CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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 …

I've been checking out UPenn and I'm really into the balance of strong academics and social scene they've got. Anybody know other colleges that have a similar atmosphere? I want to make sure I apply t …

So, I’ve got a bunch of 'Why us?' essays, and honestly, they're driving me a bit nuts. I want to show genuine interest but I'm afraid my essay will sound like everyone else’s. How do you guys make you …

Hey everyone, I'm starting to research colleges and I really like the sound of Lehigh University for its campus culture and engineering programs. Does anyone know other colleges that offer a similar e …

Hey everyone, I'm definitely overthinking this, but I just scored a 1590 on my SAT and I'm not sure if I should take it again to get that perfect 1600. It's just one question off, but the thought of l …

Stats gurus, I'm in need of your help. The AP Stats exam is looming over me and I want to score a 5. Could anyone suggest the most effective study strategies or resources that cover the key concepts? …

Hey folks, quick question - can you write your responses in cursive on AP exams? I'm way faster with cursive than printing, but I'm not sure if the graders will have any issue with it. Are there any g …

For the musically talented who've tackled the AP Music Theory exam, can you breakdown what’s on it? As in, how theory-intense is it? Do I need to be Mozart, or is there hope for an average band geek? …

Hey everyone, could someone clear up when the AP English Literature exam is? I've got a bunch of APs this year and with everything else going on, my planner is a total mess. I really need to lock in m …

I’ve been checking out Excelsior for their vocational and technical-oriented programs. Anyone know of other colleges that are similar in the way that they integrate career-specific training into their …

Hey guys! So, how should I approach writing a 'why this college' essay? I have genuine reasons but I'm scared of sounding unoriginal or like I'm just telling colleges what I think they want to hear. A …

I'm feeling the energy of Clemson but want to keep my options open. For schools that have a similar campus culture to Clemson's, what should I expect during the admissions process? Do they value leade …

Lit lovers and survivors of AP Lit, I need your wisdom. How do you tackle the literary analysis and manage all the reading to score a 5 on the exam? Tips and tricks are much appreciated!

So I've been cramming like crazy for this AP exam and it's the night before. Do you guys have any tips on what I should do to relax or make sure I’m prepped for tomorrow? Should I skim over my notes o …

So I've recently taken the PSAT and I heard that you can check scores online. How do I go about doing that? Can I just log in somewhere, or do I need to create an account? If someone has already been …

Can anyone provide insight into how AP exams are structured? I'm trying to set up a study plan and I need to know if I should be focusing more on multiple-choice strategies or if I have to buckle down …