CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


Would reading as a hobby count as an extracurricular activity?

Hi there! I'm an avid reader and wanted to know if my passion for reading falls under the category of extracurricular activities when applying to colleges. Should I include this information in my appl …

a year ago

How to address a gap in my academic record?

Hey everyone, I had to take a semester off during my sophomore year due to health issues that greatly affected my academics. How can I best address this gap in my college applications? Thank you for y …

a year ago

Can I use contractions in my college application essay?

Hello everyone! I'm writing my college essay and I noticed that I tend to use contractions quite often. Is it considered informal or unprofessional to use contractions in a college essay? Should I rew …

a year ago

How do I decide if I should apply to a school with a binding Early Decision policy?

Hey guys! I'm a junior, and I've been considering applying to a school with a binding Early Decision policy. I'm not sure if this is the right choice for me, as I'm worried about committing without kn …

a year ago

How should I pick a college if I'm undecided about my major?

Hey guys! I'm not entirely sure what field I want to major in yet, so I'm a bit stuck on how to choose a college. What factors should I consider when making my decision? Thanks for any suggestions!

a year ago

How bad do my grades have to be for a university to rescind my acceptance?

Hello, I hope you all are doing well! I was recently accepted to a prestigious university. However, I'm really worried about my current grades slipping, and I wanted to know: what on earth could make …

a year ago

What's the best approach to writing college essays?

As a junior, I've been starting to think about college essays. However, I'm not really sure about the best approach to take while writing them. How do I pick the right topic or angle to stand out with …

a year ago

Will switching high schools mid-way through affect my college admissions?

Hello all, I'm moving to a new city and switching high schools during my junior year. I'm worried about the impact that this switch might have on my college applications. How do colleges look at stude …

a year ago

When should I start drafting my personal statement?

As a high school junior, I'm just starting to think about the college application process. When is the best time to begin drafting my personal statement? Should I wait until senior year or start now? …

a year ago

Is it too late to join extracurriculars as a junior?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior in high school, and I feel like my extracurricular activities are somewhat lacking. I've been involved in a few clubs, but I haven't taken any leadership positions or partici …

a year ago

How important is my high school's reputation in college admissions?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior, and I've been wondering how much my high school's reputation matters in the college admissions process. My school is not very well-known, and I'm worried that it might hurt …

a year ago

Should I apply for ROTC?

I'm interested in joining the military after college, but I'm not sure whether to apply for ROTC right away or wait until I'm in college. What are the pros and cons of each approach? Would ROTC be a s …

a year ago

Do community colleges require essays?

Hello everyone! I'm considering applying to a community college as a backup option, but I'm not sure if they require essays as part of their application process. Can anyone tell me if community colleg …

a year ago

How do I decide if I should double major?

I'm thinking about applying to college as a psychology major, but I'm also very interested in computer science. Is it feasible to double major in these two subjects, or would I be better off pursuing …

a year ago

What specific qualities do Ivy League schools look for in applicants?

Hey guys, I'm really interested in applying to Ivy League colleges and want to make my application as strong as possible. Does anyone know what specific qualities or aspects of the application these s …

a year ago

How do I decide on a safety, target, and reach school?

Hey guys! As a junior, I'm starting to research colleges and I'm unsure about how to categorize them as safety, target, or reach schools. What factors should I consider when deciding which category a …

a year ago

How to demonstrate interest without in-person college visits?

Hi there! I'm a junior and unfortunately it's not financially feasible for me to visit all the schools on my list. How can I show my interest in a college without physically visiting? Would appreciate …

a year ago

Impact of taking college courses during high school?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior, and I've taken a few college courses at a local community college in addition to my regular high school coursework. How do colleges view these kinds of courses when evaluati …

a year ago

What are some tips for writing a strong 'Why this college' essay?

Hey guys, I'm working on my college essays and I need to write a 'Why this college' essay for a few of the schools on my list. Does anyone have any tips for making this type of essay stand out? I want …

a year ago

Do colleges prefer AP or dual enrollment courses?

Hey all, I'm a junior who's trying to plan out my senior year classes. My school offers both AP and dual enrollment courses, but I'm unsure which one colleges prefer. Is one better than the other in t …

a year 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.