CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


Can I write my college essay about a failure?

Hi everyone, I'm thinking about writing my college essay about a failure I experienced and how I learned from it. Is this a good topic, or will it make me seem like a weak candidate? I want to show my …

11 months ago

What should I be doing during college visits?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I'm planning on visiting some colleges soon. I want to make the most of my visits, but I'm not sure what I should be doing while I'm on campus. What are some things you did …

11 months ago

Can going to the gym be listed as an extracurricular activity?

Hi! I'm really into fitness and spend a lot of time at the gym working out. I'm not a part of any sports team, though. Can I list going to the gym as an extracurricular activity on my college applicat …

11 months ago

What are the benefits of applying Early Action?

Hey everyone! I'm a high school junior, and I've been hearing a lot about applying Early Action to colleges. I'm not quite sure what the benefits are, though. Can anyone explain why applying Early Act …

11 months ago

Can I write my college essay about a fictional character?

There's a fictional character that has had a huge impact on my life and personal growth. Is it okay to write my college essay about them, or would it be better to stick to real-life experiences? Thank …

11 months ago

How to best organize my time for managing college applications and schoolwork?

I'm starting to feel overwhelmed with balancing schoolwork, extracurriculars, and college applications. Any tips on how to best manage my time during junior and senior years so I don't burn out? Thank …

11 months ago

Can I get some advice on writing a strong college essay?

Hi all! I'm a junior and I'm starting to brainstorm ideas for my college essays. I'm a little bit stressed about choosing a topic that will make me stand out from other applicants. Do you have any tip …

11 months ago

How do I find a college with a strong support system for first-generation students?

Hi all, I'm a first-generation college student and I'm looking for a school with a strong support system to help me navigate the college experience. How can I find colleges that offer resources and pr …

11 months ago

How do I balance schoolwork and extracurriculars during the application process?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I'm already feeling overwhelmed by the college application process. How do you all manage to balance schoolwork, extracurriculars, and college applications? Any tips or s …

11 months ago

When is the best time to start applying for colleges?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior, and I'm a bit stressed about the college application timeline. When do you think is the best time for me to start applying for colleges? What should I work on now to prepar …

11 months ago

Will attending a community college first affect my chances of transferring to a four-year college?

Hey everyone! I'm considering attending a community college for my first two years before transferring to a four-year college. Will this affect my chances of getting into a good four-year college? I'm …

11 months ago

How many years can we expect financial aid to cover?

Hey everyone, I was wondering how many years does financial aid usually cover for undergraduate studies? I know it might vary between colleges, but is there any general information on this? Thanks in …

11 months ago

What resources are available for finding scholarships?

Hi everyone! I'm looking into scholarships to help pay for college, but I'm not sure where to start. What websites or resources would you recommend for finding available scholarships? I'd really appre …

11 months ago

How important are extracurriculars for top-tier colleges?

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 …

11 months ago

Can I use the same essay for multiple scholarship applications?

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?

11 months ago

How do colleges view test-optional applicants?

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 …

11 months ago

Should I retake the SAT if my score is just below the average for my top choice?

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 …

11 months ago

Do I need to visit every college on my list?

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 …

11 months ago

What's the best way to approach the 'Why Us?' college essay prompt?

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. …

11 months ago

Will colleges be using AI detectors for college essays?

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?

11 months ago
Displaying questions 114361-114380 of 116645 total
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.