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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.


Should I get my college essay professionally edited?

Hey guys, I'm considering getting my college essay professionally edited to make sure it's polished and error-free. Is it worth the investment, or should I just rely on feedback from friends and famil …

2 years ago

How should I balance my college list between reach, match, and safety schools?

When creating my college list, I'm finding it challenging to balance reach, match, and safety schools. How many of each type should I apply to and what factors should I consider when choosing which sc …

2 years ago

What are the best topics to avoid in a college essay?

I've heard that some topics are considered cliché or overdone in college essays. Which topics should I avoid to ensure my essay stands out and doesn't bore the admissions officers? Thanks for any advi …

2 years ago

Is it better to have a shorter or longer college essay?

Hi all, I'm working on my college essay and I'm not sure how long it should be. Is it better to have a shorter college essay that's concise, or a longer essay that's more detailed? Thanks for any advi …

2 years ago

Does applying early decision (ED) really increase your chances?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior considering applying early decision to my top choice – Columbia University. I've heard that applying ED can offer an advantage, but I'm wondering if that's really true. Can a …

2 years ago

Is Stanford a research-heavy university?

Hi all! I'm considering applying to Stanford and I was curious about whether it's known for its research opportunities. Do they focus on research in the sciences and engineering, or is research second …

2 years ago

Is Stanford a research university?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior interested in applying to Stanford, and I'm curious if it's considered a research university. I am passionate about research and want to ensure my future college has ample o …

2 years ago

What does it mean to be a research university?

Hi! I've heard the term 'research university' thrown around a lot, and I'm not entirely sure what it means. Can somebody explain what distinguishes a research university from other types of universiti …

2 years ago

Should I go to community college first to save money?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I've been thinking about college costs a lot recently. With tuition fees rising, I'm wondering if it might be a better idea for me to attend community college for a coupl …

2 years ago

Is Tufts University good for environmental policy research?

Hi! I'm a junior exploring potential colleges, and I'm curious about Tufts University. Can anyone tell me if it's considered a research university and what kind of research opportunities are available …

2 years ago

Curious about research opportunities at Duke University

Hi! I'm a high school junior, and I'm considering applying to Duke University. I want to know if Duke is known as a research university and what research opportunities are available, especially for un …

2 years ago

Chances of Ivy League admission with excellent extracurriculars but mediocre GPA?

I have a pretty incredible list of extracurriculars from leadership positions to seriously committed volunteer experience, but my GPA isn't what I'd consider 'Ivy League worthy.' Are my extracurricula …

2 years ago

How do I decide if I should apply to a college as a reach, target, or safety?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior starting to create my college list and I'm having trouble deciding which schools should be considered reaches, targets, or safeties. How do I determine which category a scho …

2 years ago

Do study abroad programs count as extracurricular activities?

Hello! I'm a high school junior and I participated in a study abroad program last year to Spain. It was a great experience and I learned so much. I wanted to know if including this in my extracurricul …

2 years ago

What should I focus on during my junior year to prepare for college applications?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior, and I want to make sure I'm doing everything I can this year to prepare for my college applications. What should I be focusing on during my junior year to set myself up for …

2 years ago

Does Brigham Young University (BYU) count as a research university?

Hello everyone! I am considering applying to Brigham Young University, but I'm unsure if it is a research university or not. Could someone please clarify this for me? And if it is, how does it compare …

2 years ago

Is learning Japanese on my own an extracurricular activity?

Hey everyone! I'm teaching myself Japanese, but I'm not sure if this would count as an extracurricular activity for colleges. What do you think? Appreciate your input!

2 years ago

International relations research at Tufts University?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior in high school and I'm considering Tufts University as one of my top college choices. Is Tufts considered a research university? I want to major in international relations a …

2 years ago

Does having a part-time job during high school make a difference on college applications?

I've been working part-time at a retail store for my entire high school career, which has limited my involvement in other extracurricular activities. Do colleges value work experience as much as they …

2 years ago

Is a research university the right fit for a future biology major?

Hey all, as an aspiring biology major, I'm curious about whether attending a research university would be a better choice for me in terms of resources, research opportunities, and academic offerings. …

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.