CollegeVine Expert FAQ

So I've seen a lot of people talk about their GPA and I'm kind of lost on how to calculate mine. What is the process to figure out my high school GPA? Do different schools have different methods or is …

Hey peeps, I'm totally stressing about my course load next year. What AP classes did you take that you think helped strengthen your college application the most? I want to make sure I'm challenging my …

Okay y’all, I plan to tackle a couple of CLEP exams to lighten my future college course load. I've got a pile of books to go through, but I’m looking for official practice CLEP exams to get a real fee …

This might be a subjective question, but what are generally considered the 'easiest' AP classes? I want to strike a balance between challenging myself and not overloading my schedule as I plan for jun …

Hi everyone! I'm drafting my college applications and was wondering if the University of Washington values the Common App essay? Do they review it with as much care as other elements of the applicatio …

So I was looking through my course options for next year and saw that my school offers a finance class. Would taking a class like this be helpful if I'm thinking of majoring in business in college, or …

Hey everyone, I'm thinking about the extracurriculars that might align well with my class activities. Are there clubs or competitions that can boost the experience I'm gaining in classes, especially f …

I've just finished my Common App essay draft and it's over the word limit by like 20 words. Do you guys think that's a huge issue, or is there a bit of a grace period with the limit? How strict are th …

Hi all, I'm drawn to the Jesuit values at Loyola Maryland and their commitment to service and ethics. What are some other colleges out there with a strong Jesuit identity that also have solid business …

Hey everyone! I’m a sophomore planning my schedule for junior year. I want to major in engineering, so I'm wondering which math classes are seen as most impressive by colleges? Should I be aiming for …

Okay, so here's the deal—I'm planning to take a couple of CLEP exams, but I'm not sure where they're administered. I've heard it's not as straightforward as the SAT locations. Does anyone have any exp …

Is it true that Princeton sends out likely letters, or is that just a rumor? If they're real, what does it take to get your hands on one of those precious envelopes (or emails, I guess)?

With junior year challenges hitting me like a truck, I'm looking for some new study techniques that could help me stay on top of my game. Does anyone have personal study tips or habits that have helpe …

Hey, so I attend a private school and I've heard some people say colleges look at our GPAs differently than those from public schools because of grade inflation or just different standards. Is this tr …

Hey everyone! I’m at the part of the Common App where I need to get a 'Teacher Evaluation.' Could somebody explain what it’s supposed to include? Is it the same thing as a letter of recommendation, or …

Calling all seniors or knowledgeable juniors, I need advice! Trying to draft my schedule for next year. What Honors classes are considered most beneficial for someone planning to apply to top colleges …

Hey fellow stress-mates, I noticed in my Common App portal it says 'downloaded by college' next to my apps. Is that a good sign, or does it just mean they have my application on file and nothing more? …

I’m trying to plan out my study schedule and decide which CLEP exams to take. Does anyone have a list of all the CLEP exam subjects or know where I can find one?

Hey friends, I’ve been basically living on this forum recently, and I’ve seen a lot of talk about 'likely letters' from Ivies. Is this a common practice across all Ivy League schools, and what kind of …

Hey everyone, I've been thinking about taking some CLEP exams to potentially get college credit and ease my course load in the future. But I'm curious, how do colleges view CLEP exams in the admission …