CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hi guys, currently a junior and thinking about my career interests. I'm kind of into the idea of engineering and noticed there are welding classes at my school. Do you think these would be valuable fo …

So I've been mapping out my senior year schedule and I'm a tad anxious. Could someone please break down how many core classes (like English, math, science) colleges expect us to have completed by the …

Hey everyone! As a high school junior starting to think about colleges, I'm curious how important research experience is for admissions, especially at research-heavy schools like UNC Chapel Hill. Any …

Hey everyone, I’ve heard a lot about HBCUs recently and I'm genuinely curious about the unique benefits they offer. Can anyone who’s attended or is familiar with HBCUs share their experience or knowle …

Hey guys, I'm a bit anxious about the importance of the Common App personal essay in the admissions process. Does it really make or break your application? How much time should I be dedicating to perf …

It’s getting close to application season and I’m deciding between using the Common App and the Coalition application. What are the main differences, and does it matter which one I use, assuming all my …

So, I’m working on my Common App and staring at the Honors section. I'm a little confused about what qualifies as an 'honor.' Would making the honor roll be enough, and do I include things like being …

As someone aiming for medical school, I'm super impressed by Emory's reputation for strong pre-med advising and opportunities. I figure it’s smart to have back-up options though. What are some other c …

So, I’ve heard a lot about HBCUs being important centers for African American education and culture, but what's the diversity like now? To be more specific, does anyone know what percentage of HBCU st …

Hello friends! I'm currently self-studying Japanese and was wondering if doing an online course for school credit is seen as good on college apps, or should I stick to my high school's offerings?

Feeling a bit anxious because I haven’t taken Spanish and I’m not sure if it’s a must-have for my college app. Are colleges expecting to see Spanish on my transcript, or is any language fine?

I’m a junior interested in majoring in computer science. What kind of computer science courses should I be looking at in high school if I want to prepare myself for a CS degree in college?

I've got a bunch of hobbies that I'm really passionate about, like digital art and writing. Should I include these on my college applications, and if so, how can I frame them to highlight my skills an …

Okay, so here's the deal: because of scheduling conflicts, I'm considering taking Algebra 2 online. Is it generally seen as credible by admissions officers if I take it through an accredited program? …

Stressed junior here! I want to take an AP course or two this summer to get ahead. Any tips on which AP courses are the best to take during the summer, and where I can find reputable programs that col …

UMass Amherst is high on my college list, and I want to take some CLEP exams. Does anyone know if UMass Amherst accepts CLEP exams for college credit? If so, which ones are most commonly accepted?

I've heard that the PSAT can qualify you for scholarships, which sounds pretty cool. Can anyone share their experiences or knowledge on how scoring well on the PSAT might lead to scholarship opportuni …

Hey everyone, I've seen that some colleges require freshmen to live on campus for their first year. What are the main reasons behind this policy? Also, are there any advantages or disadvantages to thi …

Hey everyone, I'm looking into ways to earn college credit before I even get there and stumbled upon CLEP exams. Does anyone know how Arizona State University handles CLEP credits? Are they generally …

Hey folks! I'm in the prep stage for the CLEP Macroeconomics exam and a bit unsure on how to start. Does anyone have any good study tips or resources that would help me nail this exam? Also, if you've …