CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hi everyone, I really want to attend West Point, but my grades aren't exactly stellar. Is it still possible for me to get in, and if so, how can I improve my chances? Are strong extracurriculars and a …

Hey everyone! In my college essay, I want to include a quote from a book that had a significant impact on me. Is it okay to include quotes in my essay or would that be seen as unoriginal or lazy? I wa …

I have a 4.0 GPA, strong test scores, and am involved in a variety of extracurricular activities, but I know that competition for Ivy League schools is fierce. What can I do to make my application eve …

Hi there! I'm a junior, and I got an internship at a research lab for this summer. I'm really excited and want to make the most of the experience, but I'm also a bit nervous. How can I ensure that I u …

I'm wondering if I should even bother applying to Ivy League schools, considering their insanely low acceptance rates. Is it worth the effort if the odds are so heavily stacked against me? Any advice …

Hey everyone, I'm a junior considering taking a gap year after high school, but I'm unsure of how colleges perceive this decision. If I take a gap year and reapply to colleges, how will this affect my …

Hi all, I was wondering how important SAT scores are in the college admissions process. I know they're just one part of the application, but how much weight do they carry? Thanks for any insight!

Hey guys, I'm a junior, and I'm trying to decide if I should apply to liberal arts colleges or universities. What are the main differences between the two, and what factors should I consider when maki …

Hey everyone, I'm applying for multiple scholarships and was wondering if I can submit the same essay (maybe with a few tweaks) for different applications. Is this considered unethical? Will it work? …

Hello! I have a choice of taking either AP or IB classes in my high school and I'm curious to know - are IB courses generally considered more challenging than AP courses? Any input from students who'v …

Hi everyone! I'm a high school junior feeling a little stressed about choosing a major before applying to college. How do I decide what I want to study? Is it okay if I'm not sure yet? Any advice woul …

Hi everyone! I'm trying to find the right balance between focusing on my academics and participating in extracurricular activities. What do colleges value more: a higher GPA with fewer extracurricular …

Hello! I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about applying for scholarships to help pay for college. My GPA isn't the best (around a 3.0) due to some personal challenges I faced in my earlier high s …

Hello friends, I'm in the midst of the writing process for my college essays, and I wanted to allocate my time more efficiently. Where should I give more attention: my personal statement or my supplem …

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I've been focusing on community service hours and taking on leadership positions in clubs. I want to know which is more valued by top colleges like the Ivy League – servi …

Hi all, I'm a junior, and I'm getting nervous about college interviews. What are some tips for improving my interview skills and making a good impression? Thanks for any help!

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I just got my SAT scores back. I scored a 1530, which I'm really proud of! However, my GPA isn't that great (3.4 unweighted). Will colleges overlook my GPA because of my hig …

Hi fellow students and collegevine! I'm a junior and I know I'll be really busy next year with schoolwork, extracurriculars, and college applications. How can I manage my time effectively and avoid ge …

Hey everyone, I'm currently working on my college essays and I have a personal story that contains some strong language. I was wondering if it's acceptable to use swear words in my essay or if I shoul …

Hey there! I've been in my school's choir for a few years now and I'm wondering if that's considered an extracurricular activity when applying for college? Do colleges usually view choir as a valuable …