CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Alright, so I'm planning my CLEP exams and I’m torn between Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. For those who have taken either (or both), which one would you say is more manageable to study for and ha …

I hear a lot about AP and IB classes, but recently someone mentioned 'AB classes' during a college prep meeting. Can someone explain what these are? Are they like APs, and do colleges look at them fav …

I’ve heard that some universities really like the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Could anyone shed some light on this? How much do admissions officers value an EPQ, and what aspects of it do th …

I've seen some free online financial literacy courses and I'm considering taking one to prepare for adulting. Would you say it's beneficial and does it look good for college apps?

Hey everyone! I've been hearing a lot about HBCUs and their rich histories. Could someone shed light on what truly defines an HBCU, and how many are there in the US? Also, are any of them black-owned, …

Hey friends, I'm in the process of narrowing down my college choices and I'm particularly interested in HBCUs. I've heard a lot about the oldest HBCU—does anyone know what sets it apart from other HBC …

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? …