CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hello folks, I'm currently an IB student but I'm interested in a couple of AP subjects. Is it possible for me to sit for those AP exams as well? Does anyone have experience with this?

Ugh, I'm a bit stressed because I think I'm cutting it close with AP exam registrations – does anyone know the absolute latest date you can sign up for AP exams without incurring late fees? Thanks in …

In a bit of a panic - I totally blanked on registering for AP exams and I'm worried it's too late. Does anyone know if there's still a chance to register, or do I have to wait until next year? If it's …

Alright, junior here, and it's time to pick classes for next year. I'm kind of stressing over which APs colleges want to see on our transcripts. Is there a 'golden standard' set of APs, or is it more …

Quick question: when is the AP Calculus AB exam taking place? I've heard a couple of different dates from friends, but I want to be sure. It's my toughest subject, and I'm planning to ramp up my study …

As I sit down to write my college admissions essay, I'm finding the blank page intimidating. What's a good way to start an admissions essay that can captivate the reader from the get-go? I’ve heard st …

Hi everyone, kinda stressed and could use some advice. My ACT score is pretty solid, but my SAT score isn’t quite there. Do you think it's worth it to retake the SAT to match my ACT score, or do colle …

Hey, looking to get a jump on summer reading before freshman year starts, and I was wondering if there are any common books that a lot of you had to read in your freshman year? Trying to get ahead a l …

Hey guys, I'm a bit stressed out about the PSAT. I'm trying to figure out how much it actually matters in 10th grade in terms of college admissions. I know juniors take it for National Merit Scholarsh …

Hey everyone! I'm deliberating whether to take the AP exams this year. I get the credit part, but with everything going on, I'm not sure if it's worth the stress and cost. Can someone give me a breakd …

I'm really into movies like 'How I Got Into College' and was wondering if participating in film club will make a significant difference on my college application? Like how do AOs view this extracurric …

I’ve heard tons of advice on what I should do to start my college essay, but what about things I should avoid? I want to grab the admissions officers’ attention but not for the wrong reasons. Any tips …

Just a little bit stressed here because I've heard mixed things about AP scoring. Do the AP exams have a curve or is the scoring based solely on the raw points you earn on the exam? How does this affe …

Hi friends! I'm taking the AP Lang exam soon and really want to do well. What study habits should I adopt? Are there any specific books or practice methods that can help me grasp the content better an …

Stressed junior here, I’m trying to figure out if there’s a way to actually see my DBQ score from my AP exam separately? Or do we just get the composite score? Would love some insight from someone who …

I'm setting up my testing schedule for the year, and I need to budget for everything. How much does it cost to take the PSAT, and are there any fee waivers available for those who might need them?

Okay, so AP World History is seriously a beast of a course 😬. People who've scored a 5, how did you structure your studying, and what resources were your go-to?

Biologists, I need some help! With the AP Bio exam coming up, what are the key areas I should focus on? What resources were essential for your studying? Did lab experience play a significant role in h …

Future economists or anyone who's tackled AP Macro, I need some pointers! Could anyone explain the main concepts the AP Macroeconomics exam covers? And how math-heavy is it really? I’m okay with graph …

Hello pals! Coming up to my senior year, and I'm sorting out where to apply. Could someone tell me what's the GPA threshold for Ball State? Like, what's the minimum I should have to be considered a se …