CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hi all! I want to major in computer science, but my math score on the SAT is a bit lower than I'd like (650). Is it still possible to get into top computer science programs, or should I focus on tryin …

Hi there! I'm struggling to balance my time between studying for the SAT/ACT and maintaining a good GPA. In your experience, which one should I prioritize for college admissions? Any advice would be g …

I'm currently ranked 6th out of 230 students in my junior class. While I'm happy with my rank, I wonder how much weight it has in college admissions. Will it have a significant impact on my chances of …

Hi there! I'm planning on participating in a study abroad program next summer, and I'm wondering if this will count as an extracurricular activity on my college applications or if it's considered some …

Hi guys, I'm a junior in high school and I'm trying to decide between taking a challenging course in my senior year that I might not get an A in, or taking an easier course and getting a higher grade. …

Hey guys! I'm a junior and I've been taking a few AP courses throughout high school. I'm wondering how much weight colleges place on these courses when making admissions decisions. Can anyone give me …

Hey folks, I have a YouTube channel with 20k subscribers that I've been working on for several years. It covers a variety of topics, including gaming and film reviews. Would this be something colleges …

Hey guys, I've been looking at college rankings, but I'm unsure how much weight I should give them when choosing a school. Are there any other factors I should prioritize during my decision-making pro …

Hello everyone! I'm a junior in high school, and I've been thinking about the college application process. I know the Common App essay is important, but I'm not sure where to start or what makes a str …

I'm a junior and have been involved in many extracurriculars throughout high school. How should I decide which ones to include in my college essays? Should I focus on my most impressive achievements o …

Hi everyone, I've taken several AP classes but didn't do as well as I hoped on some of the exams. I'm wondering how important these scores are for schools like Columbia and Yale. Will a lower AP score …

Hey guys! Due to the pandemic, many colleges have implemented a test-optional policy. If I choose not to submit my SAT or ACT scores, will my chances of admission be higher at a test-optional school, …

Hello CollegeVine! I've heard about sending update letters to colleges after submitting my application, but I'm not sure what to include or how to format the letter. Can you give me some guidance on w …

Hi everyone! I volunteer at my local church every weekend. Does this count as an extracurricular activity on college applications? I'm trying to make sure I have a strong list of activities to include …

Hi guys, I've seen a lot of people mentioning reach, match, and safety schools on this subreddit. Can someone explain what these terms mean and how to determine which category a school falls into for …

Hi! I'm just a high school junior who's beginning to research colleges, and I'm wondering if anyone could enlighten me about whether Harvard University is categorized as a research university. Does it …

Hey, I'm so fortunate to have received acceptances from multiple Ivy League schools, and it's so hard to pick one. What are some factors you guys think I should consider in making a decision?

I've heard that college essays should be personal, but I'm not sure how much detail I should include. Is there a line between being open and oversharing? I want to make sure I strike the right balance …

Hey everyone! I've recently been hearing a lot about students partaking in research programs during their time at university, and I'm really curious to learn more about what these entail. Could someon …

Hey guys, I'm concerned about getting student loans to pay for college since my grades aren't that great. Will this have a negative impact on my eligibility for loans? If so, what other options do I h …