CollegeVine Expert FAQ

I'm considering reaching out to alumni from a few universities I'm interested in applying to. How valuable can these discussions be for understanding the campus culture and academic environment?

I'm thinking about traveling abroad for my gap year and want to know if there are structured programs to help with the planning. Any suggestions or advice on finding reputable gap year travel programs …

I want to spend my gap year traveling but have no idea how to start planning. What steps should I take to make the most of my time? Any advice on budgeting or organizing the trip?

I'm thinking about taking a gap year to travel after I graduate high school. Has anyone done this? Is it a good idea, and how difficult is it to plan? I'd love to hear about your experiences and tips!

I'm planning to interview at some universities I'm interested in. Would love to get some insights or experiences from folks who've done this. What kind of questions should I be prepared for and how ca …

I've seen some opportunities to interview a university president and am curious about the benefits. What kind of insights can this provide about the institution's values and plans?

I'm considering a gap year after high school, but I want to stay local and not travel. What are some productive or unique ideas for a non-travel gap year? Any advice on what I could pursue to make the …

I want to make the most of my gap year by traveling, but the budget is tight. How do people travel so cheaply during their gap years? Any tips on saving money or finding affordable destinations that I …

I'm considering taking a gap year to travel after high school, but I'm unsure about what to expect. What are the benefits and drawbacks of traveling during a gap year? How might it impact my future co …

I'm planning on applying to a couple of UC schools. Do any of them generally conduct interviews for undergraduate applicants? If so, how should I prepare? I'd appreciate advice from anyone who's been …

As I'm organizing my applications, I'm trying to figure out if Temple University requires or recommends interviews for prospective students. Does anyone know how this fits into their application proce …

I'm starting to prep for college apps and considering Stanford University. I'm curious if they offer interviews for prospective undergraduates. How important is the interview in the admissions process …

I'm gearing up for a university interview focused on marine biology and I'm super nervous! Anyone have tips on what to expect or prepare for this type of interview? Maybe some typical questions? Thank …

I'm an international student applying to Cornell and I'm wondering if an interview is required or optional for international applicants like me. Does anyone have any experience with this?

I'm really interested in Cornell's architecture program and I've got an interview coming up. Any specific advice on what I should focus on or highlight during the interview?

I've heard about informal university interviews, but I'm not sure what they are exactly. Are they less stressful than regular interviews? How should I prepare if I'm invited to one, and does it impact …

Is the interview required for all applicants at Columbia University? I'm freaking out because I heard it might be optional or dependent on certain things, and I'm worried about what that means for me.

Just finished a university interview and want to send a thank you email. What's the best way to do this? Should I mention anything specific from our conversation, and how formal should the email be?

I'm getting ready for a university application interview and could really use some advice. What are some common questions they usually ask, and what are good ways to answer them? Any preparation tips …

After finishing a university interview, is it customary or beneficial to send a thank you note? I'm wondering if this could impact how the admissions team views me and whether it's a common practice.