CollegeVine Expert FAQ

I'm super into tech and my school has a robotics class, which sounds amazing. But I'm a bit stressed about filling my schedule. Does taking a class like this help with getting into engineering program …

Quick question -- when I pay the enrollment deposit through the Common App, does this mean I’m 100% committed to that college, or can I change my mind if another acceptance comes through? I'm just try …

Does anyone think it's necessary to fill out all 10 activity slots on the Common App? I have a few solid extracurriculars I'm passionate about but don't want to add fluff just to hit the number. Will …

I'm currently an 8th grader gearing up for high school and the guidance counselor has suggested I could take an all honors class load. Is it common for freshmen to do this and does it pay off in the l …

I've heard UChicago is quite the academic powerhouse, but could you guys share some insights into which academic departments or majors the University of Chicago is especially well-known for?

I want to knock out some gen-ed requirements and heard Intro to Sociology CLEP could be a way to go. Has anyone here taken it and can share their experience? How hard is it and what should I be sure t …

I'm a junior thinking about joining the National Honor Society (NHS) at my school. Could anyone share what kind of tangible benefits come with being a part of NHS? I've heard about scholarship opportu …

I'm in the midst of college planning and researching what different schools excel in. Can anybody tell me what Indiana University is particularly known for? Do they have standout programs or a reputat …

Hi peeps. I've found some free online independent study courses that I can take outside of my high school curriculum. Would colleges consider these legit? Would they count them as rigorous or nah?

Yo, I'm diving into CLEP exams to cut down on college costs by earning credit beforehand. But I'm a bit confused how this might affect my financial aid package. Does anyone know if scoring well enough …

Hey folks, I'm mapping out my remaining science courses before I graduate. Does anyone know if there are certain science courses that are absolutely required or highly recommended to complete before h …

Hi friends, quick question because I've heard mixed things: What actually happens if you skip classes in high school? I’m not planning on doing it, but I'm curious about how it affects stuff like tran …

I’m really stressed out. I just got a grade back and it’s not looking good—I might fail this class. What happens if I fail a class in high school? How will this impact my transcript and my college app …

Hey everyone! I'm a freshman and got invited to join National Junior Honor Society. I'm not sure how big of a deal it is. Could someone explain how NJHS might impact my high school experience and futu …

I've been finalizing my list of tasks for college apps and stumbled upon the 'optional report' in the Common App. Is it truly optional, or is it one of those 'optional but not really' parts of the app …

Hey guys, I've been putting together my college list and it’s getting pretty long. I heard somewhere that there might be a cap on the number of schools you can apply to through the Common App. Is it t …

Hi all, I’m currently filling out the honors section on the Common App and I'm unsure about which ones I should include. Should I prioritize academic awards or could I also mention athletic accolades …

Hey everyone! So, I'm planning to self-study German and found an online course that could give me high school credit. Do universities see online language classes differently than those at a traditiona …

Junior here wondering what Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes I should consider. Are there specific CTE classes that colleges find impressive or particularly valuable, or do they just view a …

Looking at some summer courses offered by UT for high schoolers. Will these be looked upon favorably by admissions officers, or are they seen as just another class?