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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.


What makes a public research university different from other universities?

Hello all! I'm trying to figure out the differences between various types of universities and I recently came across the term 'public research university'. Can anyone help me understand what distingui …

2 years ago

Am I at a disadvantage applying early decision as a minority student?

Hi all! As a Hispanic student, I am wondering if applying early decision puts me at a disadvantage in terms of diversity quotas at selective colleges. Should I apply early decision or would I have a b …

2 years ago

Are there scholarships for students with average grades?

I know my GPA isn't high. However, I still need financial assistance for college. Are there any scholarship opportunities for someone like me who doesn't have top grades but a strong commitment to lea …

2 years ago

Do we know if Harvard classifies itself as a research university?

Hi all, I'm a junior curious about the various types of universities out there. I was wondering whether Harvard considers itself a research university, and if so, what makes it stand out from other re …

2 years ago

How difficult are IB courses compared to AP?

Hello! I've taken AP courses during my high school years so far, but I've been thinking about switching to IB for senior year. I've heard mixed opinions on the difficulty of IB courses compared to AP, …

2 years ago

Is Greek life common at Ivy League universities?

Hi everyone! I was wondering if Greek life is a big part of student culture at Ivy League schools. Are fraternities and sororities popular at these prestigious institutions or is it different from oth …

2 years ago

Do all Ivy League applicants receive interviews?

Hey guys, I'm currently applying to some Ivy League schools and I was wondering if all applicants receive interviews or only certain ones. If not everyone gets one, what factors determine who gets an …

2 years ago

How to decide which college is the best fit for me?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and starting to build my college list. I'm having trouble deciding which colleges would be the best fit for me. What factors should I consider when choosing a college, and ho …

2 years ago

Would you consider NYU a research university?

Hey everyone, I'm currently a junior and looking at NYU as one of my top choices. I'd like to know if it's considered a research university and if there are ample research opportunities for undergradu …

2 years ago

Is Northwestern known for its research?

I'm interested in applying to Northwestern, but I'm not sure how much emphasis they place on research. I'm thinking about majoring in materials science and engineering. Can anyone tell me if Northwest …

2 years ago

Are Ivy League schools overrated, or do they live up to the hype?

Could people who have attended or know someone who attended an Ivy League school share their thoughts on whether these schools are overrated or actually worth the attention? I'm trying to decide if I …

2 years ago

Importance of course rigor for liberal arts colleges?

Hi everyone! I'm mainly targeting liberal arts colleges (like Swarthmore, Wesleyan, etc.) and I was wondering how important course rigor is during the application process for these schools? I have a d …

2 years ago

What makes a university a Research 1 (R1) institution, and what benefits does this provide to undergraduate students?

Hello! I was going through some college rankings and noticed that certain universities are designated as 'R1' or research 1. What exactly does this mean, and are there any advantages for undergraduate …

2 years ago

Is it okay to discuss mental health struggles in my college essay?

Hello, everyone! I'm brainstorming ideas for my college essay, and I was considering writing about how I overcame mental health struggles during my high school years. Do you think it's wise to discuss …

2 years ago

Is USC classified as a research institution?

Hi all, I've been researching colleges and came across the University of Southern California. I'm wondering if USC is classified as a research university since I'm really interested in getting involve …

2 years ago

What is the meaning of a 'public research university'?

Hello everyone! As a high school junior, I'm in the thick of college searches, and I'm a bit confused about the term 'public research university.' Can somebody please explain the meaning of this term, …

2 years ago

Are research universities better for undergraduates?

Hello! I'm trying to shortlist colleges for applications, and I'm curious - are research universities better when it comes to undergraduate education, or are there advantages to choosing a smaller, no …

2 years ago

Can I use a common app essay for multiple schools?

Hi there! I'm working on my college applications, and I'm wondering if I can use the same Common App essay for multiple schools. Is this allowed or do I need to write a unique essay for each college? …

2 years ago

Do research universities provide a better education?

Hi, I've seen some debates about whether attending a research university is better than attending other types of schools. Are research universities really better, or is it just a misconception? I'm a …

2 years ago

What’s your process for researching colleges and universities?

I'm in the thick of compiling my college list right now, and I'm really not sure how to even begin researching all these colleges and universities. How do you guys go about it? Are there specific crit …

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.