CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hey everyone, need some help understanding class ranking. I get that it’s sort of a comparison of student performance in my grade, but what does it actually mean? Is it based solely on GPA, or do they …

So, I'm starting to prep for the ACT, but I'm not really sure what I'm preparing for. I know about the sections (English/Reading/Science/Math), but what kind of questions do they ask? How do they test …

Long post ahead, sorry! So, I've been wanting to be a doctor for a while now. I know it's a long journey, but I'm trying to figure out what I can do in high school to get started on this path. Any adv …

Okay, so I'm considering taking AP Seminar next year, but I'm not exactly sure what you do in the class. Do we just write a lot? Do research? What's the workload like? Any advice or experience would b …

Hey, so... I know my teachers will be writing letters of recommendation for me, but I'm kind of curious what they actually look like. I mean, what do they usually say and include? What makes a good on …

Hey everybody, a bit of a different question here – I'm trying to figure out what values, attributes, and interests are common among Columbia students. What do they prioritize and focus on, both acade …

Hi folks, I'm a junior and Harvard is my dream college (always shoot for the stars right?). What kind of admissions requirements does Harvard usually have? I know about the GPA and test scores, but wh …

Hello, everyone. I'm a junior and just got back my SAT scores. They're not the worst, but they're not as high as I'd like. Can someone help me understand the highest possible composite score and the p …

Hey fam! I'm a junior in HS right now and thinking about college and all that jazz. I keep hearing about how extracurricular activities are really important but I'm stumped. What are some good ECs for …

Hey everyone! College is looming and honestly, I'm struggling with all these different 'majors' offered. Are they like specialized streams we have to choose? To what extent do they dictate what we stu …

I'm really not sure about this whole PSAT thing. I get that's like a 'practice SAT' - cute name, btw. But why should I bother with it? How does it help (or hurt?) college applications? Is it true it c …

I'm thinking about taking the ACT this year. I've heard different stuff from different people and it's kind of freaking me out. What would be considered 'passing' or at the very least, a decent enough …

Somebody explain to me like I'm five, please: What are these 'extracurriculars' that people can't seem to stop talking about when it comes to applying to college? What kinds of activities fall into th …

Hey folks, I'm a bit confused about what elective classes are in high school. Do they have any impact on college admissions? Are they supposed to be less demanding than the other classes? Also, how do …

So, not to sound clueless, but I keep hearing about APS in school and on this sub. I'm just wondering, what are APS in the sense of academics and how do they come into play when we talk about college …

This might sound kinda dumb, but what exactly are these 'Advanced Placement' courses that my counselor keeps hassling me about? Are they a compulsory part of high school? Do colleges see them as 'extr …

Hey guys, I've been having a tough time trying to figure out the GPA requirements for admission to Western Michigan. What kind of grades do they typically look for? Does anyone know if they prefer wei …

Hey everyone! I've been researching some colleges and Westconn caught my eye but acceptances seem kind of competitive. Anyone know their acceptance rate? It'd help me gauge my chances of getting in. T …

Junior year, high school. I've got my eye on West Virginia University. My GPA is solid but not stellar. Any ideas on the GPA requirements there? Any insight appreciated.

Hey guys! I'm a current junior and I've been looking into schools like Wesleyan University. Does anyone know what the average admitted GPA is for Wesleyan? I'm rocking a decent, but not top-tier, GPA …