CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


AP European History - how tough is it really?

Hey all! I'm planning out my schedule for next year, and I’m considering AP European History. For those who've taken it, how hard is the class and exam? I want to challenge myself but not get overwhel …

9 months ago

What's the cost of attending an HBCU?

I've been looking at a couple of HBCUs and I'm super interested! Can anyone share some insight into the general price range for attending an HBCU?

9 months ago

Will a 2.5 GPA hold me back from getting into a decent college?

Hey everyone, I'm feeling a bit stressed about my GPA situation. So I currently have a 2.5 and I'm wondering if there are colleges out there that will accept me. Are there any success stories or advic …

9 months ago

Emory essay prompts: tips?

Hello, fellow high school friends! I'm a junior looking into Emory University, and I'm curious about their essay prompts. Would anyone be able to share some tips on how to approach the Emory essays? A …

9 months ago

Writing an essay about overcoming a challenge

I've faced a few significant challenges in my life, and I'm considering writing my college essay about one. How do I choose which challenge to write about, and what advice do you have for making sure …

9 months ago

Are the College Board surveys actually useful?

I keep getting emails to fill out College Board surveys with the promise that they'll help with college stuff. Have any of you filled these out, and do they actually offer any value in the admissions …

9 months ago

What is the best way to explain how I spent my last two summers during high school?

I need some advice on how to approach the 'How did you spend your last two summers?' question on my college applications. Should I focus on my jobs, the skills I learned, or just cool experiences I ha …

9 months ago

What's the easiest engineering major to pursue?

I'm a junior in high school and I have been considering studying engineering in college. I wonder which engineering major is typically regarded as the least challenging. I'm definitely willing to put …

9 months ago

Which HBCUs are consistently ranked in the top 20 and why?

I’m starting to look into HBCUs and want to get an idea of which ones are usually considered top-tier. What factors contribute to these HBCUs being ranked in the top 20, and how might attending one be …

9 months ago

Path to becoming a diplomat - where do I start in high school?

I’ve been dreaming about a career in diplomacy for a while now. For those in the know, what should I be focusing on in high school to set myself up for this path? Are there specific courses, extracurr …

9 months ago

What's the largest HBCU in Virginia?

Hey guys! I'm considering my college options and I'm curious, which HBCU in Virginia has the largest student body? I'm looking for a vibrant campus life and I figure size might be an indicator of that …

9 months ago

Examples of diversity essays that worked for college admissions?

Writing about my diverse background feels daunting, and I'm kind of stuck on my college essay. Does anyone have examples of diversity essays that were successful in college applications, or tips for h …

9 months ago

When is HBCU Pride Day celebrated?

Hey everyone! I heard about HBCU Pride Day and I'm interested in participating next time. Does anyone know when it's typically held?

9 months ago

Does SAT superscoring really work in my favor?

Hi guys! I heard about SAT superscoring but I'm slightly stumped about how it actually helps. Does every college do this? How should I plan my test-taking strategy around it?

9 months ago

How does decile/quintile/quartile class rank affect college admissions?

I just found out I'm in the third quintile of my class rank. I'm really worried this might affect my chances at some colleges I'm applying to. How do colleges view class rank, and should I be concerne …

9 months ago

Test-Optional Admissions Strategy

Okay, so I’m not the best standardised test taker and with many schools going test-optional, I’m thinking about not submitting my scores. But does applying test-optional hurt you in the admissions pro …

9 months ago

Can you provide a list of all HBCUs with strong STEM programs?

Hi friends! I'm compiling a list of potential colleges and was hoping someone might have a list of all HBCUs that excel particularly in STEM areas. I'm interested in engineering and computer science a …

9 months ago

What are some easy college electives to take?

I'm trying to plan out my ideal college schedule and I was wondering if you guys have any suggestions on easy electives to take that will still be enjoyable. Are there any classes that you have found …

9 months ago

Is there a surefire strategy to achieve a GPA above a 4.0?

I've been hearing a lot about weighted GPAs and how some students manage to get above a 4.0. I'm a bit confused about how that works and what classes I should take to boost my GPA beyond the tradition …

9 months ago

How do HBCU endowments impact the student experience?

I’ve been reading up on HBCU endowments and noticed some schools have way less than others. Does a lower endowment affect the quality of education and student life at HBCUs?

9 months ago
Displaying questions 108661-108680 of 119224 total
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.