CollegeVine Expert FAQ

I'm feeling a bit confused about the distinction between a regular university and a public research university. Do public research universities have a better reputation or should I look at both types …

Hey everyone! I'm planning on majoring in computer science, but I have a strong passion for visual arts. I'm wondering if it's possible to submit an arts supplement even if I'm not majoring in art? Wo …

West Point has always been a dream for me, but I have some low grades during my freshman and sophomore year. I've shown improvement, but I'm still worried it could hurt my chances. Should I concentrat …

Hi everyone, I'm wondering if it's acceptable to use abbreviations (like 'etc.' or 'e.g.') in a college essay, or if it's better to write everything out completely. Please let me know your thoughts! T …

Hey everyone, I'm a junior who's been researching colleges and I'm struggling to decide whether I'd prefer a large or small college. What are the pros and cons of each? How did you guys make this deci …

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I've been feeling really burnt out with school. I'm considering the idea of taking a gap year after high school before attending college. How do colleges typically view gap …

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I've started preparing for the SAT. I know there are a lot of resources out there, but I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. Could you please help me figure out what the most ef …

Hey everyone, I was just wondering what class rank would be considered competitive for Ivy League admissions. In my school, I'm currently ranked in the top 10%. Is this good enough, or do I need to wo …

Hello everyone! I'm a junior in high school and I'm considering applying to Stanford. I know it is a prestigious university, but I want to know if it is considered a research university and what kind …

Hi everyone! I'm a sophomore at the moment, and I'll need to start preparing for college entrance exams soon. I'm not sure whether to take the SAT, the ACT, or both. What are the main differences betw …

Hey guys! I've been looking into colleges, and what I'm interested in is a research university that offers great resources and opportunities while also retaining a liberal arts feel. Does anyone have …

Hello, I'm a high school junior and I'm starting to think about writing my personal statement for college applications. I want to create a compelling and unique essay, but I'm not sure where to start. …

Hey guys. I recently took the SAT and got a score of 1400, which I know is decent, but I'm not sure if it's good enough for the Ivy League. Should I retake the SAT and try to improve my score, or do y …

Hi everyone! So, I'm on the hunt for colleges that offer strong research opportunities, but I also want that liberal arts feel with smaller class sizes and a tight-knit community. Any recommendations …

I'm a junior planning to apply to several Ivy League schools next year, and I'm curious about what factors they prioritize. I know they're extremely competitive, but which aspects of my application sh …

I've struggled with mental health challenges during high school, which has impacted my academics and extracurriculars. I want to provide context in my application, but I'm not sure how to discuss this …

Hi all! I've been curious about the criteria that make a school an Ivy League institution. It seems like they're not always just about academic prestige. Can anyone shed some light on this?

Hi! I've been considering applying to Ivy League schools, but I am planning on majoring in humanities (specifically English). Is it worth applying to these schools for a humanities major, or should I …

Hey guys, I got a 4 on one of my APs. I know it's not the highest score possible, but is it good enough for Ivy League schools? Should I report it on my application, or will it hurt my chances since i …

Hi everyone! I'm in the process of editing my college essay and I noticed that I've used a few contractions (like I'm, don't, etc.). I've heard mixed opinions on whether or not to use them. Should I k …