CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


How should I approach writing about being a first-generation immigrant in my college essay?

Hello everyone, I'm a first-generation immigrant, and I'm considering writing my college essay about my experiences. I want to make sure I convey my story effectively without sounding too cliché. Any …

11 months ago

How do I stay motivated during the college application process?

Hello everyone! I'm a junior in high school, and I'm already feeling stressed and overwhelmed by the thought of the college application process. I know it's a long and challenging journey, but I'm str …

11 months ago

Do colleges look at 7th-semester grades?

Hey everyone, I'm a senior and I sent out my college applications a while back. However, my first-semester grades recently came in and they're higher than my previous GPA. Is there a chance that colle …

11 months ago

Do Ivy League schools have Greek life on campus?

Hello! I'm a junior researching colleges, and I really like the idea of being a part of Greek life. I was wondering if Greek life is common at Ivy League schools or is it something that they don't emp …

11 months ago

How do I ask for recommendation letters without sounding pushy?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I know that I'll need to ask for recommendation letters from my teachers soon. I'm a little nervous about it and I don't want to come across as pushy or demanding. Do you …

11 months ago

How do campuses handle mental health support?

Hello! I'm a high school junior and mental health is really important to me. I'm wondering how colleges typically handle mental health support for students on campus. Any insights or experiences would …

11 months ago

How important are SAT subject tests in the admissions process?

Hello! I'm currently a junior, and I'm a little stressed about college admissions. I was wondering how important SAT subject tests are in determining my chances of getting into a good college. Should …

11 months ago

Can I ask for fee waivers for college applications?

I've been putting together my list of schools that I want to apply to, but I'm worried about the cost of application fees. Is it possible to ask for fee waivers, and if so, how do I go about requestin …

11 months ago

How do I request a college application fee refund?

Hi, I accidentally submitted my college application twice and paid the fee both times. Does anyone know how I can request a refund for the duplicate submission? Any help would be appreciated!

11 months ago

Can studying abroad in high school hurt my college applications?

I spent my junior year studying abroad, and I missed certain activities and courses that other students took at my home school. Will this negatively affect my college applications, or will admissions …

11 months ago

Would learning a new language be considered an extracurricular?

Hi everyone! I'm really passionate about learning languages and have taught myself a new language (with some help from language apps and books) outside of school courses. Is this something I should li …

11 months ago

Is it better to take fewer classes but get better grades?

Hi everyone, I'm currently planning my course schedule for next year (I'm a junior). I'm thinking about taking a lighter course load so I can fully focus on the classes and maintain a high GPA. Will t …

11 months ago

How can I get into Princeton with less-than-stellar grades?

Hey y'all! So Princeton has been my dream school since I was young, but if I'm being honest, my grades aren't the best. I had some personal setbacks in my sophomore year, but I've recovered, and my ex …

11 months ago

Can I pursue a medical career with bad grades?

Hi all, I've always dreamed of being a doctor, but my grades in high school have been less than ideal. I know medical school can be very competitive, so should I even try? Can I still pursue a medical …

11 months ago

Will a gap year hurt my chances of getting into college?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior, and I've been considering taking a gap year after high school. I have some exciting plans and opportunities, but I'm worried that taking a year off might negatively impact …

11 months ago

Is it worth it to go to an expensive, prestigious college?

Hey everyone, I'm a high school junior and I've been thinking about whether it's worth it to go to an expensive, prestigious college. I'm worried about the cost and taking on too much debt. Is the edu …

11 months ago

How do I decide which colleges to apply to for safety, match, and reach schools?

Hi there! I'm working on creating my college list, and I want to make sure I have a good balance of safety, match, and reach schools. How did you all decide which colleges to include in each category? …

11 months ago

Are there any benefits to applying early action/decision?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I'm considering applying to some colleges early action or early decision. Are there any benefits to doing this, like increased chances of admission or better financial a …

11 months ago

Is becoming a doctor still possible with bad grades?

I'm a high school junior and I've always wanted to become a doctor; however, my grades aren't the best. Can I still pursue a career in medicine, or have I already ruined my chances with these subpar g …

11 months ago

Need advice: Should I apply Early Decision even if I need financial aid?

Hi everyone! I'm considering applying Early Decision to Columbia because it's been my dream school for years. However, I've heard that applying ED might limit my financial aid options. Has anyone appl …

11 months ago
Displaying questions 113261-113280 of 115954 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.