CollegeVine Expert FAQ

I'm thinking about writing my personal statement on how the Percy Jackson series played a major role in shaping me as a person and my passion for mythology. Do you think this is a unique and memorable …

I'm currently a junior in high school and starting to think about college. Are ACT scores a universal requirement for college applications, or do some schools not require them? Trying to plan my testi …

What's up, guys? I'm trying to get a better sense of what makes a strong Princeton essay. Has anyone come across reliable sources for some good Princeton essay samples? I'd be super grateful to anyone …

Obviously, it differs based on topic and requirements, but how long is a typical essay for college applications? I'm starting to write my essays and don't want them to be too short or too long. Thanks …

Hey everyone! I'm a junior in HS and I'm interested in track and field scholarships. Can anyone suggest some resources or tips for finding scholarships specifically for high school track and field ath …

I'm having a hard time choosing between Duke and Chapel Hill. Can anyone provide some comparisons between these two schools in areas like social scene, financial aid, and academic reputation? I really …

Hey guys, I'm starting to look into colleges, and I'm interested in the University of New Orleans (UNO). Can anyone give me the general idea of how much tuition costs there? Are there any hidden fees …

Hey guys, I've been wondering: do colleges focus more on your cumulative GPA or your actual letter grades in individual classes? I'm trying to understand how my academic performance will be evaluated …

I'm considering applying to both Cal Poly and a few UC schools, but I'm not sure which one would be a better fit for me. What are the main differences between them in terms of academics, campus life, …

Hey, guys! I'm working on my Georgia Tech application, and I'm struggling a bit with the 'Why Georgia Tech?' essay. Does anyone have any example essays or tips to help me understand what they're looki …

Hey all, I recently attended a HOBY leadership conference and I'm just curious—does anyone know any famous HOBY alumni? It would be cool to know if any big names were once in my shoes at this conferen …

Hey guys, I'm a bit stressed about my upcoming Stanford interview. I was wondering, does the interview play a significant role in the final admissions decision? Just trying to get a sense of what to e …

Hi everybody! I'm a junior in high school and I've been dreaming about getting into Stanford, but I'm not quite sure what it takes. Can someone please break down the qualifications they're looking for …

Hola, I'm going to be taking Spanish 2 Honors next semester and I've heard that it's a bit challenging. What should I expect from the class and how should I prepare? Any suggestions or guidance are su …

My school doesn't specify whether our class rank is based on weighted or unweighted GPA. How can I figure out which one they use? Should I ask my counselor?

So I'm working on some college essays and one of the prompts is about writing about something that is meaningful to me. How do I go about conveying my passion and emotions in a personal essay? Any adv …

Hi there! I'm applying to the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), and I was wondering if anyone has any example essays they'd be willing to share? Or maybe just some general advice for writing a …

Hey guys, I'm debating between Cal Poly and University of San Diego. I'd like to hear from anybody who has experienced either or both about the academic quality, student life, and career opportunities …

Hey, guys! Unfortunately, I didn't get accepted to UC Irvine, but I'm considering submitting an appeal. I'm curious about the acceptance rate for appeals—I've heard it's fairly low, but I want to know …

I recently received the Seal of Biliteracy for being proficient in two languages. Is this a nationally recognized accomplishment that could benefit me when applying to colleges?