CollegeVine Expert FAQ

I attend a high school known for its small class sizes and personalized attention. Will college admissions officers take this into account, or is it more about what I've done within those classes? Jus …

Writing's not my strongest suit and I'm slightly panicked about the whole personal statement ordeal. Do you guys know if every college requires a personal statement as part of the application, or are …

What are admissions officers really looking for in a Common App personal statement? I want to share my story but actually make it interesting. Suggestions on structure or themes?

Hi friends, so I have the option to take a leadership class at my high school next year and I'm wondering – does participating in a class like this make an impact on college apps? Or should I focus on …

A little lost here, but I've read something about a FERPA waiver in the Common App. Where exactly can I find it, and can someone explain like I'm five what I'm supposed to do with it?

I've observed that a lot of schools are choosing Chromebooks over other tech options. Why do schools prefer Chromebooks, and does getting familiar with them give any advantage for college-related work …

So, I'm planning my courses for next year, and I'm curious, for those aiming at STEM majors, what is considered the highest high school science class that really makes a college application stand out? …

I’m a junior right now and I’ve heard about CLEP exams as a way to get college credit. What are the real benefits of taking CLEP exams before going to college? Will it save me a lot of time and money, …

Hey everyone, I'm a little bit stressed about making sure everything is in order for my applications. I'm taking some dual enrollment courses and I'm not quite sure how to add them to the Common App. …

Kinda worried about submitting my Common App essay. Does anyone know the specifics of how it should be formatted? Like, are there any margin, font size, or spacing requirements we have to follow or is …

Finals are just around the corner, and I’m feeling the pressure. How do you guys study for finals in high school? Any specific techniques or tips that have worked for you?

Hey guys, I'm looking at the CLEP exam for Spanish to get some college credits before even starting college. Does anyone have recommendations for good study resources or practice questions that really …

I've heard a lot about how some colleges are really into a particular sport, and I can't help but wonder, does this really shape the campus culture? For schools known for, say a particular team or spo …

Hey guys, I'm a bit stressed about next year's schedule. I really want to get into AP classes to boost my college app but my school has prerequisites. Anyone have tips on how to convince the counselor …

So I've heard about dual enrollment classes being an option in high school and that they have some college credit attached? Can anyone walk me through this - like what are the benefits, and how can ta …

Calling all Huskies! I'm putting together my college list and Northeastern's caught my eye, but I want to go beyond just the stats and rankings. Does anyone know some fun facts or cool traditions at N …

Getting pretty stressed over here. I'm trying to fill out my college apps, and they're asking for my final high school GPA. Is there a standard way to calculate it, or does it vary by school? I want t …

I've heard different things about applying to Harvard – some say it's through the Common App, others mention a separate application portal. Can someone clarify this for me? I'm trying to plan my appli …

A bit stressed here because I just got my first 'C' in a class, and I'm worried about how this will affect my GPA. I'm aiming for colleges with competitive admissions, and I need to know if this slip- …

Hey everyone! I'm in the dark about Stanford's likely letter process for the 2023 cycle. Can someone explain what they signify and, if you've received one, when you got it? Also, does Stanford send th …