CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


What characteristics define an Ivy League school?

Hello everyone! I was wondering what makes a school part of Ivy League, and why these schools are so prestigious? Is it due to their location, history, or academic programs? I'm trying to understand t …

a year ago

What are some of the top research universities in the US?

Hi, I'm a high school junior and I'm interested in attending a research university for college. Can anyone provide me with a list of some of the top research universities in the US or point me towards …

a year ago

How should I prepare for a college admissions interview?

Hello everyone, I'm a junior and will be participating in some college admissions interviews soon. How can I best prepare for these interviews, and what kind of questions should I expect? Any tips wou …

a year ago

Is it possible to get into an Ivy League school with a B average?

I've gotten mostly B's throughout high school but have really strong extracurriculars and leadership roles. Is it still possible for me to get into an Ivy League school, or should I set my sights on d …

a year ago

Can I become a doctor even with some poor grades in high school?

My ultimate goal is to become a doctor, but my high school grades aren't consistent. Is it still possible to achieve this goal? What steps should I take in college to make up for the less-than-stellar …

a year ago

Can I get into West Point with below-average grades?

Hey everyone, I've been dreaming of attending West Point for years, but my grades aren't the best. However, I'm a 3-time state champion in wrestling, and I hold several leadership positions at my scho …

a year ago

When is the best time to ask for teacher recommendation letters?

Hi everyone! I know that getting recommendation letters is a crucial part of the college application process. I'm a junior and starting to think ahead. When is the best time to ask my teachers for a l …

a year ago

Is a 1500 SAT score competitive enough for the Ivy League?

Hi all, I just got my SAT score back and it's a 1500, and I'm happy with it. However, I'm planning to apply to Ivy League schools like Harvard, Yale, and Dartmouth. Is a 1500 SAT score good enough to …

a year ago

Dealing with a schedule change and its impact on my application?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior, and I recently found out that my schedule for senior year might change, which means I might not be able to take a STEM AP class I was hoping to take. How will this impact m …

a year ago

Does having a job count as an extracurricular activity?

Hey guys, I work part-time after school, and I was wondering if that counts as an extracurricular activity on my college applications? I don't have a ton of other activities, so I'm hoping my job expe …

a year ago

What should I prioritize for my college application during junior year?

Hi all, I'm a little stressed about the whole college application process. I want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to prepare for it. As a junior, what should I be focusing on right now? Any ad …

a year ago

How important are AP exam scores in college admissions?

Hey guys! I'm a high school junior, and I've been taking AP classes throughout my high school career. I know that colleges look at AP classes and grades, but I'm wondering how important AP exam scores …

a year ago

Can you become a nurse with below-average grades?

I'm a high school junior planning on pursuing a nursing career. However, my grades are not as good as I'd like them to be. Can I still get into a decent nursing program with lower grades? What can I d …

a year ago

How do I decide which Ivy League school is right for me?

Hey everyone, I'm considering applying to Ivy League schools, but I'm not sure which one would be the best fit for me. How did you decide which one to apply to or attend? I'm looking for some guidance …

a year ago

Any advice on how to explain bad grades to colleges?

Hi! I'm a junior and I've realized that my grades aren't the best (GPA of 2.7). I struggled with some health problems last year, which seriously impacted my performance at school. How can I explain th …

a year ago

Is tutoring an extracurricular activity?

Hello everyone! I volunteer as a tutor for my peers and younger students after school. I'm unsure if tutoring would be considered an extracurricular activity on college applications. Can anyone provid …

a year ago

Struggling to choose a major, any advice?

Hey everyone, I'm really struggling with deciding what major to pursue in college. How did you pick your major or at least narrow your options down? I obviously want to choose a major that can lead to …

a year ago

Would studying abroad before college improve my application?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior thinking about doing a gap year and studying abroad before applying to college. I believe it'll give me a chance to grow and learn, but I'm unsure if colleges see these exper …

a year ago

How do colleges view work experience at a family business?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior who's been working at my family's small business since freshman year, taking on various roles and responsibilities. How will colleges perceive this work experience, especiall …

a year ago

Do Ivy League schools offer athletic scholarships?

Hey everyone! I'm an athlete with a decent shot at getting recruited for my sport. I was wondering if Ivy League schools provide athletic scholarships or if they only give financial aid based on need. …

a year ago
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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.