CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hey, I'm wondering if colleges value consistency in extracurricular activities or if it's better to try a variety of different activities throughout high school? Which one would look better on a colle …

Hey everyone! I'm struggling with the conclusion of my college essay. Is it crucial to have a strong conclusion, or will I be fine if the rest of my essay is strong? Also, do you have any tips for cra …

Hi, I've been practicing yoga regularly for a couple of years now. Would you consider this as an extracurricular activity? Should I include it in my college application? Thanks!

Hey there, I'm a junior and I've been stressing a bit about my SAT and ACT scores. I'm wondering how important they really are when it comes to college admissions. Should I be dedicating more time to …

Hi everyone, I'm a bit stressed about my college essay and I was wondering if using contractions (like 'I'm', 'didn't', etc.) is okay? I want my essay to sound casual and conversational, but I don't w …

Hey guys! Affording college is an important factor for me and my family, and I'm looking for schools with generous financial aid packages. How can I research and find colleges that consistently offer …

I've taken the SAT twice and I'm considering taking it a third time to try and raise my score. Will colleges look down on the fact that I've taken it multiple times? Or do they only really care about …

I've struggled with mental health issues throughout high school, and I feel like it's an important part of my story. However, I'm worried that writing about this in my college essay could make me seem …

Hello! I'm starting my college search and wondering what resources are available to help me find the right fit? Any websites, books, or other tools that you've found helpful would be greatly appreciat …

Hi all, I'm considering the IB diploma program, but I'm not exactly sure how many HL courses I need to take. If anyone has insights on this or advice on choosing HL courses, please share! Thank you!

Hey everyone, I'm a junior in high school and I'm trying to decide which standardized test to take: the SAT or ACT. How do I determine which test is better suited for my strengths and weaknesses? Any …

Hey there, I'm in the process of putting together my college list, and I've noticed that I'm drawn to schools with smaller class sizes. However, there are some larger universities I'm interested in as …

Hey all, I'm a junior beginning the college application process, and I'm wondering if anyone has experience with private college counselors. Are they worth the investment? Thanks for sharing your thou …

Hey guys, I'm going to have some college interviews in the coming months, and I'm a bit nervous since I've never been great at interviews. Does anyone have any tips or resources for improving my inter …

Hey everyone, I'm really into traveling and have spent a good amount of my free time exploring different countries with my family. I was wondering if colleges would view this as an extracurricular or …

Hey all, I'm planning my college application strategy and I'm a bit confused about the difference between Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA). Can I apply to both ED and EA at the same time? If …

Hey! I've heard some chatter about colleges potentially using AI detectors to scan application essays for plagiarism. I'm not planning to plagiarize, but I am a bit concerned about the technology givi …

Hello! I'm a junior in high school, and I've been working a part-time job for a while now. I'm wondering if colleges care about this kind of experience? Will it help my application stand out? Thank yo …

Hello! As I start researching colleges, I've been thinking a lot about finding a college that matches my learning style. I want to attend a college where I can thrive academically, but I don't know ho …

Hi guys! I'm trying to decide if I should apply Early Action or Early Decision to my top choice college. What are the differences and what should I consider when making this decision? Thanks for your …