CollegeVine Expert FAQ

I've been staring at the Common App essay prompts for a while now and I'm just not sure how to choose one that fits my story best. How did you all pick your prompt? Were there any examples you looked …

Hey everyone, I'm a junior feeling a bit nervous about my GPA. I've seen how competitive colleges are and I’m wondering: how important is my current cumulative GPA when it comes to admissions? Do coll …

Hi all! Currently a junior planning my senior year schedule, and I'm thinking of dropping Spanish BUT I'm worried about college admissions. I've taken 3 years already. Do most colleges require a forei …

I’m not sure how to start looking for HBCUs close to where I live. Are there any tools or maps online that could help me out with this? I'm hoping to visit a few, so proximity is key.

Hey peeps, I've been debating whether to take APUSH, AP World, or AP Euro next year and I’m kinda curious – which AP history class do y’all think is the hardest? Also, any tips on how to prepare for t …

I'm getting ahead of myself, but I'm super into representing my cultural heritage when I graduate. Do you guys think investing in a stole from an HBCU for my high school graduation is meaningful for c …

I'm in the middle of my college search and I'm specifically looking into HBCUs. I've come across Clark Atlanta University and I'm a bit confused – is it considered an HBCU? Any info would be super hel …

So, I’m working on my George Washington University app and I'm at the supplemental essay part. They ask why you want to attend GWU, but I’m not sure how specific I should get without being cliche. Any …

Guys, I'm totally into music and performance and I've heard that HBCU marching bands are something else. Can anyone share how being in an HBCU marching band has influenced their college experience? Do …

Hey everyone! I'm doing some research on HBCUs and I've heard some cool things about Dillard University. Can anyone share what the student community is like over there? Also, how good are their academ …

I've been getting more involved in extracurriculars this year, and I'm really interested in attending an HBCU. Can anyone share how their high school activities were viewed in their HBCU admissions pr …

Hey fellow students! My school uses a really weird grading scale and I want to convert my GPA for college apps. How crucial is it that I use the correct conversion scale? I’m worried I might make a mi …

I just got an invite to join the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) and I’m trying to figure out if it’s worth it. I've heard mixed things—does anyone know if it truly looks good on coll …

Feeling a tad overwhelmed with starting my SAT prep, and I could use some advice. Do you guys have any general tips or strategies that made a significant difference in your scores? All help is appreci …

Anyone here passionate about fashion and thinking about college? I'm trying to find an HBCU with a great Fashion Design major. I'm looking for schools that not only have the major but also provide goo …

Got a big persuasive speech coming up for my English class and I'm drawing a blank. What are some impactful topics you guys have used or heard about that resonate well with high school audiences?

This might be looking a bit far ahead, lol, but I'm intrigued by the social aspects of college life and I've heard that HBCUs have some lit reunion weekends. Does anyone know how these events work and …

I’m planning out my schedule for senior year and I’m trying to challenge myself but not die from the workload 😅. Can anyone share their experiences with the hardest AP course they’ve taken and give so …

Quick question for those who've been through this process—what's the standard format for college-level essays? I know they're a big deal for applications and I want to make sure mine stands out in a g …

There's a lot of talk about the 'best' majors, but I'm curious about the other side. What factors should I look into that might make a major less desirable? Just want to make sure I'm considering all …