CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hey all, I'm applying to Drexel and just saw that they have a supplemental essay. Does anyone know what topics they typically ask about, and how much weight does it carry in the admissions process?

Hey everyone, I'm trying to write my college essays and I'm kinda stressed about how to effectively communicate my greatest talent or skill without sounding arrogant. How have others approached this, …

I'm a bit confused with the whole EA process. Could someone break down when the majority of Early Action deadlines fall? I want to make sure I don't miss out just because I got the dates mixed up. Any …

Hey guys, I’m trying to understand how my GPA reflects on my transcript in terms of letter grades. Can anyone explain how a GPA number converts to a letter grade? For example, what letter grade would …

So, I heard some chatter about the SAT going digital and I'm wondering, does anyone know when this will happen? Will it affect those of us who're planning to take it in the next year or two? Honestly …

I've been hearing different things from different people and it's kinda confusing. Some say junior year is the ultimate deal-maker or breaker, others say it’s a mix. Can anyone tell me which year of h …

I'm a junior interested in medicine and I've heard about the Pitt BSMD program. It seems like a solid path, but I’m a little unsure about how competitive it is or what they look for in an applicant. D …

Our AP Lang teacher assigned us a debate project and said that choosing a good topic is half the battle won. What are some debatable topics that high schools usually go for that are complex enough to …

Hey guys, I'm applying to Carleton and I'm working on my supplemental essays. I'm wondering how specific I should get about my personal experiences and interests? Should I focus on stories that highli …

I've heard some students mention QPA during college app discussions and I'm not sure how it's different from GPA. Could someone explain the difference between GPA and QPA? Does one matter more than th …

I'm a junior and deeply involved in competitive cheerleading. I'm wondering if my dedication to the sport can help me secure scholarships for college and if being an athlete affects admission decision …

Hey, I'm struggling a bit to understand what exactly colleges are looking for in the supplemental essays. Does anyone know where I can look at some successful examples? I learn best by example and wou …

So, I've heard about eating clubs at some schools like Princeton but I'm not really sure what they're actually about. Are they just fancy dining halls or is there more to them? How important are they …

So I’ve been asked to write a letter of recommendation for a classmate... which is a first for me. Any tips on what to include and how to make sure it helps them stand out?

Indiana U is one of my top choices and I want to nail their supplemental essays. Can anyone who's been through the process share some advice or things they wish they knew before they started writing?

I'm trying to understand what practices make a Common App essay memorable. If you're comfortable sharing, I'd love to see some sample essays that got you or someone you know into a great school, espec …

I’ve been trying to understand financial aid and came across the federal work study program. Does anyone know how much this factor into college decisions? Is it something I need to apply for separatel …

As I'm prepping for applications, I noticed each college seems to have its own vibe for their essays. Any advice on how to adapt my writing to fit different colleges' expected essay formats without lo …

Planning ahead and I'd like to know what GPA would make me a competitive transfer applicant from a community college. I know it might be different from high school GPAs, any thoughts on what colleges …

This might be a silly question, but my school uses a 100-point grading scale and I'm trying to figure out how to convert that into the 4.0 scale for my college apps. Does anyone know how this works or …