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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 is the best way to prepare for the SAT/ACT?

Hello! I'm a junior and I need to start preparing for the SAT/ACT. What are the best ways to study and improve my scores? Are there any resources or strategies you guys recommend? Thanks so much!

2 years ago

How should I spend my summer to strengthen my college application?

Hey everyone! I'm a high school junior and I'm starting to think about how to spend my summer before senior year. I want to make sure I'm doing something productive that will help strengthen my colleg …

2 years ago

How do I choose between applying for merit-based or need-based scholarships?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior in high school, and I'm starting to research scholarships for college. I'm unsure whether to focus on merit-based or need-based scholarships. What factors should I consider w …

2 years ago

When should I start working on my college essay?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior in high school and I'm wondering when I should start working on my college essay. Should I start now or wait until senior year? Any advice on how to manage my time effective …

2 years ago

What consequences will I face if I plagiarize my college application essay?

I've heard some horror stories about students getting caught plagiarizing their essays, but I'm curious about what exactly happens if you're caught. Do colleges automatically reject your application, …

2 years ago

What's the best way to organize extracurricular activities on a college application?

Hey guys! I have a lot of extracurriculars, and I'm not sure how to organize them on my college application. Should I prioritize certain ones? How should I list them? Thanks for any advice!

2 years ago

Is it alright to use 'I' in a college essay?

Hi everyone! I've heard conflicting opinions on whether or not it's okay to use 'I' in a college essay. Some people say it's fine, while others say it's not recommended. What do you think? Should I us …

2 years ago

Do I need to take the SAT/ACT if I'm applying to test-optional schools?

Hi everyone, I know that many schools are now test-optional, but I'm not sure if I should still take the SAT/ACT. Would it be beneficial for my application, or is it not necessary if I'm applying to t …

2 years ago

Do I need to use MLA format for my college essay?

Hi everyone, I'm working on my college application essay and I'm not sure if I need to use MLA format or not. Is there a specific format that colleges are expecting, or can I just use whatever format …

2 years ago

What financial aid options are available?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior and starting to think about how to pay for college. I'm feeling a bit stressed about the cost and wondering what financial aid options are available. Can anyone point me in …

2 years ago

Can I submit both my SAT and ACT scores to colleges?

Hi everyone! I'm a high school junior and I've taken both the SAT and ACT. I've heard that some colleges accept either score, but I'm wondering if it's possible to submit both scores to show my streng …

2 years ago

What factors do colleges consider when making admission decisions?

Hi all! I'm a junior and I'm curious about what factors colleges consider when making admission decisions. I know GPA and test scores are important, but what else do they look at? Thanks for any infor …

2 years ago

Can you provide some tips on writing a great college essay?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior in high school and I'm starting to think about writing my college essay. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. Can anyone provide some tips or advice …

2 years ago

Is it better to have a few strong extracurriculars or many different ones?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior in high school, and I'm trying to figure out how to make my extracurriculars stand out on my college application. Is it better to have a few strong extracurriculars where I'v …

2 years ago

Is it better to take AP classes or focus on extracurriculars?

Hello everyone! I'm a junior and I'm trying to plan out my senior year schedule. I'm not sure if I should load up on AP classes or if I should focus more on extracurricular activities. I've heard that …

2 years ago

Are abbreviations okay to use in college essays?

Hey everyone, I've noticed that I've used a few abbreviations in my college essay and I'm not sure if that's acceptable. Should I write out the full words or are abbreviations okay? Thanks for your in …

2 years ago

What should I do if my dream college rejects me?

I'm worried about the possibility of not getting into my dream college. If that happens, what should I do to cope with the disappointment and move forward? Any advice would be helpful!

2 years ago

What role do recommendation letters play in college admissions?

Hey there, I'm a junior, and I've been wondering about the importance of recommendation letters in the college application process. How important are they, and what should I look for in a teacher to w …

2 years ago

Should I submit an optional essay?

Hey! I'm working on my college applications, and some of them have optional essays. Should I submit these, or is it better to focus on the required essays? Thanks for your help!

2 years ago

Is it okay to include dialogue in a college essay?

I'm writing my college essay and I want to include a conversation I had with someone. Can I use dialogue in my essay or should I avoid it? Will it make my essay seem more engaging or just confusing?

2 years ago
Displaying questions 175861-175880 of 178038 total
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.