CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Explore our collection of admissions FAQs. Each answer is expert-approved by our team to help you reach your goals.


How many AP classes should I take to be competitive for the Ivy League?

I'm trying to plan my junior and senior year schedules, and I'm wondering how many AP classes I should take to be a competitive applicant for the Ivy League. I want to strike a balance between challen …

11 months ago

Can someone tell me what a public research university is?

Hey all! I've been doing some college research and have come across the term 'public research university' quite often. I'm having trouble understanding exactly what it means. Could you guys help me ou …

11 months ago

Duke University: Research opportunities available?

Hi! I've been considering applying to Duke University, but I could not find much information on whether it's a research university or not. Can someone provide insight into research availability for un …

11 months ago

What is the difference between a public research university and a regular public university?

Hey, in my college search, I've come across the term 'public research university' multiple times. To be honest, I'm a little bit confused about the difference between a public research university and …

11 months ago

Can anyone recommend research universities with a liberal arts feel?

I'm currently starting my college search, and I really love the vibe of liberal arts colleges, but I also want the benefit of strong research opportunities. Are there any universities out there that m …

11 months ago

How to choose a meaningful personal statement topic?

Hey guys, I'm pretty lost when it comes to selecting a topic for my personal statement. Any advice on what makes a topic meaningful or impactful when writing a college essay?

11 months ago

Do all colleges require the SAT or ACT?

Hi, I'm currently a junior in high school, and I've been researching colleges. I noticed that some colleges are test-optional or test-blind. Is this common? Do all colleges require the SAT or ACT for …

11 months ago

Can I count choir as an extracurricular on my college applications?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I've been involved in my school's choir for a few years now. Just wondering if I can count this as an extracurricular when I apply to colleges? Thanks for your help!

11 months ago

What's a good class rank for Ivy League admissions?

Hi all! I'm a high school junior and I'm curious about what class rank would be considered competitive for Ivy League admissions. I know it can vary by school, but is there a general range? Thanks for …

11 months ago

Are application deadlines strict or is there some flexibility?

I'm feeling really stressed about meeting college application deadlines. Are they strict, or do colleges allow some flexibility for late submissions? I'm worried that submitting even slightly late cou …

11 months ago

When is it wise to take a gap year?

I'm considering taking a gap year before starting college for personal reasons and to gain some real-world experience. How do colleges usually view gap years, and what factors should I consider before …

11 months ago

How can I decide which AP classes to take?

Hi there! I'm a junior and I'm trying to decide which AP classes to take next year. I want to challenge myself, but I also want to make sure I'm taking classes that will be beneficial for my college a …

11 months ago

What qualities do Ivy League schools look for in applicants?

Hi everyone! As a junior, I'm trying to plan what I need to work on to be a strong Ivy League applicant. What are the main areas they focus on during the admissions process? Are there specific things …

11 months ago

AP Classes vs. Dual Enrollment - which looks better?

I'm trying to decide between taking AP classes at my high school or dual enrolling at a nearby college. Which one is more impressive to college admissions officers? Would doing both be overkill?

11 months ago

Any tips for choosing schools based on a specific major?

Hey everyone! I'm currently a junior and planning on majoring in political science. I've been doing a lot of research to find the best schools for my major, but the information is overwhelming. What f …

11 months ago

Can I get into a good college with a lower GPA?

Hey there! I'm a high school junior, and my GPA isn't as high as I'd like it to be. Is it still possible for me to get into a good college, or will my lower GPA hold me back? What can I do to improve …

11 months ago

How do I decide which college to apply to?

There are so many colleges out there, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. How did you guys decide which colleges to apply to? Any tips or advice you can share would be really helpful!

11 months ago

Is it appropriate to use abbreviations in college essays?

Hi all, as I'm writing my college essay, I noticed that I used some abbreviations (e.g., UN for United Nations). Is it okay to use abbreviations like this in my essay, or should I spell everything out …

11 months ago

How do I choose the right high school courses for college preparation?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I'm trying to plan my senior year schedule. I want to make sure I'm taking the right courses to prepare for college. What types of classes should I be taking to be well-prep …

11 months ago

How do I balance college applications with senior year workload?

With the college application season approaching, I'm getting increasingly worried about how to balance college apps with my senior year workload. I'm taking a few AP classes and also have extracurricu …

11 months ago
Displaying questions 112681-112700 of 115981 total
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.