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CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


Struggling with how to dive into my personal statement – any tips?

Hey everyone, I’m kinda overwhelmed about starting my personal statement for my college apps. I’m not even sure what makes a good opening or how to grab the reader’s attention. Could you guys share so …

2 years ago

Seeking advice: What makes a college essay truly unique?

I'm a little stressed because I want my college essay to stand out. What elements can I incorporate into my essay to really showcase my uniqueness?

2 years ago

Pros and cons of applying Regular Decision after not succeeding with Early Action?

Hi guys! Recently got deferred from my Early Action school (bummer, I know), and I'm putting together my Regular Decision apps now. Does anyone have insight into any potential disadvantages of going t …

2 years ago

Is it ever appropriate to use profanity in a college essay?

Okay, hypothetical situation: if I'm writing about a really challenging moment and I want to convey the raw emotions I felt, is it ever okay to use mild curse words in a college essay or is that a har …

2 years ago

Prepping for AP Art History—Exam Length?

Hey everyone, artsy junior here, and as AP exams loom on the horizon, a quick q: How long is the AP Art History exam? Don't want to hit a creative block halfway through, so I'm trying to plan my menta …

2 years ago

Plagiarism checks on application essays: How do they do it?

So, writing isn't exactly my strong suit, and I'm struggling with my essay. I heard that colleges check for plagiarism, but how exactly does that work? I'm not planning on copying anything; just want …

2 years ago

What grad programs do architecture students typically get into?

Hi folks! So, I'm planning on majoring in architecture and I'm really curious about what kinds of graduate programs other architecture undergrads have gotten accepted into. Has anyone got examples or …

2 years ago

Decoding the 'Community' Essay Prompt

Could use some help here – when a college asks 'What does community mean to you?' in their essay prompts, what are they looking for exactly? I've participated in different groups but not sure if I sho …

2 years ago

Any insider tips on what makes a college essay stand out?

Trying not to freak out, but does anyone have advice on key elements that can really make a college essay memorable and compelling? What do admission officers typically look for in a 'good' essay?

2 years ago

Profile of Accepted Students to the University of Virginia?

Hey fam, could anyone tell me what the typical profile looks like for students who get accepted into UVA? More specifically, what kind of GPA and extracurriculars do they have? I want to see how I sta …

2 years ago

What to pack for AP exam day – advice needed!

Last minute cramming aside, I'm stumped about what essentials to bring on AP exam day. Can someone run me through a checklist so I don't forget anything crucial (like my brain) at home?

2 years ago

Strategies for Crafting a Compelling College Essay?

Hey everyone, I'm trying to plan ahead for my college applications, and I've been thinking a lot about my main college essay. Could anyone share what elements they think should absolutely be in there? …

2 years ago

What if I score a 2 on my AP exam?

This might be kind of a dumb question, but I'm really curious. What does scoring a 2 on an AP exam mean for college admissions? Do you still get credit, or is it seen as a failing score? Quelling my n …

2 years ago

Survival Tips for AP Euro Exam?

AP Euro peers! As the exam approaches, the amount of content feels overwhelming. Could you share the methods or tools you're using to study? Any specific resources that simplify the historical timelin …

2 years ago

Schools with co-op programs like Northeastern University?

I'm super interested in Northeastern because of their co-op program that integrates work experience with study. Are there other universities out there with similar programs that can help me gain profe …

2 years ago

How does ROTC evaluate GPA and test scores for eligibility?

I'm interested in joining ROTC in college, but I'm not entirely sure about the academic expectations. Can someone who's familiar with the ROTC application process tell me how important GPA and test sc …

2 years ago

Scoring process for AP Exams?

Hey everyone, I'm really curious about how the AP exams are scored in general. Can anyone break down how the AP English and AP US History exams' scoring systems work? Like, how do they decide what qua …

2 years ago

Use of Contractions in College Essays - Yay or Nay?

Hey everyone, quick question: can I use contractions in my college essay or is it too informal? I want my essay to sound natural but I don't want to come off as unprofessional.

2 years ago

What GPA should I aim for to be competitive at Virginia Tech?

Hi everyone! I’m really interested in Virginia Tech and was wondering what kind of GPA would make a competitive candidate. If there's a ballpark GPA range that would increase my chances, I’d love to f …

2 years ago

Use of Calculators on AP CSP Exam

To anyone who's taken the AP CSP (Computer Science Principles) exam, do you know if we're allowed to use calculators? I haven't seen much information about this and I want to make sure I'm prepped wel …

2 years ago
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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.