CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hi there, I'm finding it tough to balance schoolwork, extracurriculars, and college applications. How do you all manage your time and maintain a sense of balance during this process? Any tips would be …

Hello! I'm a junior, and I'm starting to think about which AP classes to take next year. I'm not sure whether I should take ones related to my future major (biology) or branch out and take a variety o …

Hey guys, so I've been working on creating a list of schools I plan on applying to in the fall. I'm interested in studying biomedical engineering and have a 3.9 GPA and a 32 ACT score. Here's my curre …

I am currently a junior and really want to engage in research work during my undergraduate years. Is Columbia University a research university? How are the research opportunities for undergraduates?

Hi all! I'm a junior starting the college application process, and I'm curious about the significance of the essay. How much weight does it carry in terms of the overall application? Would a strong es …

Hey guys! I need to write a research paper on a university for one of my high school assignments, covering topics like its history, programs, campus life, etc. Do you have any tips or suggestions on h …

Hey, I've been taking art classes outside of school and regularly participate in local art competitions. I'm unsure if I can include this as an extracurricular activity on my college application. Your …

Hello everyone! I'm a high school junior considering Northwestern University for my higher education, but I'm not sure if it's classified as a research university. Can anyone provide some insight into …

I'm currently a junior and I'm wondering when the best time is to start applying for college scholarships. Should I start now or wait until senior year? Thanks for any advice!

Hey everyone! I currently have a 3.9 GPA, and I'm curious to know if that's strong enough for an Ivy League application. Is it possible to get into one of these prestigious schools with this GPA, or s …

Hi everyone, I'm a high school junior trying to plan my college applications. Could you please give me some advice on what to look for when conducting my research on colleges and universities? Are the …

Hi everyone! I'm a bit stressed about my senior year course load. How do I balance maintaining a high GPA and challenging myself with rigorous courses? Will colleges care if I take fewer AP/IB classes …

Hi guys, I'm a junior starting to stress a little bit about college applications. I'm involved in a variety of extracurriculars but I haven't really won any awards/competitions and I'm worried about h …

I feel that humor is a big part of my personality and I think it would help showcase who I am in my college essay. Is using humor in college essays generally acceptable, or should I stick to a more fo …

Hey guys! I'm a junior, and I'm concerned that my GPA might not be as high as it could be. I've been working hard to improve it, but I'm worried that it might still hurt my chances of getting into a g …

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I need to decide whether to take the ACT, SAT, or both. I've heard different opinions on which test is better, but I'm not sure what's best for me. How should I decide wh …

Hi there, I'm a senior who just landed an internship at a local tech company. I'm really excited about it, but I'm not sure if I should include it on my college applications since I'll only start afte …

Hey guys! I'm a sophomore and I want to use my summer break wisely to strengthen my college applications. Are there any summer programs or activities you'd recommend that would be beneficial to partic …

Hi guys, I'm a junior, and I'm starting to look for college scholarships. What can I do to improve my chances of receiving scholarships and reduce the financial burden of college? Does Collegevine hav …

Hey guys, I'm curious about the role teacher recommendations play in college applications. How much weight do colleges give to these recommendations, and what can I do to make sure I get strong letter …