CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hey guys, I've taken the SAT once already and didn't get the score I was hoping for. I'm planning to take it again, but I'm a little worried that colleges might view this negatively. Do they care how …

I always dreamed of attending Princeton, but I know my grades aren't competitive. I have a strong upward trend, though. What else can I strengthen in my application to increase my chances? Will a good …

Hi there! I'm currently a junior starting to think about how I'll finance my college education. My grades aren't the best, and I'm worried it might affect my ability to get a student loan. Is this som …

Hey, guys! I want to apply to an Ivy League university but I'm having trouble deciding which one is the best fit for me. What should I consider when choosing which Ivy League school to apply to? Thank …

Hey guys, I've seen the terms 'reach,' 'match,' and 'safety' schools tossed around here quite a bit, but I'm not entirely sure about their definitions. Can someone please explain what they mean? Thank …

I'm working on my college essay and I'm not sure if it's standard to double space the essay or not. Do colleges have a preference or is it okay to single space it? I want to make sure I'm following al …

There are so many amazing Ivy League schools, and I'm struggling to figure out which one would be the best fit for me. Can anyone offer advice or resources to help me narrow down my choices? Thank you …

Hey everyone, I'm from a small rural town in the Midwest, and I'm looking to apply to colleges like Brown, Cornell, and Vanderbilt. How much of a factor is geographical diversity in college admissions …

Hi all! So both my parents are alumni of a reputable university, and I'm planning on applying there soon. I was wondering if legacy students like me are still getting admitted at higher rates? I have …

Hey everyone, as I go through the college application process, I keep coming across the term 'research university.' I'm wondering what exactly this means and how it differs from other types of univers …

Hello! I'm a high school junior with my sights set on Stanford University. While researching, I'd like to know whether it's considered a research university. And if so, what kind of undergraduate rese …

Hey everyone, as I'm narrowing down my college choices, I can't help but wonder if the hype surrounding Ivy League schools is really warranted. Are the quality of education and opportunities truly bet …

Hi all! With so many students applying to college, I'm wondering how I can make my application stand out. Are there any unique tips or strategies you guys have used to differentiate yourselves from ot …

Hey everyone, I just received my SAT score of 1500 and am considering applying to a few Ivy League schools. Is my current score competitive enough, or should I retake the test to improve my chances of …

I'm starting to work on my college applications and I'm wondering if I need to write separate essays for each school I apply to, or if I can use the same essay with minor tweaks. What's the best appro …

Hey everyone, I'm a junior, and I'm starting to feel a little stressed about the college application process. I want to make sure I'm on track and not forgetting anything important. What should I be d …

Both of my parents attended the college that I'm applying to and I know that being a legacy can sometimes give applicants a slight advantage. How do I make sure I'm leveraging this legacy status in my …

Hey guys! I currently have a 3.9 unweighted GPA and am aiming for Ivy League schools. I'm a little concerned because it's not a perfect 4.0. Is my GPA strong enough, or should I focus on improving my …

Hey guys, I've heard people talking about having a 'hook' when applying to college, but I'm not exactly sure what that means. Can anyone explain this concept to me? Thanks!

Hey everyone, I'm struggling to find the right balance when it comes to selecting schools for my college application list. I want to make sure I'm adequately researching each option, but I'm not sure …