CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Alabama has quite a few HBCUs, and each seems to have its own strengths. Anyone able to shed light on which ones are considered the best overall or have specific standout programs?

Hi folks, I'm starting to look at colleges and I'm really interested in the culture and community at HBCUs. But I'm kinda lost on where to start. What things should I consider when looking at HBCUs? A …

So I'm thinking ahead and I'm really interested in law. I'm drawn to the culture and history of HBCUs. Can anyone share their experiences or insights about the academic rigor and opportunities availab …

Hey people, I heard that some colleges don't focus much on GPA when reviewing applications. Is that true? Could you list some of those colleges or point me towards resources that might help? Also, how …

I've got my first college interview lined up next week, and I'm sweating over what to wear. Should I go full business formal, or is something semi-formal okay? If you've had an interview, what did you …

Feeling a bit in the dark here, but I need some clarification. What percentage would a perfect 4.0 GPA be equivalent to? Does this vary from school to school or is there a standard?

Hi peeps, I've been seeing a lot of different GPA scales and it’s a bit overwhelming. Does anyone know if there's one standard scale that colleges refer to when looking at our GPAs, or does it vary fr …

Thinking about my future and wanting to dive into engineering. I’m leaning towards an HBCU for my undergrad and could use advice on which have the best engineering programs. I’m especially interested …

Alright so, I've been checking out the US News college rankings a lot recently and I'm starting to make my college list based on it. But I'm curious, should I be taking these rankings with a grain of …

Just started thinking about my essays, and I’m looking to apply to Columbia. Does anyone know what the most recent essay prompt is, or where I can find it? I want to make sure I'm responding to the co …

Howdy! I've been looking into HBCUs in Texas but I'm kind of swamped trying to figure out which one might be the best fit for me. Does anyone from these colleges have some personal stories or pro tips …

Hey all, I'm applying to Drexel and just saw that they have a supplemental essay. Does anyone know what topics they typically ask about, and how much weight does it carry in the admissions process?

Hey everyone, I'm trying to write my college essays and I'm kinda stressed about how to effectively communicate my greatest talent or skill without sounding arrogant. How have others approached this, …

I'm a bit confused with the whole EA process. Could someone break down when the majority of Early Action deadlines fall? I want to make sure I don't miss out just because I got the dates mixed up. Any …

Hey guys, I’m trying to understand how my GPA reflects on my transcript in terms of letter grades. Can anyone explain how a GPA number converts to a letter grade? For example, what letter grade would …

So, I heard some chatter about the SAT going digital and I'm wondering, does anyone know when this will happen? Will it affect those of us who're planning to take it in the next year or two? Honestly …

I've been hearing different things from different people and it's kinda confusing. Some say junior year is the ultimate deal-maker or breaker, others say it’s a mix. Can anyone tell me which year of h …

I'm a junior interested in medicine and I've heard about the Pitt BSMD program. It seems like a solid path, but I’m a little unsure about how competitive it is or what they look for in an applicant. D …

Our AP Lang teacher assigned us a debate project and said that choosing a good topic is half the battle won. What are some debatable topics that high schools usually go for that are complex enough to …

Hey guys, I'm applying to Carleton and I'm working on my supplemental essays. I'm wondering how specific I should get about my personal experiences and interests? Should I focus on stories that highli …