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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.


What are the pros and cons of applying early decision?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior in high school and I'm considering applying early decision to one of my top-choice colleges. What are the pros and cons of applying early decision, and how does it affect my …

2 years ago

How important are extracurriculars in my college application?

Hey there! I'm currently a junior and I've been hearing a lot about how important extracurriculars are in the college admissions process. I have a few activities that I'm passionate about, but I'm not …

2 years ago

Could learning a language on your own be considered an extracurricular activity?

Hey there, I've been teaching myself Japanese for fun throughout high school, and I've made significant progress. Would learning a language on my own count as an extracurricular activity for college a …

2 years ago

Are college essay titles common practice or not?

Hey, I'm a junior currently starting to brainstorm ideas for my college essays. Should I be thinking about a title for the essay? Do most people give their essays titles, or is it not required? Thanks …

2 years ago

How do colleges view dual enrollment classes?

Hello! I'm a junior and I've been taking a few dual enrollment classes at my local community college. I was wondering how these classes are viewed by colleges during the admissions process. Are they c …

2 years ago

Is it worth applying to colleges I'm not sure I can get into?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I've been researching colleges. There are some schools that I really like, but I don't know if I have a realistic chance of getting in. Is it worth applying to these reac …

2 years ago

Are college visits necessary for making a good impression?

Hi everyone! I've heard that some students visit colleges they're interested in to get a feel for the campus and make a good impression on the admissions office. Is this true? Do college visits really …

2 years ago

Is it better to take a difficult class and get a lower grade or take an easier class and get an A?

Hey guys, I'm planning my schedule for senior year and I'm not sure if I should take AP Calc BC or stick with regular Calculus. I think I can manage a B or maybe a low A in BC, but I'd definitely get …

2 years ago

Any tips for transfer students when applying to competitive colleges?

Hi everyone, I'm currently a college freshman, and I'm thinking about transferring to a more competitive school for my sophomore year. My dream schools are schools like Cornell and Vanderbilt. Do you …

2 years ago

Does study abroad count as an extracurricular activity?

Hey all, I'm lucky enough to have been able to participate in a study abroad program last summer. I'm not sure whether I should include this experience as an extracurricular activity on my college app …

2 years ago

Can my college essay be about a fictional character?

Hey guys, I have an idea for my college essay. I want to write about how a particular fictional character has had a major impact on my life and influenced my perspective and beliefs. Do you think this …

2 years ago

How long does it typically take to write a good college essay?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about college essays. I'm curious about how long it took you all to write your college essays. I want to make sure I give myself enough time to write a …

2 years ago

Chances of getting into West Point with low grades?

Hi, I'm a high school junior, and West Point has always been my ultimate goal. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, my grades suffered in 9th and 10th grades. Is it still possible to get into West Po …

2 years ago

How to choose between applying for financial aid or merit-based scholarships?

Hi everyone, I'm a high school junior and I'm starting to think about how to pay for college. I'm wondering if I should focus on applying for financial aid or merit-based scholarships. What are the di …

2 years ago

How important is demonstrated need in receiving a merit-based scholarship?

Hello, I'm starting to look into scholarships and I've noticed that some are need-based, while others are merit-based. Am I correct in assuming that my family's financial situation won't impact my cha …

2 years ago

How can I make my extracurriculars stand out on my college applications?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I've been involved in a variety of extracurricular activities throughout high school. How can I best present these on my college applications to make them stand out? Are …

2 years ago

What is the most effective way to study for the ACT?

Hey everyone! I'll be taking the ACT soon, and I'm feeling a little bit stressed about how to prepare for it. Can anyone recommend an effective study plan or any resources that have worked for them? T …

2 years ago

How much do recommendation letters matter?

Hello! I'm curious about how important recommendation letters are in the college admissions process. I have a couple of teachers who know me well and could write strong letters, but I'm not sure how m …

2 years ago

Will colleges use AI detectors on college essays?

I've been hearing that plagiarism detectors are getting more and more advanced. Is it possible that colleges will use AI detectors to check for authenticity in college essays? Just curious about the c …

2 years ago

Should I apply to colleges with high acceptance rates?

Hey guys! I'm a junior and I'm starting to look at colleges. I was wondering if it's worth applying to colleges with high acceptance rates, or if I should focus on more competitive schools. What do yo …

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.