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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.


Is practicing yoga an extracurricular activity?

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!

2 years ago

How important are standardized test scores in the admissions process?

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 …

2 years ago

Is it acceptable to use contractions in a college essay?

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 …

2 years ago

How do I find colleges with good financial aid packages?

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 …

2 years ago

Do colleges care about how many times you take the SAT?

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 …

2 years ago

Is it a bad idea to write about mental health issues in my college essay?

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 …

2 years ago

What resources can help with my college search?

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 …

2 years ago

How many HL courses for IB diploma?

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!

2 years ago

How do I choose which standardized test to take: the SAT or ACT?

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 …

2 years ago

If I have a preference for smaller class sizes, should I still consider large universities?

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 …

2 years ago

Has anyone used a private college counselor?

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 …

2 years ago

How can I improve my college interview skills?

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 …

2 years ago

Could traveling be considered as an extracurricular activity?

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 …

2 years ago

Can I apply to both Early Decision and Early Action?

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 …

2 years ago

Will colleges use AI detectors to identify plagiarism in our application essays?

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 …

2 years ago

Do colleges care about my part-time job?

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 …

2 years ago

How do I find a college that fits my learning style?

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 …

2 years ago

How do I choose between applying Early Action and Early Decision?

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 …

2 years ago

What factors are most important in a college application?

Hey, I'm a junior and the college application process is looming. I'd like to know which factors are most important during the application review process. Is it GPA, extracurriculars, essays, or somet …

2 years ago

Worried about letters of recommendation!

Hey guys, I'm a junior and starting to think about the college application process. One thing that's really stressing me out is the letters of recommendation. I haven't been able to connect with my te …

2 years 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.