CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hey guys! I recently took the ACT and my score is slightly below the average of my target schools. Should I retake the ACT to increase my chances of getting in, or focus on other parts of my applicati …

Hi everyone! I've been thinking about applying Early Decision to my dream school, but I'm worried about the binding aspect. Is it really worth it, and does it significantly increase my chances of gett …

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I recently took the SAT, but my score isn't as high as I'd like it to be. Should I retake the test? How many times is too many times to take it? I'm worried about how it wil …

Hey everyone, I've been actively participating in my school's choir for the past few years, and I'm wondering if that counts as an extracurricular activity when it comes to college applications? Does …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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?

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 …