CollegeVine Expert FAQ

I got a score of 1400 on my SAT, and I've been debating on whether it's good enough for the Ivy League schools. My dream is to get into Brown or Cornell. Do you think my score is competitive enough, o …

Hi everyone, I just received my SAT score and I got a 1490. I'm both excited and nervous, but I'm unsure if this score is good enough for Ivy League schools. Any thoughts or advice? Is it worth retaki …

I've heard that some colleges value demonstrated interest from applicants. How do I show that I'm really interested in a particular school without coming off as insincere or pushy? Is it even that imp …

Hey guys, I've heard some colleges require interviews as part of the application process, while others don't. Can anyone provide some insight? Is it common for colleges to require interviews, or is it …

I just got a 33 on the ACT, and I'm considering retaking it to get a higher score. I'm planning to apply to schools like Carnegie Mellon and Northwestern, and I'm worried that my current score is not …

Hi everyone! I'm trying to plan my junior year and I'm curious about how many extracurricular activities Ivy League schools typically expect from applicants. I don't want to spread myself too thin, bu …

Hey there! I'm a junior who's always wanted to become a nurse, but my GPA is around 2.9 due to some struggles with anxiety during my freshman and sophomore years. Is it still possible for me to pursue …

Hello! As a junior, I'm starting to think about visiting colleges. Are college visits essential to choosing the right school, or can I rely on virtual tours and online research? Due to Covid, travelin …

Hi, I am a junior and I've been working a part-time job for the past 2 years. I was wondering if having a job counts as an extracurricular activity or if it's considered something separate when I appl …

Hello everyone! I'm a high school junior and I've been part of my school's choir for two years. Does this count as an extracurricular activity on college applications? I've put quite a lot of time and …

I recently received a 1490 on my SAT exam and I'm wondering if this score is good enough for a competitive application to Ivy League schools like Harvard and Princeton. Should I consider retaking the …

Hi all! I'm a junior and I've been contemplating the idea of taking a gap year before starting college. Can anyone share their experiences or thoughts on the pros and cons of taking a gap year? Thanks …

Hi there! I'm a junior and I need to start thinking about getting letters of recommendation for my college applications. I'm not exactly sure how to approach my teachers about it. What's the best way …

I'm a junior, and I have the opportunity to do an internship this summer. How important are internships when it comes to college admissions? Will it significantly improve my application, or are there …

I took a gap year after high school and I'm worried about how it will look on my college applications. How can I explain my gap year in a positive way so it doesn't hurt my chances of getting accepted …

Hi guys! I'm a junior and I'm currently taking 4 AP classes. I've been able to keep up so far, but I have been feeling increasingly stressed. Does it look bad if I drop one of the AP classes? My main …

Hey everyone, I've been fortunate enough to do a lot of traveling with my family. I feel like these experiences have shaped me and contributed to my growth a lot. Can I include travel as an extracurri …

Hello everyone! I had a rough sophomore year, and my grades suffered due to some personal issues. How can I best explain this to colleges in my application? I want them to know that I have overcome th …

Hi! I've been tutoring younger students in math and science for the past two years, and I was wondering if this is something that could be considered an extracurricular activity for my college applica …

I am planning to apply as an economics major, but I also have interests in psychology and environmental science. If I get admitted to a college, how difficult is it to change my major? Will switching …