CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


Should I take AP courses in subjects I'm not interested in?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I'm trying to plan my senior year schedule. I've heard that taking AP courses can look good on college applications, but some of the subjects don't interest me. Should I …

a year ago

What's the best way to approach the Common App essay?

Hi there! I'm a junior starting to think about the college application process, and the Common App essay seems pretty daunting. I've heard that it's really important, but I'm not sure how to approach …

a year ago

Can I write a poem for my college essay?

Hello everyone! I love writing poetry, and I'm considering submitting a poem as my college essay. Do you think this is a good idea, or should I stick to a more traditional essay format? I want to show …

a year ago

How do I prepare for college admissions interviews?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about college admissions interviews. I'm pretty nervous about this part of the process and I'm not sure how to prepare. Does anyone have any tips o …

a year ago

Is applying to college as an undecided major a disadvantage?

Hi there! I'm not sure what I want to major in yet, and I'm wondering if applying as an undecided major will hurt my chances of getting into college. Do colleges prefer students who have a clear idea …

a year ago

Do college essays need to be in MLA format?

Hi all, I'm starting to write my college essay and I was wondering if it needs to be in MLA format? I know we use MLA for most of our high school essays, but I'm not sure if it's necessary for college …

a year ago

Are abbreviations acceptable in college essays?

Hey everyone, I'm working on my college essay and I'm not sure if I should use abbreviations for certain terms. Is it considered informal or is it acceptable? Thanks!

a year ago

Is it okay to use swear words in my college essay?

Hey everyone, I've got a story I want to share in my college essay and there's a part where using a swear word might emphasize the emotions and situation better. Is it acceptable to include it or shou …

a year ago

Should I apply to more reach, match, or safety schools?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior and I'm starting to create my college list. I'm not sure what the balance should be between reach, match, and safety schools. Can anyone offer some guidance? Thanks in advan …

a year ago

Should I retake the SAT/ACT if my score is already decent?

Hi there, I'm a junior and I recently took the SAT/ACT. My score is decent, but I'm wondering if it's worth retaking the test to try for a higher score. Will colleges look favorably on multiple attemp …

a year ago

Can I still get into a top college with a low GPA?

Hello, I'm a junior and I'm a little bit stressed about my GPA. It's lower than I would like, and I'm worried that it might hurt my chances of getting into a top college. Are there any other factors t …

a year ago

How important are college visits?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about which colleges to apply to. I'm wondering how important college visits are in the admissions process and if I should try to visit all the sch …

a year ago

What is the best way to study for the ACT?

Hey guys! I'm planning to take the ACT soon, and I want to make sure I'm prepared. What are some good study tips or resources you've found helpful for the ACT? Thanks in advance for your help!

a year ago

How do I prepare for SAT/ACT testing?

Hi everyone! I'm a high school junior, and I'm planning on taking the SAT/ACT soon. I'm a little bit stressed about it and I want to make sure I'm prepared. What are some good study tips or resources …

a year ago

How do I prepare for my college interviews?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I've heard that college interviews can be really important. I'm a little nervous about them, and I'm not sure how to prepare. Do you have any tips or advice on how to get re …

a year ago

How do I create a balanced college application list?

Hey guys! I'm a high school junior and I'm working on creating my college application list. How many reach, match, and safety schools should I include? How can I make sure that my list is balanced and …

a year ago

Should I retake the SAT/ACT if my score is lower than I wanted?

Hello! I recently got my SAT/ACT scores back and they're a bit lower than I was hoping for. I'm considering retaking the test, but I'm not sure if it's worth the time and effort. Do you think it's a g …

a year ago

What should I do during the summer to improve my college applications?

Hey everyone, I'm looking for some advice on what I should be doing during the summer to make my college applications stronger. I want to make the most of my time and have a productive summer. Are the …

a year ago

Should my college essays be double spaced?

I'm in the process of writing my college essays and I'm not sure if I should double space them or not. What's the standard format for college essays? Thanks in advance!

a year ago

Do colleges check for plagiarism in application essays?

Hi all, I'm curious about how colleges handle plagiarism in application essays. Do they use plagiarism detection software or do they rely on admissions officers to notice when something seems off? Tha …

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.