wondering if one program is generally considered more difficult than the other. What are your experiences …

11 months ago

Is volunteering at my local church considered an extracurricular activity?

Hey guys! I've been volunteering at my local church as a youth leader for the past couple of years, and I was wondering if that would be considered an extracurricular activity when applying to college …

11 months ago

Are abbreviations okay in college essays?

Hi! I'm polishing my college essay and I noticed that I have a couple of abbreviations in there. Is it okay to use abbreviations in a college essay, or should I write everything out? Thank you for you …

11 months ago

What's the best way to approach college visits?

Hi everyone! My parents and I are planning on visiting some colleges this summer, and I'm not quite sure what to expect. What should I be looking for during these visits, and how can I make the most o …

11 months ago

Do colleges care about AP or IB courses more?

Hello everyone! I'm a high school junior, and I've been wondering: do colleges prefer students who take AP courses or those who take the IB program? I've been taking a mix of both, and I'm not sure if …

11 months ago

How to choose between need-based and merit-based scholarships?

Hey guys! I'm a junior, and I'm starting to research scholarships. I've seen both need-based and merit-based scholarships, but I'm not sure which one I should focus on. What are the key differences be …

11 months ago

Is a job considered an extracurricular activity?

Hi everyone, I have a part-time job after school, and I'm wondering if that can be considered an extracurricular activity for my college applications? Thanks for any input you can provide!

11 months ago

How do colleges verify volunteer hours?

Hey guys! I've done a lot of volunteer work throughout high school, and I'm wondering how colleges verify the hours I've put in. Do they contact the organizations I've worked with, or do I need to pro …

11 months ago

What are some common mistakes to avoid in my college application?

I want to make sure I'm putting my best foot forward in my college applications. Are there any common mistakes that I should be aware of and avoid? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

11 months ago

What are some tips for asking teachers for letters of recommendation?

I need to ask some of my teachers for letters of recommendation, but I'm not sure how to approach them. Any advice on how to ask for a recommendation in a polite and effective way?

11 months ago

What are some common cliches to avoid in college essays?

I want to make sure my college essay is original and stands out from the thousands of other applicants. What are some cliches or overused topics that I should avoid including in my essay? Any advice w …

11 months ago

Can practicing yoga be considered an extracurricular activity?

I've been practicing yoga for several years and have even participated in some local competitions. Is this something that could be considered an extracurricular activity on my college applications?

11 months ago

Is there a specific topic that colleges prefer in application essays?

Hi everyone, I'm struggling to choose a topic for my college essay. I was wondering if there's any specific topic that colleges prefer or a certain theme I should focus on? Thanks in advance!

11 months ago

Is it better to take AP courses or focus on maintaining a high GPA?

Hey guys! I'm trying to decide between taking some challenging AP courses or focusing on maintaining a high GPA by taking regular classes. What do you think colleges prefer? Thanks for your help!

11 months ago

Is it a good idea to apply to a lot of colleges?

Hey everyone! I've been thinking about how many colleges I should apply to, and I'm not sure what the right number is. Some people say to apply to as many as possible, while others suggest focusing on …

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.