CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


Which AP exams are generally considered the hardest? Looking for an AP exam difficulty ranking.

I’m trying to plan out which AP courses to take next year, and I’ve heard some are super tough while others are more manageable. Could someone share their experiences or direct me to an AP exam diffic …

11 months ago

Cracking the SAT Math: How Hard Is It Really?

For those who've taken the SAT already, how tough is the math section? I'm hearing mixed opinions and I could use some honest insights - trying not to let my nerves get the better of me!

11 months ago

Pulling up my GPA junior year? Realistic strategies?

Hey y'all! So I didn't take things too seriously freshman and sophomore year, and now I'm a junior looking at a less-than-stellar GPA. What are some realistic ways to give it a boost before applicatio …

11 months ago

What degrees are good for introverts?

I'm pretty introverted and am wondering which degrees might suit me best. Has any introvert here found a major or career path that works really well for them? Hoping to get some insights!

11 months ago

How personal should my college app essay be?

So, as I'm brainstorming for college app essays, I'm kinda at a crossroads. How much of my personal life and feelings should I actually dive into? I want it to be authentic, but is there a line betwee …

11 months ago

Must recommendation letters be submitted exactly by the application deadline?

Quick question as I line up my recs: do recommendation letters have to be in by the college app deadline, or is there a grace period for them?

11 months ago

Should I mention my community organization leadership on Common App?

Fellow applicants, I'm filling out my Common App and I've been really involved in a local community-based organization. Should I prioritize this in my activities section? How can I show colleges the i …

11 months ago

What's the deal with Division 3 football colleges in terms of recruitment?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior and I've been playing football for my high school team. I was wondering, how does the recruitment process work for division 3 football colleges? Are there any academic requi …

11 months ago

How do colleges view the Coalition App compared to the Common App?

This might be a silly question but is there a difference in how colleges view the Coalition App versus the Common App? Like, do they prefer one over the other, or is it pretty much the same thing to t …

11 months ago

What are effective college essay titles?

Okay, so I'm writing my essays for colleges and struggling with titles. Can someone give examples of impactful essay titles or tips on what makes a title stand out to admissions officers?

11 months ago

In need of some killer persuasive speech topics!

So for my English class, I need to do a persuasive speech and I want it to be compelling and original. Does anyone have ideas for powerful topics that also might impress my teacher and potentially col …

11 months ago

Explaining Cumulative Grade Point Average

Hey guys, I just want to make sure I've got this right. When colleges ask for my 'cumulative grade point average', they're asking for the overall average of all my grades from freshman to junior year, …

11 months ago

What's the Columbia Pre-College acceptance rate?

Hey! I'm planning to apply for the Columbia Pre-College program next summer and was wondering if anyone knows how competitive it is. How hard is it to get into Columbia's Pre-College program? Any stat …

11 months ago

Which colleges are known for accepting students with a low GPA?

Hey friends, my GPA isn't stellar, but I've been putting in work in other areas. Do you know colleges that consider low GPA applicants more holistically? Any success stories out there?

11 months ago

What are some notable creative writing competitions for high school students?

Looking to challenge myself and also spice up my college apps with some accomplishments in creative writing. Any recommendations for competitions that high school students can enter?

11 months ago

What's the SAT Verbal stuff all about?

Hey friends! Just started SAT prep and the Verbal section is kinda vague to me. Could someone who’s been through it share what exactly I need to prep for?

11 months ago

SAT Math Struggles: Tackling the Most Difficult Problems

Guys, I just can't seem to wrap my head around the most difficult math problems on the SAT. How do you prepare for these? I'm worried they're going to drag my score down.

11 months ago

How does the Common Core curriculum influence college readiness?

So, I’m trying to figure out how the Common Core standards in my school are preparing me for college. Do colleges see students from Common Core states differently, and does it actually affect my colle …

11 months ago

Character aspect for National Honor Society essay

Hey guys, quick Q: I'm drafting my essay for the National Honor Society application and I want to really nail the character part. Any tips on what they’re looking for or examples of how you’ve showcas …

11 months ago

Should I report my class rank as weighted or unweighted for colleges?

Kind of stressed here — I've got the option to report my class rank as either weighted or unweighted, and I'm lost. Which is more beneficial when it comes to college admissions? Do colleges have a pre …

11 months ago
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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.