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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.


How should I approach writing a college essay as a first generation immigrant?

Hi, I'm a first generation immigrant and I'm wondering how to approach my college essay. Should I focus on my experiences as an immigrant or should I try to write about something else? What are some t …

2 years ago

Can you use abbreviations in college essays?

Hey! I'm currently writing my college essays and I'm wondering if it's acceptable to use abbreviations like 'etc.' and 'e.g.' in the text. I want to make my essay easy to read, but I also don't want i …

2 years ago

Can I write a poem for my college application essay?

I'm really passionate about poetry and I think it would be a unique way to express myself in my college essay. Is it okay to submit a poem instead of a traditional essay or should I stick with the sta …

2 years ago

How do I balance extracurricular activities with schoolwork?

Hello! I'm involved in a few extracurricular activities and I'm finding it difficult to balance them with my schoolwork. How do you manage your time and stay on top of everything? Any tips would be su …

2 years ago

Are college interviews an important part of the admissions process?

Hey there! I'm a junior, and I've been hearing about college interviews. Are they an important part of the admissions process? How should I prepare for them, and what should I expect? Thanks for your …

2 years ago

Is it better to apply to college as undecided or with a declared major?

Hello! I'm a junior in high school, and I'm not sure if I should apply to college with a declared major or as undecided. I have a few interests, but I'm not 100% sure which one I want to pursue in col …

2 years ago

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

Hi everyone, I'm working on my college essay, and I'm wondering if it's okay to use 'I' in my writing. I've heard that using first-person can be frowned upon in formal writing, but I also want my essa …

2 years ago

Can you use dialogue in a college essay?

Hi there! I have a question about incorporating dialogue in my college essay. Is it okay to use dialogue to add depth and make my story more engaging, or should I avoid it altogether? Any advice would …

2 years ago

How do I strengthen my relationship with my guidance counselor?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I've heard that having a strong relationship with my guidance counselor is important for the college application process. However, I'm not sure how to approach them or wh …

2 years ago

How significant is the role of legacy in college admissions?

Hi all! I'm a junior and my parents both attended a prestigious university that I'm interested in applying to. I was wondering how much of an impact legacy status has on college admissions. Any insigh …

2 years ago

Can I use the first person in my college essay?

Hi there! I'm in the process of writing my college essays and I'm not sure if I should use first-person pronouns (like 'I' and 'me'). Is it okay to write in the first person for college essays or shou …

2 years ago

What should I write about in my college essays?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I've started thinking about my college essays. I'm struggling to come up with a good topic and I want to make sure my essays stand out. What should I focus on when writin …

2 years ago

Does applying Early Decision really increase chances of admission?

Hi there! I'm a junior in high school, and I've been hearing a lot about the benefits of applying Early Decision. I was wondering if applying ED truly increases your chances of getting into a college. …

2 years ago

How do I show colleges that I'm a good fit for their school?

Hey guys! I'm a junior and I want to make sure my college applications demonstrate that I'm a good fit for the schools I'm applying to. What are some ways I can show colleges that I'd be a great addit …

2 years ago

What should I do if my GPA is low but my test scores are high?

My GPA isn't as strong as I'd like it to be, but my test scores are pretty good. How can I show colleges that I'm still a strong candidate for admission despite my lower GPA? Is there anything I can d …

2 years ago

Are letters of recommendation really important?

Hello, I'm a high school junior and I've been hearing a lot about the importance of letters of recommendation for college applications. How important are they really, and who should I ask to write the …

2 years ago

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

I'm a little bit stressed about writing my college essay, and I'm not sure how long it'll take me to finish. How much time did you guys spend on your essays? Any tips for managing time effectively wou …

2 years ago

Can I submit the same essay for multiple scholarships?

Hello, I'm applying for a few different scholarships and I noticed that some of them have similar essay prompts. Is it okay to submit the same essay for different scholarships or should I rework it fo …

2 years ago

Should I retake the SAT/ACT if my score is only slightly below my target?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior in high school, and I recently took the SAT (or ACT) for the first time. My score is only slightly below my target score, but I'm not sure if it's worth retaking the test to …

2 years ago

How important is it to have a strong relationship with your high school counselor?

Hello! I'm a high school junior, and I've heard that having a good relationship with your counselor can be helpful during the college application process. Is it really that important, and if so, what …

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.