CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


What's the best way to revise and edit my college essay?

Hey everyone, I've finished a draft of my college essay, but I'm not sure how to go about revising and editing it. Any tips or strategies you found helpful when working on your own essays?

11 months ago

When should I start contacting potential college mentors?

Hi everyone! I'm really interested in doing research during college, and I've already identified some professors at my top-choice colleges who share my research interests. When should I start contacti …

11 months ago

What is the role of demonstrated financial need in the admissions process?

I'm worried that my family's financial situation might affect my chances of admission at some colleges. Do colleges take demonstrated financial need into account during the admissions process? If so, …

11 months ago

What's the meaning of 'public research university'?

Hello everyone! I've seen the term 'public research university' used while researching potential colleges, but I'm not quite sure what it means. Can someone help explain the difference between a publi …

11 months ago

How do I decide if a college is worth the cost?

Hey guys! I've been looking at colleges and I'm worried about the financial aspect. How do I decide if a college is worth the cost, and what factors should I consider when making this decision? Any ad …

11 months ago

What is some advice for finding the right college fit?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior who's been researching colleges, but with so many options, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. How did you find the right college fit? Any tips or advice would be much appreciated …

11 months ago

When should I start prepping for the SAT?

Hi, I'm a junior in high school, and I've heard a lot about the SAT. I was just wondering when I should start preparing for it? Should I start now or wait until senior year? Any advice would be much a …

11 months ago

What's an effective way to explain bad grades to colleges in my application?

I had a rough sophomore year because of some family issues and my grades suffered as a result. How can I highlight my persistence and improvement in my application, and explain the situation to colleg …

11 months ago

How many extracurriculars do Ivy League schools expect?

What's the minimum number of extracurricular activities that Ivy League schools would like to see on an application? Is there a number where they start seeing diminishing returns? I'm feeling stressed …

11 months ago

What should I do if I have a low GPA but strong test scores?

My GPA isn't as high as I'd like it to be, but my standardized test scores are pretty good. How can I make my college application stronger despite my lower GPA? Any advice would be appreciated!

11 months ago

How can I determine the best Ivy League school for me?

Hello everyone! I am in the process of researching colleges and narrowing down my options. How can I determine which Ivy League school would be the best fit for me? I plan on majoring in economics. An …

11 months ago

Any tips for navigating the Common Application?

Hey guys, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with the Common Application's interface. Do you have any tips or helpful resources for navigating the platform and organizing information efficiently? I don' …

11 months ago

Is BYU considered to be a research university?

Hey everybody! I'm thinking about applying to Brigham Young University, and I was wondering if they are considered a research university. If they are, would that give students more opportunities to en …

11 months ago

How do I decide between two similar colleges?

Hello! I've been looking at colleges, and I've found two that seem very similar. How can I decide which one is a better fit for me? What factors should I consider? Thanks for your help!

11 months ago

How do I ask for more financial aid?

Hey friends, I've received my financial aid offers from colleges, and I'm wondering if there's any way to ask for more aid. How can I approach colleges about potentially increasing my financial aid pa …

11 months ago

What are college admissions officers looking for in applicants?

Hi everyone, I'm a high school junior and I'm trying to understand what college admissions officers are looking for when reviewing applications. What factors are most important and how can I make sure …

11 months ago

How should I balance my time between school, extracurriculars, and college applications?

Hello fellow students! I'm a junior and I'm starting to feel overwhelmed with the thought of balancing school, extracurriculars, and college applications. How did you guys manage your time during this …

11 months ago

Are contractions considered informal for college essays?

Hi everyone, I'm a bit stressed about my college essay. I've used contractions in it, and I'm not sure if that makes my writing appear too informal. Do admissions officers frown upon the use of contra …

11 months ago

How do I weigh the importance of financial aid versus prestige?

Hi! I'm a junior trying to decide between some prestigious schools and those that may offer me better financial aid packages. How do I weigh the importance of financial aid and the long-term value of …

11 months ago

How much do colleges care about class rank?

Hi everyone, my school actually ranks students by GPA. I'm currently ranked 25 out of 300, and I'm worried that this might negatively affect my chances of admission at highly competitive schools. How …

11 months ago
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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.