CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


Does a college's well-known sport affect the student life significantly?

I've heard a lot about how some colleges are really into a particular sport, and I can't help but wonder, does this really shape the campus culture? For schools known for, say a particular team or spo …

11 months ago

Getting into AP Classes?

Hey guys, I'm a bit stressed about next year's schedule. I really want to get into AP classes to boost my college app but my school has prerequisites. Anyone have tips on how to convince the counselor …

11 months ago

Can someone break down how dual enrollment works in high school?

So I've heard about dual enrollment classes being an option in high school and that they have some college credit attached? Can anyone walk me through this - like what are the benefits, and how can ta …

11 months ago

What quirky traditions or fun facts about Northeastern University should I know?

Calling all Huskies! I'm putting together my college list and Northeastern's caught my eye, but I want to go beyond just the stats and rankings. Does anyone know some fun facts or cool traditions at N …

11 months ago

How can I calculate my final GPA for high school accurately?

Getting pretty stressed over here. I'm trying to fill out my college apps, and they're asking for my final high school GPA. Is there a standard way to calculate it, or does it vary by school? I want t …

11 months ago

Does Harvard Consider Applicants Through the Common App?

I've heard different things about applying to Harvard – some say it's through the Common App, others mention a separate application portal. Can someone clarify this for me? I'm trying to plan my appli …

11 months ago

Can a single 'C' significantly impact my high school GPA?

A bit stressed here because I just got my first 'C' in a class, and I'm worried about how this will affect my GPA. I'm aiming for colleges with competitive admissions, and I need to know if this slip- …

11 months ago

How do Stanford likely letters work?

Hey everyone! I'm in the dark about Stanford's likely letter process for the 2023 cycle. Can someone explain what they signify and, if you've received one, when you got it? Also, does Stanford send th …

11 months ago

What major offerings define Butler University's academic reputation?

I'm digging into various colleges and Butler University caught my eye. I've heard bits and pieces about their programs, but can anyone share insights on what academic strengths or specific majors Butl …

11 months ago

PSAT and National Merit Scholarship Timing

Hey guys, just wondering if anybody knows exactly when one should take the PSAT if aiming for the National Merit Scholarship. Is it junior year, or should we be doing something sophomore year too?

11 months ago

What's the impact of failing a CLEP exam on my college apps?

Hey folks, I'm a bit worried here. I'm considering taking a CLEP exam to get some college credits out of the way. My question is, if I don't do well and fail, will colleges see this? Also, how does fa …

11 months ago

How do colleges view UC-approved honors classes?

So, I was checking out my class options and saw some that were labeled as 'UC-approved honors'. I'm not in California, but I was wondering, do these classes have extra weight or look better on my appl …

11 months ago

Is maxing out the word count with all 650 words in my college essay advisable?

I hear a lot about 'less is more,' but when it comes to the college essay, I'm not sure. Is it better to use up all 650 words to fully express my story, or should I aim for brevity and stick to a shor …

11 months ago

Where do I find the Awards section in the Common App?

I've got some state-level athletic awards I want to include in my app but can't seem to find the Awards section on the Common App. Can someone tell me where to input this info? Or is it supposed to go …

11 months ago

Should I take the engineering class at my high school if I want to major in engineering?

Junior here trying to plan out my senior year. My high school offers an engineering class and I'm thinking of majoring in engineering. Is it worth taking this class, or should I focus on more traditio …

11 months ago

How should I reply to a college interview invitation email?

Hey everyone, just got an interview email from one of my top schools and I'm kind of freaking out. Not really sure how to strike the right tone in my response. Any tips or templates you guys could rec …

11 months ago

When filling out financial aid info on Common App, is indicating the need for aid harmful?

Okay, let's talk money. I know we have to fill out whether we're seeking need-based financial aid on the Common App. I'm in need, but I’m worried that saying 'yes' might affect my chances of admission …

11 months ago

What’s the real deal with high school class levels, and how do they affect college admissions?

Okay, so my school offers different class levels (regular, honors, AP/IB). How much does this actually matter in college apps? I'm trying to balance my GPA with a rigorous schedule that doesn’t comple …

11 months ago

Best High School Classes for Future Law Students?

Okay, so I'm seriously considering a career in law and I want to know what classes I should take during the rest of my high school years to really prepare for undergrad pre-law tracks. Any suggestions …

11 months ago

Is the SAT still a widespread requirement for college admissions?

With all these changes to test-optional policies, I'm wondering—is the SAT still a must for a majority of colleges, or has the landscape really changed? How should I take these changes into account wh …

11 months ago
Displaying questions 141241-141260 of 149150 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.