CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hi everyone, I'm in my junior year, and I've been a bit confused about class rank and GPA on college applications. Which is more important to colleges? Should I focus more on improving my rank or GPA, …

My parents have been divorced for a few years, and I'm unsure how to navigate the FAFSA process. Should I list both of their incomes, or just one? Would really appreciate some advice from someone with …

Hi, I'm a little stressed as I'm starting my college search. I've been hearing mixed opinions about Ivy League schools. Are they really worth it? Or are they just overhyped schools that overcharge for …

I've often wondered how colleges fund the numerous research projects they take on. Are there any implications of this funding process on undergraduate students? For instance, does it affect tuition or …

Hello, I scored a 1480 on my SAT and am thinking about applying to schools like Dartmouth and Columbia. Do you think my score is competitive enough, or should I try to improve it?

I took the ACT and got a 33, and now I'm worried if it's good enough for Ivy League colleges. Has anyone here applied and gotten in with a similar score? I'm trying to figure out if I should retake it …

Hi, I've come across the term 'yield protection' while researching college admissions. Can someone please explain what it means and how it affects the admissions process? Thanks for your help!

I've been trying to write my college essay for weeks now, but every time I sit down to write, I can't think of anything. Do you guys have any tips for overcoming writer's block and getting started on …

Hey guys! I'm a junior, and my high school offers both AP and IB courses. I'm wondering how colleges view these two types of classes when evaluating applicants. Do they have a preference for one over …

Hi all, I'm a high school junior looking to apply to research universities, and I came across New York University (NYU). Does NYU have a strong research focus? Should I consider it on my list of resea …

Hey guys! I'm curious to know what some of the most common mistakes students make on their college applications are, so that I can avoid them during my own application process. Any insights or tips yo …

Hello collegevine, I'm a high school junior who dreams of attending a top-tier university. I have good grades and extracurriculars, but I know the competition is extremely tough. What can I do to impr …

Hey everyone! I'm curious if it's possible to apply for financial aid after receiving an acceptance letter. I'm not sure if my family will need financial assistance, but I want to be prepared in case …

I'm a junior and I'm starting to feel a little stressed about the whole college application process. When should I actually start applying to colleges? Is there a specific timeline I should follow? Th …

Hi everyone! I've recently been accepted to a few colleges with strong pre-med programs (Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and UPenn), and I'm finding it really tough to decide which one to attend. What factors …

Hi everyone, I'm brainstorming ideas for my college essay, and I thought incorporating dialogue could liven it up and make it more interesting to read. Is it okay to use dialogue in a college essay, o …

Hello! I'm a junior exploring college options. I'm focusing on research universities and came across Tufts. Does Tufts offer the research opportunities and facilities that I'm looking for as a part of …

I'm interested in attending Penn State, but I also want to engage in research during my college years. Is Penn State considered a research university? Are there good undergraduate research opportuniti …

Hi all! I know the Ivy League schools are prestigious, but could anyone help me understand what really sets them apart from other universities? Is it just the academics, or are there other factors I s …

If I end up being waitlisted by my dream college, what steps should I take to increase my chances of being accepted off the waitlist? Are there any specific things I should do or avoid doing? Thanks f …