CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hi all, I'm currently a junior and I've heard that it's a good idea to start working on my college essay early. When do you guys think is the best time to begin? Should I start over the summer, or sho …

Hello! I've been looking into honors programs at various colleges, but I'm not sure if it's the right fit for me. What are the benefits and drawbacks of being in an honors program, and how do I know i …

Hi! I got a 1400 on my SAT, and I'm wondering if this score is good enough to be competitive for Ivy League universities? I'm worried it might be below the threshold for such prestigious schools, and …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior who's stuck between choosing engineering or medical science as a career/major path. I love both subjects, but I'm unsure which one is the right fit for me in terms of future …

Hey guys, I'm working on my college essay and I'm wondering if colleges prefer a specific essay format or if there's some flexibility. Any advice on this would be great. Thanks!

Hey everyone, I've been a part of my school's choir for a few years now, and I'm curious if it would be considered an extracurricular activity when applying to colleges. If so, how should I present it …

Hey all, I'm a junior with some unfortunate grade dips in my transcript due to personal reasons. What's the best way to explain these situations on my college application? Any advice would be apprecia …

Hi, collegevine community! I'm a homeschooled junior, and I'm curious about how colleges evaluate homeschool students compared to students from traditional schools. Do they look at standardized test s …

I'm starting my college search and wondering how to research different universities effectively. What resources or websites do you recommend that could help me gather accurate and useful information a …

I want to study engineering in college and am currently considering applying to several Ivy League schools. What specific qualities are Ivy League engineering programs looking for in their applicants? …

Hey! I'm a junior and I've taken a mix of AP and other advanced courses throughout high school. I'm wondering if colleges value AP classes more than other advanced courses, or if it's more about the r …

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I've taken a few AP exams. I'm wondering how colleges consider AP scores during the admissions process. Are they a significant factor or more of a bonus? Thanks for any …

Hello! I'm a high school junior, and I really want to make my college application stand out. However, I don't want to overwhelm myself with activities and responsibilities. Are there any tips or sugge …

Hey there, I'm really passionate about pursuing a STEM major (specifically engineering), but I also have a strong background in the arts. Is it worth showcasing my artistic abilities when applying to …

I'm taking 4 AP classes in my senior year, and I'm getting really overwhelmed. With college applications approaching, I'm not sure if I can juggle everything effectively. Any tips on managing a heavy …

I'm a junior in high school planning to apply to Ivy League schools, but my SAT scores aren't as high as I'd like them to be. Has anyone here gotten into an Ivy League school with relatively low test …

I hear people talking a lot about how great the Ivy League schools are, but I'm starting to wonder if they're overrated compared to other colleges with strong programs. Does anyone have experience wit …

Hey everyone, I have a 4.0 unweighted GPA but my SAT score could be better (currently at 1400). I'm considering applying to top-tier schools for an engineering major. Is my current score enough, or do …

Hey, I've noticed that many colleges have gone test-optional due to COVID. As a junior, I'm wondering how important test scores still are in the admission process, especially with recent changes. Can …

Hello! I'm planning to apply to some Ivy League schools and I'm trying to determine a good target unweighted GPA. Can anyone provide some advice or numbers to aim for in order to be competitive? Thank …