CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hey guys, as I start to make my college list, I'm torn between schools with highly-ranked specific majors (e.g. engineering) and schools known more for their overall reputation. Should I prioritize sc …

Stanford is one of my dream schools due to its strong academics and location. However, it's crucial for me to attend a research university. Can someone confirm if Stanford fits that description and pr …

Hi everyone! I've always been interested in USC, but I'm also looking for a college with a strong emphasis on research. Would you consider USC a research university? How are the research opportunities …

Hi! I'm a low-income, first-generation student considering applying to Ivy League schools. I have a 3.85 GPA, a 1460 SAT score, and several leadership roles in extracurriculars. Do you think I'd be a …

Hey all! I'm a high school junior, starting my college search, and I have my eyes on Columbia University. I'm curious to know if it's considered a research university and what kind of research opportu …

Hi there! I'm a junior, and I want to make sure I'm using my time wisely to prepare for college. What should I be focusing on this year to make the most of my time? Any suggestions are welcome!

I've heard of students getting their college acceptances rescinded because of bad grades. How bad do the grades have to be? I'm worried because I don't want to potentially lose my spot at my dream sch …

Hello, I'm a high school junior and I'm wondering if SAT Subject Tests are necessary for college admissions. I know that some colleges require them, but are they really that important? I'm a little bi …

Hi everyone! I'm currently attending a non-Ivy university with a respectable ranking, and I was wondering if it's easier to transfer into an Ivy League school after a year or two. Does anyone have any …

Hey guys, I have two volunteer opportunities this summer: one at my local library and one at a homeless shelter. I can only choose one, so which one do you think would look better on my college applic …

I want to make sure my college essay starts off strong and grabs the reader's attention. How do I come up with a captivating opening sentence? Any tips or examples would be greatly appreciated!

Hi all, I've struggled with mental health issues in the past, and I'm considering writing about my experiences in my college essay. I want to show how I've grown and overcome challenges, but I'm worri …

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about financial aid for college. How can I determine if a college's financial aid package will be enough for me and my family? Any advice on this to …

Hey guys, I've been accepted into a prestigious summer program that would look great on my college application. However, the cost is very high and could be a financial strain for my family. Is it wort …

Hey guys! I was thinking about taking some art classes next year, but I'm not sure if it'll look good on my college applications. Are they worth taking if I'm not planning on majoring in art? Any advi …

Hey everyone! I'm a high school junior, and I've been thinking a lot about what I want to major in when I go to college. I have a few interests, but I'm not sure which one would be the best fit for me …

Hello all, I'm a first-generation college student, and I plan on applying to some Ivy League schools. I was wondering if first-gen status would give me any extra consideration during the admissions pr …

Hi there! I'm a junior and I've always wanted to become a doctor, but my GPA is about 3.1 due to some struggles with mental health. I've been working to improve my grades, and I'm wondering if it's st …

Hey folks, I'm currently the president of my high school's Ukulele Club, and I'm wondering if it's unique or interesting enough to make a difference in my Harvard application. Will mentioning this act …

I'm a little unsure about the importance of the personal essay in the overall college admissions process. How much do colleges actually look at the essay, and how heavily does it factor into their dec …