CollegeVine Expert FAQ

I'm passionate about photography and have a solid portfolio, but I plan to apply for a non-art major. Is it still possible to submit an arts supplement to showcase my skills, or is that reserved for a …

Hi everyone! I'm a junior, and I've been thinking about whether the prestige of a college really matters. I know some people say it's important, while others say it's not a big deal. What do you guys …

Hi all! I've been told that having a certain number of community service hours is important for college applications. Is this true? If so, how many hours should I aim for? Thanks for any advice you ca …

Hey everyone! I'm considering taking a gap year after high school for personal reasons. I've heard mixed opinions on whether this is a good idea or not. Do you think colleges generally frown upon gap …

I have the opportunity to join a research project in my desired field (biomedical engineering) this summer. Would this help set me apart in the competitive pool of Ivy League applications, or should I …

Hi, I'm a junior with a part-time job, and I haven't had much time to volunteer. Do college admissions committees view part-time work experience and volunteering equally, or do they prefer one over th …

Hey there! I'm wondering if it's worth applying to colleges that don't provide merit scholarships. While some of these schools are my top choices, I'm concerned about the cost of attendance. What fact …

Hello everyone! I'm a junior, and I'm planning to attend a college fair soon. I want to make a great impression on the college representatives, but I'm not sure what to do or what questions to ask. Wh …

Hi, everyone! I'm a junior and I know that many colleges went test-optional due to COVID-19, but I'm wondering how important standardized tests still are in the college admissions process? Should I st …

I'm starting to write my college applications and research Ivy League universities like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. They all seem amazing, but how do I determine which one is the right fit for me? A …

Hello everyone, I have a funny story that I think would make a great college essay, but I'm not sure if a humorous tone is appropriate. Can I write a funny essay, or should I stick to a more serious a …

Hey everyone, I'm worried about financing my college education since my GPA is not the best. Can I still qualify for student loans with a lower GPA? If so, what are the requirements for applying? Any …

Hi guys, I'm a junior and I'm already feeling overwhelmed by the thought of applying to college. How did you manage your time during the application process to stay on track and not get too stressed? …

Hello, I'm a junior, and I'm trying to decide whether to attend a community college or a four-year university after high school. What are the pros and cons of each option, and what factors should I co …

Hey all, I'm curious as to why MIT, which is a prestigious institution, isn't considered part of the Ivy League despite its academic excellence. Is it because of the specific area of focus or some oth …

Hello! I recently took a practice SAT and I noticed my critical reading and writing scores were lower than my math score. These sections are pretty important for the major I want to pursue (English). …

Hey everyone, I'm a junior wondering if colleges have a preference between ACT and SAT scores. Should I focus on one more than the other? What's been your experience with this? Thanks!

Hi everyone, I'm a junior and I've been looking into summer programs at colleges related to my potential major (biology). However, they're quite expensive, and I'm not sure if they would significantly …

Hey guys! I'm a junior in high school and starting to think about potential college majors. What factors should I consider when making this decision? How can I make sure I choose a major that's right …

Hey guys, I recently got a 1490 on the SAT and I'm wondering if that's considered a strong score for Ivy League admissions. Should I be satisfied with this or consider retaking the test for a higher s …