CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


Grading curve on AP exams?

Can someone clarify how AP exams are graded? I’ve heard terms thrown around like 'graded on a curve'—what does that actually mean for us? Do they adjust the scores based on how everyone does, so it's …

10 months ago

Prospective Christian Colleges like Taylor University?

Hi guys, my faith is important to me and Taylor University seems like a good fit with its Christian background. But I’m just wondering, what are some other colleges out there with a strong Christian f …

10 months ago

Making My College Essay Pop: Any Unique Tips?

I want to write a college essay that really jumps out to the committee. Anyone have strategies or tips on how to make an essay stand out and not just be another cookie-cutter submission?

10 months ago

What's the target word count for a strong college essay?

Hey guys! I've heard various numbers thrown around for the 'perfect' length of a college essay. I'm aiming to write something meaningful but concise. What’s the sweet spot for word count that allows y …

10 months ago

Navigating social events - what do I wear to homecoming in my freshman year?

So, homecoming is coming up and as a freshman, I'm kind of unsure about what the usual attire is. I want to make a good impression but also don’t want to overdo it. Any tips from upperclassmen on what …

10 months ago

What are some alternatives to MIT for a tech-focused applicant?

MIT is my dream school because of its strong tech and entrepreneurial culture, but I know it's a reach for almost everyone. What are some other schools with a similar focus on innovation and technolog …

10 months ago

Could missing an AP exam be a huge problem?

So, I've got AP exams coming up, and, not gonna lie, I'm a little bit paranoid about oversleeping or an emergency popping up. In the worst-case scenario that I miss the exam, how screwed am I? Can I r …

10 months ago

Are AP exams actually a necessity for college admissions?

Hey guys! I've been weighing the pros and cons of taking AP exams. Are they really necessary for college admissions, or can you get into a good school without them? I'm involved in other extracurricul …

10 months ago

What are some similarities between high school and college life?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and starting to think more about the transition from high school to college. Can anyone share their experiences or insights on how college might be similar to high school? C …

10 months ago

Advice for writing at a college level?

I've got some essays for my college applications coming up and honestly, I'm not sure if my writing is up to par. What makes a college-level essay different from high school, and how can I level up my …

10 months ago

Common App essay length - what's the sweet spot?

So, the Common App says the essay should be between 250-650 words. That’s a pretty big range, and I'm stressing about hitting the right length. Any advice on whether it's better to stick to the shorte …

10 months ago

Schools with strong fashion and design programs like FIT?

Fashion Institute of Technology is on my list because of its stellar reputation in fashion and design. I’m trying to widen my search though. What are some other colleges that have top-notch programs i …

10 months ago

Can I unenroll from an AP exam after registering?

Hey everyone, I jumped the gun and signed up for a bunch of AP exams, but now I'm rethinking my choices. What's the process to unenroll from an AP exam? Do you get a refund or is it too late? Anyone e …

10 months ago

How is the AP Calc AB exam formatted?

Real talk: I'm preparing for the AP Calc AB exam and could use a breakdown of the structure. What type of questions should I expect and how many of each?

10 months ago

Who Actually Grades Our AP Exams?

So I've been cramming for APs and can't help but get curious – who are the people grading our AP exams? Are they teachers, college profs, or some trained AP grading gurus? It's got me a bit anxious th …

10 months ago

Timeline for drafting college essays?

Okay, so juniors, when are you planning to start writing your essays? How long are y'all giving yourselves to draft, revise, and finalize everything? Just trying to figure out if I'm behind schedule h …

10 months ago

Can you apply Early Decision to multiple colleges?

I'm a little confused with the whole Early Decision thing. Are you restricted to apply Early Decision to only one school? What's stopping someone from applying ED to multiple places?

10 months ago

Self-reflection in college essays - how much is too much?

I'm gearing up to write an essay about myself for my college apps and I'm worried about oversharing. How do I balance talking about my accomplishments without coming off as bragging, and being self-re …

10 months ago

AP Lang Exam: What Should I Be Practicing Most?

Essays, essays, essays…I know they're crucial for the AP Lang exam, but what types of prompts should I be practicing with the most? Any particular rhetorical devices or writing styles that are favored …

10 months ago

How does UCSB compare to other universities in terms of environment and culture?

Yo! I've been vibing with the idea of going to UCSB, but I'm wondering what other colleges out there have a similar chill and collaborative environment? Anyone got a list or experiences with other sch …

10 months ago
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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.