CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Yo guys! USC is at the top of my dream schools and I'm trying to streamline my admissions process as much as possible. Can anyone here confirm if USC accepts the Common Application, or is there a sepa …

I've always imagined college as this huge community of people, and that's the kind of environment I want. What are some of the largest HBCUs out there, in terms of student population and campus size?

Has anyone been to an HBCU 'Battle of the Bands'? I’m super curious about the culture and what those events are like. Do they help you to connect more with the school's community and spirit? Also, are …

Okay, so I'm sweating over here trying to figure out what score I should be aiming for on the Biology CLEP exam. Does anyone know what’s considered a pass, or what score is good enough to get me colle …

Hey guys! I'm a bit stressed trying to figure out my college list. I've heard the term 'DMV area' thrown around and that it has a rich history of HBCUs. Can anyone tell me which HBCUs are located ther …

Hey folks! So I’m a high school junior and also a pretty dedicated football player. I've seen some HBCU football camps advertised and wondered if attending one could help my college application stand …

I'm looking into law programs at HBCUs for my undergrad pre-law track or maybe even for law school. Anyone know which HBCUs offer law programs or where I might find a comprehensive list?

Hey y'all, I'm starting to fill out my Common App and I've reached the activities section. How detailed should I be in describing my extracurriculars? Should I focus on leadership positions, the numbe …

Hey guys, so I'm planning to apply ED to one of my dream schools and I came across this 'ED Signature' section on the Common App. Could anyone demystify what exactly this is and whether it's mandatory …

Hey, I'm a high school junior really into STEM, and engineering is at the top of my list for majors. I'm drawn to the community and history of HBCUs, and I'm wondering if their engineering programs ar …

Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a pickle here. I've just submitted my application through the Common App to my early choice college, but I think there's more I could add to my activities section for the …

Hello everyone! I've been trying to figure out where I stand with a 3.1 GPA. I know it's not the highest, but I've been involved in a lot of extracurriculars. Does anyone have insight on how this GPA …

So I keep hearing from friends and on forums about Duke likely letters. Are these for real, and what stats or ECs do you think you need to get one? Absolutely buzzing at the idea of getting one but do …

Calling all tech gurus! I'm thinking of taking the CLEP Information Systems exam to get ahead before college. Anyone out there who has taken it and can offer some wisdom on how to study for it? What t …

Hey guys, I've been hearing a lot about colleges designated as HBCUs and PWIs. Can someone explain in simple terms what each stands for and the main differences between the two? I'm trying to figure o …

Hey folks, I've got a question that might be obvious to some but I'm just trying to wrap my head around it. With HBCUs being historically Black colleges and universities, I was wondering if they're ex …

Quick question for you knowledgeable folks – how do I go about sending my SAT superscore through the Common App? Do all colleges accept superscores, or should I check with each institution?

Hey y'all, I've noticed that there's an 'additional information' section on the Common App. I'm not sure what would be relevant to put here. Should I explain a low grade, or would it be more useful to …

Hey friends, my high school is offering an ethnic studies course next semester and I’m thinking about signing up. Can someone explain exactly what ethnic studies covers and if it's looked upon favorab …

Just out of curiosity, with everything going on and a lot of tests moving online, is it possible to take a CLEP exam from the comfort of my own room? If anyone’s done it, what was the process like?