CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hello peers! I just got a 3 on one of my AP exams and I'm a bit worried. How do colleges view a 3 on an AP exam? Should I report it or not? Will it hurt my chances especially if I'm aiming for top-tie …

Feeling a bit confused here. I landed a 1580 on my SAT, which I know is really high, but is it worth it to try for a perfect 1600? Could those extra 20 points make any difference at super selective sc …

So, AP season is approaching and I've been told that some AP exams are 'curved.' How does this affect the way our answers are scored, and does this make the exam easier or tougher on us?

Hey guys, junior here currently in the IB program and I'm kinda stressing. For anyone who’s been through both IB and college, how similar is the difficulty level of IB courses compared to actual colle …

Artistic minds, I need your guidance! I’m considering the AP Art exam and gotta know, what's the process like? I hear there’s no traditional 'test' but rather a portfolio submission. What do they look …

I've signed up for AP Environmental Science next year and I'm hearing mixed things. Some say it's a breeze, others that it's deceptively tough. For those who've taken it, how did you find the workload …

Okay, so I've got a few AP exams coming up and I'm not sure about the best way to manage my time during the test. They seem so long! How do you guys make sure you complete everything without rushing a …

Hey guys, I'm starting to feel the clock ticking and I'm wondering when I should really start focusing on my college essay. Everyone says 'the earlier, the better,' but I just finished junior year and …

So, I just found out I've been deferred 😓 I thought my application was strong, but now I'm second-guessing everything, especially my SAT score, which is decent but not top of the range. Do you guys th …

As I plan out my final high school spring, I'm wondering when the AP exams are scheduled in May. Do they start early in the month, or are they more towards the end? I’m trying to balance exam prep wit …

I'm totally stressed about college admissions and the importance of GPA, especially for schools like the University of Washington (UW). Can someone shed some light on how UW considers GPA during their …

Hey everyone, I’ve decided to take on AP Euro this year, and it’s kind of daunting. Anyone willing to share how they're preparing? Specifically, how to study for the AP European History exam effective …

Hey, I'm juggling a lot of extracurriculars and wondering how hefty the AP Chemistry exam is. Does anyone who's taken it remember how many questions there were, plus any tips for handling the workload …

Hey friends, I'm kind of in the dark about when colleges release their supplemental essay prompts. Does anyone know the general time frame when these come out? I want to make sure I have enough time t …

So, I'm working on my supplements and I'm stuck on the 'Why This College' prompts. Can anyone share some insights on how to make these essays genuine and specific? How much research into the school sh …

Just decided to self-study for an AP exam because I'm really interested in the subject and it's not offered at my school. Does anyone have any advice on how to start and maybe some resources that help …

The time has come to face my college essay and honestly, I’m stumped. What should I be writing about? Is there a go-to sort of topic that usually works well, or should it be something super personal? …

Hey guys, I've been exploring options for studying abroad, and I'm curious about how much the college application processes differ internationally compared to the US system I'm familiar with. For exam …

Serious question time—could somebody break down for me what the AP Seminar exam involves? I've got this vibe that it's a different beast compared to the other AP exams, but what's the specific format …

Trying to write this college essay and I'm lowkey freaking out. What are the most important qualities or experiences admissions officers want to see? I have a lot I could talk about but want to make s …