CollegeVine Expert FAQ

What's up, future Harvard applicants and alums! I’m drafting the additional essay for Harvard, and I’m kinda confused about how long it should be. The prompt says there’s no word limit, but what's a g …

Hey guys, I'm aiming for Princeton and I saw something about a 'graded written paper'. Does anyone know what kind of paper they're looking for? Do they want a term paper, an essay exam, or something e …

Hey everyone! I've been looking into colleges, and the idea of attending an HBCU really appeals to me. However, I'm a bit concerned about the differences in funding. Could someone shed light on whethe …

Could someone explain how important letters of recommendation are? I'm trying to figure out if they're crucial to the application, or just something that could slightly boost my app if they're good.

Hey everyone, I've been doing some research on HBCUs and noticed they have a big cultural impact, especially through events like the HBCU Classic. Does anyone know if being an athlete in high-profile …

I came across St. Augustine’s University during my HBCU search and I’m curious about its reputation, particularly when it comes to its alumni network and job placement after graduation. Does anyone ha …

Hi fellow juniors! When do people usually take their first SAT? I want to make sure I start prepping soon enough but not too early, you know? Plus, I don't want to miss out on any better opportunities …

So I've been doing some research for my history project and got super interested in the role of HBCU's, especially the first ones established in the South. I'm curious if anyone knows which was the fi …

Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a dilemma. I've been accepted to both Fayetteville State University and Florida A&M, both HBCUs, and I'm torn on where to go. I've heard great things about the culture an …

Hey guys, I'm wondering how to craft my extra activities list for college apps. Should I focus on leadership positions or just stuff I'm super passionate about? Does it look bad if I start something n …

Hey, I’ve been thinking about applying to smaller HBCUs because I love the idea of a tight-knit community and strong cultural ties. Can anyone share their experiences on the social scene, class sizes, …

I’m trying to compile a list of well-funded HBCUs, as I’ve heard that a strong endowment can be indicative of the resources and support available to students. Can someone point me toward where I could …

Okay, so I get that AP classes can boost my GPA because they're weighted, but how exactly do letter grades translate to GPA points on the 4.0 scale? Does it differ a lot between high schools?

I've got a presentation for history class and I thought I'd dive into something close to my prospective college journey. Anyone got the details on how HBCUs started? Like, what events led to their cre …

Anyone have a link or resource for solid UC essay examples? The UC prompts are kinda unique and I think it would help me a lot to see some essays that have been successful in the past. Preferably look …

Hi folks, I'm trying to understand how my Expected Family Contribution (EFC) compares to the Student Aid Index (SAI) and how each of these figures will impact my financial aid offers. Is one more impo …

Hey folks! I just heard about the NBA HBCU Fellowship Program, and it sounds like a dream come true for someone interested in sports management. Does anyone know how competitive this fellowship is or …

So, I've always been a straight-A student, but this year my grades have taken a hit (hello B's and even a C!). I’m a bit anxious; how much will this drop affect my college apps? Should I address this …

Hi all! I'm trying to be proactive about my extracurriculars and was wondering if anyone knows of any free programs for high school students that could both be fun and add something unique to my colle …

I've heard a lot about Spelman College being a prestigious HBCU for women. What unique opportunities does Spelman offer and how is student life different there compared to co-ed HBCUs?