CollegeVine Expert FAQ

I took a gap year to explore my passions and gain work experience. How should I emphasize this in my college applications? Is it an advantage or disadvantage, and how can I make the most of it? Thanks …

Hi all! As I compile my college list, I'm interested in finding out which universities are considered the top research institutions in the US. Can anyone recommend some schools or point me to a reliab …

Hi everyone! I have a pretty good sense of humor and I am considering incorporating it into my college essay. Is humor appropriate for college essays, or should I stick to a more serious tone? I want …

Hi, I'm trying to balance my time between school, sports, clubs, and volunteer work. What's the ideal number of extracurricular activities to be involved in to be considered competitive for Ivy League …

Hello! As a first-generation immigrant, I want my college essay to reflect my unique experiences and background. Do any of you have advice or suggestions for writing a compelling essay about being an …

Hi all! I'm working on my college apps, and I'm wondering if colleges know when we re-use the same essay for different schools? I have a pretty solid essay that I think would work well for several pro …

I recently got a 1500 on my SAT, and I'm wondering if it's enough for Ivy League admissions. My GPA, extracurriculars, and recommendations are all strong, but I'm unsure about my test score. What do y …

Hello fellow applicants! So, here's my situation. I'm currently a junior with a 3.3 GPA. I know, not the greatest, especially for a top school like UCLA. Despite my bad grades, I have a strong backgro …

I will be applying to college soon, and I am unsure of how to pick a range of colleges that are a good match for me. I have a mixture of reach, match, and safety colleges, but I'm still uncertain if I …

Hello! I took the SAT and got a 1400. I'm really worried if this score is competitive enough to apply to Ivy League schools. Should I try to retake the test, or do you think my score is enough to be c …

Hey guys! I scored below the average SAT scores of students typically admitted to Ivy League schools. However, I'd still like to apply to a few, and I'm wondering if anyone here faced a similar situat …

So, I'm really into creative writing and I've won a few regional awards for my work. I'm planning on majoring in English or Creative Writing. Would it be a good idea to include a portfolio of my writi …

I've heard that demonstrating interest can be an important factor in college admissions. What exactly does this entail, and what are some ways that I can show my interest in specific schools?

Hello, I'm a junior and I've been thinking about when to submit my college applications. Does submitting an application early (before the deadline) have any benefits or advantages? Or does it not make …

I recently got a 33 on my ACT, and I'm not sure if it's enough for Ivy League admissions. I have a great GPA, many extracurriculars, and good recommendations, but I'm worried about this score. Should …

Hey there! I just got my SAT score back and I got a 1450. My top choice is UCLA and I'm really passionate about attending. Should I retake the test to try to get a higher score or do you think it's go …

I'm currently writing my college essay and I've noticed that I've used a few contractions. I've heard mixed opinions on whether or not to use them. Should I go back and change them or just leave them …

Hello! I'm stressing about my AP exam scores and how they'll impact my chances of getting into an Ivy League school. Do these schools value AP exam scores as much as other aspects of the application? …

Hey everyone, I'm a bit stressed about managing my schoolwork and the college application process at the same time. I want to make sure I'm doing well in my classes but also putting in enough effort i …

Hi! I'm a junior and I just started thinking about the whole college application process. One aspect that's making me nervous is college interviews. When should I start preparing for them and what res …