Skip to main content

CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Explore our collection of admissions FAQs. Each answer is expert-approved by our team to help you reach your goals.


Are honors courses in high school viewed favorably by colleges if my school doesn't offer many APs?

Incoming junior here. My high school doesn't offer a ton of AP courses, so I've been taking mostly honors classes. Will colleges consider this a strong curriculum given what's available at my school o …

a year ago

Best online courses for high school to boost college apps?

Hey everyone, I'm trying to plan out my summer and I've been thinking about taking online courses to strengthen my college application. What are some reputable online courses for high school students …

a year ago

How Hard is it to Pass CLEP Exams?

So, I'm kind of good at exams but not overly confident. I've been thinking about taking a couple of CLEP exams to get ahead, but I'm a little nervous about the difficulty. Does anyone know the general …

a year ago

How can I convey a passion in a college essay for a major like computer science?

Ok so I’m thinking of writing about my love for computer science in my college essay. How should I go about expressing my passion for CS to make my application pop?

a year ago

High schools are specialized in certain areas of study?

Hey everyone, I've been hearing about magnet and specialized high schools that focus on specific subjects like STEM or the arts. Can someone explain how attending a specialized high school might affec …

a year ago

How do alternative educational approaches like Montessori compare to traditional high school experiences?

I've grown up in traditional public schools all my life and I'm hearing a lot about alternative schools like Montessori. How do these compare in terms of preparing for college? Do colleges view applic …

a year ago

PSAT testing locations?

I'm kind of stressing because I want to take the PSAT, but I have no clue where to do it. How do I find a nearby testing center? Do I just go to any high school or is there a specific place I need to …

a year ago

How do I explain 'Education Progression' on the Common App?

I was filling out my Common App and got stumped on the 'Education Progression' part. Can someone explain how detailed this has to be? Like, if I had any interruptions or switches in my education path, …

a year ago

What GPA do I need for the honor roll in high school?

Hey everyone! Working towards making the honor roll this year and I'm trying to set a target. What GPA do I need to aim for to get on the honor roll at most high schools?

a year ago

How do medical schools view a low GPA if you have a high MCAT score?

Hey everyone, I've heard mixed things about how med schools weigh your GPA and MCAT scores. I know my GPA isn’t stellar, but I’ve been scoring pretty well on practice MCATs. Can a high MCAT score make …

a year ago

What’s seen as a competitive cumulative GPA for college admissions?

Hi everyone, with application season looming, I'm feeling a bit unsure about my cumulative GPA and how it stacks up. What would be considered a 'competitive' cumulative GPA when applying to colleges, …

a year ago

Filling Out Common App: How Much Time Should I Block Off?

Hey everyone, I’m trying to plan out my college application schedule as a junior, and I’m getting a bit anxious about the Common App. How long does it usually take to fill out all the sections in the …

a year ago

Why should I take the PSAT?

Hey guys, I've been going back and forth on whether or not to take the PSAT. Some of my friends are saying it's essential, but I'm not totally convinced. Can someone explain the real benefits of takin …

a year ago

Describing extracurriculars on Common App—What's the secret sauce?

Hello fellow juniors and survivors of the admission process! I'm in the midst of listing my extracurriculars on the Common App and I keep second-guessing myself. Should I just list the roles and respo …

a year ago

Any advice for someone in Honors classes struggling to keep up?

Hey guys, I'm in a couple of Honors classes this year and it's a lot tougher than I thought. How do you manage the workload and still have time for clubs/sports?

a year ago

Taking college courses as a high school student?

Hey everyone, just curious how one goes about taking college courses while still in high school. Is there a particular process I should follow, or specific programs I need to look out for? Really eage …

a year ago

Do any colleges still require you to submit all SAT scores?

Stressing out a bit here... Do some colleges want to see every SAT score I've ever gotten? How do I find out which ones, so I can figure out if I should retake it or not?

a year ago

What's the value of practical classes like construction in high school for college apps?

Been thinking of taking a construction class as an elective next year. I'm interested, but I'm also wondering if doing hands-on projects would look good on my college applications? It's not really rel …

a year ago

Are NHS and Technical Honor Societies Valuable?

How valuable are honors societies like the National Honor Society or the National Technical Honor Society in college apps? Are they worth the time and effort or just 'resume fillers'? Trying to decide …

a year ago

How important are social science classes for college admissions?

Hey everyone, as I'm planning out my junior year schedule, I'm curious about the role of social science classes. How significant are they in the college admissions process, especially if I'm intereste …

a year ago
Displaying questions 170581-170600 of 178099 total
About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.