CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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 …

Hi everyone, I'm a high school junior, and my GPA isn't as high as I'd like it to be. However, I'm really involved in extracurricular activities like soccer, debate, and volunteering. Can my extracurr …

Hi, I recently got accepted into my dream school, but I'm a little bit stressed now. My grades have slipped during the second semester of my senior year. How bad do my grades have to be for the colleg …

Hey guys! I absolutely love reading and spend a good amount of time on it outside of school. Can it be considered an extracurricular activity for college applications, or should I focus on more formal …

I'm an avid reader and have been involved with my school's book club, as well as participated in reading challenges outside of school. When I'm applying to college, would listing reading as an extracu …

I'm currently in the process of building my college list, and I want to be a competitive applicant for top schools like Harvard and Princeton. What do Ivy League admissions officers typically look for …

I received a 34 on my ACT and I'm considering applying to some Ivy League schools. Is my score competitive enough for these schools, or should I try to retake the exam to improve it? Thoughts and expe …

Hello, I'm a junior trying to figure out how many extracurricular activities I should be involved in to be competitive for Ivy League schools. I have a few that I'm passionate about, but I'm unsure if …

Hi all, I'm a junior and I'm considering double majoring in college. Does expressing an interest in double majoring have any impact on my college applications? Would it be looked at favorably or negat …

Hello! I have a pretty good idea of what I want to major in, but I'm not sure how to find the best colleges for my intended major. Do you have any tips on how to research and find the best college pro …