CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


Is art considered an extracurricular activity?

Hey guys! I enjoy painting and drawing at home, but I'm not involved in any formal art classes or clubs. Can I still consider this an extracurricular activity on my college applications? Thanks in adv …

a year ago

What defines a Research 1 university?

Hey, I'm a bit confused about the concept of a Research 1 university. Can someone please explain what it is and what makes it different from other types of universities? I'm trying to figure out if I …

a year ago

Do colleges care about demonstrated interest?

Hi everyone! I've been researching colleges and I've noticed that some of them track demonstrated interest. How important is this factor in the admissions process? Should I be visiting campuses, atten …

a year ago

How many early decision applications are we allowed to submit?

As I'm working on my college list, I am considering applying early decision to some schools. I am unsure of how many early decision applications I can actually submit, and what the rules and guideline …

a year ago

How do Ivy League schools view part-time jobs on applications?

I work part-time to help support my family, so I don't have as much free time for extracurricular activities. Do Ivy League admissions officers take this into account, or will my lack of involvement i …

a year ago

Can you classify Yale University as a research university?

Hi all, I'm considering applying to Yale University, and I'm curious if it's considered a research university. I would like to know if there are plenty of research opportunities for undergraduate stud …

a year ago

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

Hi all, I'm a junior thinking about who I should ask for recommendation letters for my college applications. When should I ask my teachers for these letters, and what's the best way to approach them? …

a year ago

Do Ivy League schools interview all applicants?

Hey everyone, does anyone know if Ivy League universities interview every single applicant or just certain candidates? If they don't interview everyone, how do they decide who is offered an interview? …

a year ago

Can an SAT score of 1400 be competitive at Ivy League schools?

Hey there, I scored a 1400 on my SAT and I'm wondering if it's good enough for me to have a realistic chance at getting into Ivy League schools. Should I retake the test to get a higher score, or is m …

a year ago

How important is research experience for Ivy League engineering applications?

Hey guys! I'm thinking about applying to Ivy League schools for engineering, but I haven't had the chance to do any research yet. How important is research experience in the admissions process for the …

a year ago

How do you research colleges and universities efficiently?

Hi everyone! As a current junior, I'm in the process of researching different schools for my application list. There's just so much information out there, and I'm not sure how to sift through it all. …

a year ago

Can I still apply to my dream college if I have a low SAT score?

Hey guys! I'm a junior and I recently took the SAT for the first time. My score was a bit lower than I had hoped for, and I'm worried it might affect my chances of getting into my dream college. Shoul …

a year ago

Extracurricular activities for a future computer science major?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior interested in majoring in computer science. What extracurricular activities would make a strong impression on admissions officers for a computer science major? Thanks in adva …

a year ago

Does USC have a strong research emphasis?

Hey guys! I'm researching the University of Southern California (USC) and wanted to find out if it's considered a research university. If so, what kind of undergraduate research opportunities are avai …

a year ago

Looking for research opportunities at Purdue University?

As a prospective engineering student, I'm interested in Purdue University. However, I also want to be involved in undergraduate research. Can someone tell me if Purdue is a research university and wha …

a year ago

What sets a tier 1 research university apart from others?

Hello everyone, I've been going through various college rankings, and I keep encountering 'tier 1 research universities.' I'm not exactly sure what that means or how it differs from other classificati …

a year ago

How can I find a college that's a good fit for me?

Hi all! I'm a junior, and I'm struggling to find colleges that seem like a good fit for me. What are some factors I should consider when looking for a college? Are there any resources that can help me …

a year ago

Do colleges care about grammar and punctuation in essays?

Hi everyone, I'm working on my college essay and I'm wondering how much colleges care about grammar and punctuation. Should I be really strict about it, or can I be a little more casual? Thanks for yo …

a year ago

How important are leadership roles in Ivy League applications?

I hold a few leadership positions in my high school extracurricular activities, but I'm worried that it won't be enough for the Ivy League. How much weight is given to leadership experience when evalu …

a year ago

What distinguishes a public research university?

Hi folks! As I continue my college search, I've noticed that some universities are referred to as 'public research universities'. Could someone clarify what that means? Is there a significant differen …

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.