CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hey guys, I'm starting to feel a bit stressed about writing my college essay. I want it to be really good, but I'm not sure how much time I should budget for it. Can anyone share how long it took them …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior, and I'm planning to take the SAT/ACT soon. I noticed that there is an optional essay section, but I'm not sure if I should take it. Do colleges prefer students who take the …

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I've been trying to get more involved in my extracurricular activities. I know that colleges like to see leadership, but I'm not sure how to step up and show that I can b …

I'm considering applying to some community colleges as a backup plan, but I'm not sure if they require essays like four-year universities do. Does anyone know if community colleges typically require e …

I'm applying for several scholarships and I have an essay that I think would work well for most of them. Is it okay to submit the same essay to different scholarships, or should I write unique essays …

I have one bad grade on my transcript, and I'm worried it will hurt my chances of getting accepted. Is there a way to address this in my college application or should I just hope they don't notice?

Hi guys! I'm starting to look into college financial aid policies, but I'm not sure where to find accurate and up-to-date information. What resources would you recommend for researching financial aid …

Hi everyone! I'm a high school junior, and I've been feeling really anxious about my college prospects. My GPA isn't the best (it's around a 3.2), but I've been really involved in my school and commun …

Hi everyone, I have a felony on my record and I'm worried about how it might affect my chances of getting financial aid for college. Does anyone have any experience or advice on this? Thank you!

Hey guys, I'm just curious (not planning to do it, I promise!) - what happens if someone plagiarizes a college application essay? Do they get blacklisted from all colleges or something? Just wondering …

I'm a junior, and I'm starting to feel a bit stressed about the college application process. Can someone please help me understand the timeline? When should I start working on applications, taking sta …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior, and I'm considering attending a community college and then transferring to a four-year university. I want to make sure I have a strong transfer application, but I'm not sure …

Hi there! I've been hearing about the importance of having a 'hook' in college applications. Can someone please explain what a hook is and whether it's really crucial for getting into a competitive co …

Hey guys! I'm really determined to get accepted into a competitive college, and I want to know what I can do to improve my chances. What steps should I take in my junior year to strengthen my applicat …

So, I'm currently a junior and I've been thinking about taking a gap year before starting college. I'm just not sure how colleges view gap years and if it would hurt my chances of getting accepted. An …

Hi there! I've heard that having a 'spike,' or a particularly strong area of focus, can help with college admissions. Is this true, and if so, how do I go about developing a spike in my application? I …

Hey guys! Some of the colleges I'm applying to have a holistic admissions process, which means they consider more than just grades and test scores. How can I make my application stand out in this type …

Hi all! I've heard that some colleges track 'demonstrated interest' in their applicants. How important is this factor, and what are some ways to show interest in a college without coming across as ins …

Hi all! I'm a high school junior, and I've been trying to figure out whether I'd prefer attending a large or small college. I can see the benefits of both, but I'm not sure which one would be the best …

Hi, I'm a junior, and I've taken a few AP classes in high school. How important are AP classes in the college admissions process, and do colleges look for a certain number of AP classes on my transcri …