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CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


How to tackle the 'What inspires you?' college essay prompt?

Hey guys, I'm brainstorming for my college essays and one of the schools I'm applying to has this prompt about 'What inspires you?' I'm struggling to figure out the best way to answer this without sou …

a year ago

Average GPA among Duke University admits?

I've had my eye on Duke and I've heard it's pretty selective. Can anyone tell me what the average GPA is for students who get admitted? Do I stand a chance with a GPA that's not a 4.0?

a year ago

Is titling my college essay necessary or beneficial?

I'm in the midst of drafting my college app essays, and I'm kinda torn—do admissions officers expect a title? Would it help my essay stand out or is it just unnecessary fluff? If anyone who's gone thr …

a year ago

Is hexadecimal covered on the AP CSP Exam?

Coding wizards, I need your wisdom! I've been going through the AP Computer Science Principles material and I’m kinda stuck on hexadecimal. Is it something that's going to pop up on the AP CSP exam? N …

a year ago

How critical is GPA for getting into UW Madison?

Okay, so UW Madison is absolutely a dream school for me, but I'm sorta concerned about whether my GPA is in the right range. Are there any Badgers out there who can tell me what GPA I should aim for t …

a year ago

How lengthy is the 2023 AP Stats Exam?

I’ve been hearing from different people about varying lengths of AP exams, and it’s gotten me a tad confused. I’m signed up for the AP Stats exam this year, and I just want to know—for those in the kn …

a year ago

Optimal time to start writing the college essay—any tips?

Feeling the pressure as junior year is ending... Does anyone have advice on when’s the best time to start drafting my college essay? How early is too early, or how late is too late?

a year ago

Starting Strong: Quotes in College Essays?

I've seen a few sample essays that open with a quote and I'm wondering, how should I start my college essay with a quote? Is it a good hook, or is it too cliché? I've found some really inspiring quote …

a year ago

Is taking the AP exam necessary even if I've taken the course?

Hi friends, I'm currently weighing my options and considering not taking one of my AP exams, despite being enrolled in the corresponding class. Is the experience from the class enough for college appl …

a year ago

Can international students take AP exams?

Hey interwebs! International student here, and I'm kinda puzzled. Are international students allowed to take AP exams? If so, how does the process work for us?

a year ago

How do 'Why this college?' essays differ and what are they looking for?

Hey folks, curious junior here! What's the angle on 'Why this college?' essays? What kind of research should I be doing, and what are admissions officers really seeking in my response?

a year ago

Looking for College Essay Examples

Hey! Does anyone know where I can find some solid college essay examples? I'm trying to get a feel for what sort of narratives and writing styles are successful. I learn better by example, and it's a …

a year ago

Is it okay to reuse essays for multiple college applications?

So, I found this prompt from College A that really resonated with me and I feel like I wrote a strong essay. I just saw that College B has a pretty similar prompt. Would it be frowned upon to reuse my …

a year ago

Is it possible to score a 6 on an AP exam?

Quick question, guys, because this has been bugging me and my friends: Is scoring a 6 on an AP exam actually a thing or just a myth? Everyone knows about scores from 1 to 5, but some upperclassmen are …

a year ago

The importance of spelling on AP exams?

Guys, I’m slightly freaked out. I just realized I might’ve had some spelling errors on my AP exam essays. Does anyone know how much spelling mistakes can affect our AP scores, or are the graders more …

a year ago

Alternative locations for taking AP exams if my school doesn't offer them?

Hey peeps, I'm in a bit of a bind here because my school doesn't offer some of the AP exams I want to take. Do you know where I could take these AP exams if they're not provided at my school? Any advi …

a year ago

What determines scoring a 1 on an AP exam and how can it be avoided?

Okay, so I'm kinda stressing here because I just started prepping for my AP exams next year. I keep hearing about scoring a 1 and how it could hurt your college app. What usually leads a student to sc …

a year ago

What are some alternatives to WashU for a research-heavy undergrad experience?

I've been eyeing Washington University in St. Louis because of their strong research opportunities for undergrads and overall academic excellence. Could you drop some names of other universities where …

a year ago

How do you guys discover colleges similar to your favorites?

Alright, so I have a few colleges that I'm absolutely in love with, but I know it's a good idea to have some backups that are similar. How do you all find colleges that have the same 'feel' or offer s …

a year ago

What are some colleges with a vibe similar to Smith College?

I'm totally drawn to the empowering environment at Smith College—the whole women's college and liberal arts focus thing they have going. Can anyone suggest more colleges that share that Smith vibe, es …

a year ago
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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.