CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hey all! I've been practicing yoga consistently for a few years now and have even attended some workshops and training sessions. Can I include yoga as an extracurricular activity on my college applica …

Hi all, I'm a junior and I've been hearing a lot about the SAT and ACT lately. When do you think is the best time to start studying for these tests? I want to make sure I give myself enough time to pr …

I'm a junior struggling to decide if I should take AP classes next year or focus on maintaining a high GPA. What's more important for college admissions: taking AP classes or having a high GPA? Thanks …

Hi all! I'm currently in my junior year and I've started looking for colleges that I'd like to apply to. I'm trying to find some research universities that have a strong liberal arts feel to them. Any …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior in high school, and I'm wondering if I should start applying for college scholarships now or wait until my senior year. Is there a benefit to applying early? Thanks for any a …

Hey guys! I'm really into drawing and painting, and I'm in my school's art club. Do you think this could be considered an extracurricular activity? If so, can I include it on my college application?

Hi everyone! I'm a high school junior, and I'm starting to think about the college application process. I'm not entirely sure what I want to major in yet, and I'm wondering if that's going to hurt my …

Hi all, I've been dreaming of going to Princeton, but my grades aren't exactly stellar. I do have strong test scores and several best-in-state awards. Is there any chance I could get in if I put toget …

Hi, I'm a junior trying to plan my schedule for senior year, and I'm curious about the IB Diploma requirements. How many Higher Level (HL) courses do I need to take in order to qualify for the diploma …

I'm applying for several scholarships, and I was wondering if it's okay to submit the same essay to different scholarships. Do they check for this kind of thing, or is it alright as long as the essay …

Hey there! I participated in a study abroad program last summer and I'm wondering if it would be considered an extracurricular activity for college applications? It was a great experience and I learne …

Hi there! I'm a junior and I want to make sure I get strong letters of recommendation for my college applications. What's the best way to approach teachers and ask for a recommendation? Any tips would …

Hello! I just got my AP scores back, and I have mostly 5s, but one 4. I'm worried that this 4 might hurt my chances when applying to Ivy League schools. Should I be concerned or is a 4 still considere …

Hi everyone! I'm working on my college essay and I want to use some abbreviations to keep it concise. Is that okay, or should I spell everything out? I don't want it to seem unprofessional. Thanks for …

Hi all! I've been singing in my school's choir for a couple of years now, and I was wondering if it can be considered as an extracurricular activity while applying to college? Thanks for your help!

I want to write about a failure I experienced and how I learned from it. But I'm afraid it might make me look weak or not good enough for college. How can I frame the failure in a positive light, and …

My ACT score is currently within the middle 50% range for my top choice school. Is it worth retaking the test in an attempt to improve my score, or is it better to focus on other aspects of my applica …

Hey everyone, I'm starting to draft my college essays and I'm wondering if anyone has some advice on how to write a compelling and unique essay that will really grab the attention of admissions office …

Hi everyone, I'm a first-generation immigrant and I want to write my college essay about my experiences adjusting to life in the US. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions for how to approach this t …

Hi friends! I'm a junior, and I still don't know what I want to major in. Is that normal? How do I choose a college if I don't know what I want to study? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!