CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


Is a 33 ACT score competitive enough for Ivy League?

Hey everyone, I recently got my ACT scores and I got a 33. I'm pretty happy with it, but I wanted to know if this score is strong enough to be considered for admission to Ivy League schools. I appreci …

11 months ago

Does volunteering abroad look good on Ivy League applications?

I have the chance to take part in a volunteer project abroad, helping with education and community development. While I'm motivated to do this for personal growth, I'm also wondering if it will help h …

11 months ago

How do I choose which Ivy League school to apply to?

Hi everyone, I'm in the process of building my college list, and I'd like to include at least one ivy league school. How do I determine which one would be the best fit for me? I want to major in inter …

11 months ago

How much do colleges care about leadership roles in extracurriculars?

Hey everyone, I am currently in 11th grade, and I'm wondering how important leadership roles are in extracurricular activities when it comes to college applications. I'm involved in a few clubs, but I …

11 months ago

As an international student, what should I focus on to improve my chances at the Ivies?

Hello! I'm an international student from Australia, and I'm planning on applying to top universities in the U.S., especially some of the Ivy League schools. I have strong academics but I'm unsure abou …

11 months ago

Does Duke have a reputation as a research university?

Hey guys! As I'm working on my college list, I've been wondering if Duke is considered a research university. I'm really interested in research opportunities, and it might affect my decision to apply …

11 months ago

Would you classify Northwestern as a research university?

Hey guys, I'm currently a junior exploring different colleges to apply to in the coming year. I'm particularly interested in research opportunities, so I wanted to know if Northwestern University is c …

11 months ago

Can I use abbreviations in my college essays?

Hey everyone! I was wondering if it's acceptable to use abbreviations in my college essay, like 'US' for 'United States' or 'NBA' for 'National Basketball Association'. Are abbreviations okay, or shou …

11 months ago

Reapplicant: How can I show that I've improved since the last application cycle?

Hey there, I applied to my dream school last year but was rejected. I'm planning on reapplying, and I want to show them that I've worked on improving myself since my last application. Is there a certa …

11 months ago

Does submitting a music supplement help?

I'm not planning to major in music, but I'm skilled at playing an instrument and interested in participating in music ensembles in college. Would submitting a music supplement to non-music programs gi …

11 months ago

Are legacy admissions at Ivy League schools still a major factor?

Hey everyone, my family members have a history of attending Ivy League schools, and I'm curious if this legacy status still plays a big role in admissions? I'm trying to gauge my chances and see if it …

11 months ago

What questions should I ask during college tours?

Hi! I'm a high school junior planning to visit some colleges soon. I want to make the most of my time on campus and get a good feel for each school. What are some important questions to ask during col …

11 months ago

Am I aiming too high with my college list?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior planning on majoring in computer science, and I have a 3.85 GPA and 1460 SAT score. I'm hoping to apply to MIT, Stanford, and some Ivies, but I'm also considering UC Berkeley …

11 months ago

How can I make my college application more competitive?

Hi all! I'm a junior in high school, and I'm working on my college applications. I want to make sure my application is as competitive as possible. What are some things I can do to improve my applicati …

11 months ago

Do I need to take both the ACT and SAT?

I'm a bit confused about standardized testing. Do I need to take both the ACT and SAT for college applications, or is it enough to take just one of them? Which one do colleges prefer? Thanks for your …

11 months ago

How to make the most out of college fairs and info sessions?

With college application season around the corner, I want to take full advantage of college fairs and information sessions to get a better understanding of the schools I'm interested in. How can I eff …

11 months ago

How do I decide whether to live on-campus or off-campus?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about my living situation in college. I'm not sure if I should plan to live on-campus or off-campus. Can you guys share some pros and cons of each o …

11 months ago

What's the difference between reach, match, and safety schools?

Hi everyone! So I'm a junior starting my college search, and I'm a bit confused about reach, match, and safety school classifications. Could someone give me a rundown of the differences? Thank you!

11 months ago

How do I determine which AP classes to take?

Hi everyone! I'm in the process of selecting my courses for next year, and I'm not sure which AP classes I should take. How can I decide which ones are the best fit for me and my college goals? Thanks …

11 months ago

Should I have someone else read my college essay before submitting?

I've been working on my college essay and I'm wondering if I should have someone else read it before I submit it. Is it a good idea to get feedback or should I trust my own judgement?

11 months ago
Displaying questions 113961-113980 of 117506 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.