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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.


Can my college essay be humorous?

Hey guys, I have a funny story that I think would make a great college essay. Is it okay to use humor in my essay or should I stick to a more serious tone? I don't want to come across as unprofessiona …

2 years ago

Does Penn State have the features of a research university?

Hey everyone, I'm really considering Penn State for my college applications, but I wanted to know if it's considered a research university. I'm very eager to get involved with research during my colle …

2 years ago

Is Harvard classified as a research university?

Hi everyone, I've been researching universities for potential application, and I am wondering if Harvard is considered a research university. I know it has a prestigious reputation, but does it offer …

2 years ago

What's the best way to thoroughly research a university?

Hey guys, I'm starting to research colleges to decide which ones I want to apply to, but the process feels quite overwhelming. Can anyone offer tips on the most effective ways to research universities …

2 years ago

Pursuing double major in both STEM and humanities – How to show this in college applications?

Hello, I'm a high school junior planning to study both computer science and literature in college. I want to emphasize the importance of combining my strengths and interests in both STEM and humanitie …

2 years ago

UCLA, USC, and Stanford - Is there a big difference in research opportunities?

Hello everyone! I'm in the process of finalizing my college application list and I'm strongly considering UCLA, USC, and Stanford as my top choices. I'm interested in studying neuroscience and getting …

2 years ago

Has anyone received merit aid after getting deferred from Early Decision?

Hey everyone, so I applied Early Decision to my top choice school and was deferred. Now I'm wondering if it's still possible for me to receive merit aid from that school when the Regular Decision resu …

2 years ago

Would Yale University be classified as a research-focused institution?

Hello, I'm looking into applying to Yale University and am trying to determine if it's recognized as a research-centered institution. As a student interested in global affairs and political science re …

2 years ago

Will a 1500 SAT score be good enough for Ivy League schools?

Hello! I just got my SAT results back and I scored a 1500. I'm not sure if this is competitive enough for Ivy League admissions. Do you think I should retake the test or focus on other parts of my app …

2 years ago

How do universities typically fund their research projects?

Hey everyone, I've been looking into research opportunities in college, and I'm curious about how universities fund their research projects. Are there specific grants or funding sources that they use, …

2 years ago

Deciding on schools for early decision application?

Hello everyone! I need some help deciding on which school to apply to for early decision. My top two choices are Stanford and UPenn for an engineering major. Will applying early decision improve my ch …

2 years ago

Which undergrad business programs are great aside from the Ivies?

Hey all! I'm planning to major in business, and while I'm well aware of the Ivy League schools' great programs, what are some other schools with strong business programs that I should consider applyin …

2 years ago

What criteria make a university one of the top research institutions?

Hi everyone! As a junior in high school, I'm beginning my college search. I'm interested in finding the top research universities in the country, but I'm unsure of what criteria determine whether an i …

2 years ago

Best strategies for researching universities?

Hello! I'm a junior in high school and I'm starting to research universities to apply to next year. Can someone share a few strategies for researching universities properly? I want to make sure I have …

2 years ago

How important are AP courses when applying to college?

Hey guys, so I'm a junior and my school only offers a limited number of AP courses. I'm only taking one right now, and I'm worried that it might not be enough for top colleges. Do you think colleges w …

2 years ago

What defines a research-intensive university and why should I consider it?

Hey everyone! Lately, I've been hearing a lot about research-intensive universities and I'm curious about what sets them apart from other institutions. I'm interested in pursuing a scientific field (p …

2 years ago

Could you consider Purdue a research university?

Hello everyone! I'm interested in Purdue University, and I'm trying to get a better understanding of its research opportunities. Is it classified as a research university? What kinds of research optio …

2 years ago

How do I find a research program in a university?

Hey everyone, as a high school junior, I'm starting to look into college and I really love research. I've been looking into universities and I keep hearing about research programs, but I don't really …

2 years ago

Should I apply to a prestigious out-of-state school over an affordable in-state option?

Hey everyone, I'm torn between applying to a prestigious out-of-state college and a more affordable in-state school. The out-of-state option aligns more with my academic interests, but the financial b …

2 years ago

What should I do this summer to improve my college application?

Hey all, I'm a junior and I'm wondering what I should be doing this summer to make my college application stand out. I've already got some volunteering and a part-time job lined up, but I'm looking fo …

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.