CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hey, guys! As a junior starting to get serious about the college process, I'm a tiny bit overwhelmed. I know grades and test scores are important, but what other characteristics are colleges really lo …

I'm trying to balance my dream school aspirations with some financial realism here. Does anyone know if JHU awards merit scholarships? If so, how competitive are they, and what sort of profiles usuall …

I've always had a strong connection to HBCUs because of my family's history, and I'm seriously considering attending one. I know they have a unique cultural and educational significance, but I wonder …

Math’s not my strongest suit, especially when it comes to word problems on the SAT. Any strategies or resources you guys recommend for tackling them? How do you break down the question to figure out w …

Hi friends, as I'm compiling potential scholarships to apply for, given that I have a strong interest in possibly attending an HBCU, are there specific scholarships like the Wellington HBCU Scholars P …

Hey guys, I've been looking into historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) lately, and they seem really interesting. I know they were originally established for African-American students, b …

Does anyone have tips or experiences to share for someone looking to attend or participate in the next HBCU Hall of Fame Classic event? Also, how impactful is this sort of thing for a high schooler's …

Just heard about the Carnegie Mellon fly-in program, and it sounds like a fantastic opportunity. Can anyone share how competitive it is to get into, and what you need to include in your application to …

Hey everyone, I'm working on my college apps and I'm stressing over the essay, especially for CS programs I'm applying to. How important is the computer science essay in comparison to other parts of t …

Hey everyone, I'm hoping to major in sports medicine and I’m aiming for an HBCU. Anybody here know which HBCUs excel in sports medicine and related fields? Insight on faculty, resources, and linkage t …

Stanford is my dream school and I’m super anxious about every detail of the application. I’ve been prepping for a potential interview but then read somewhere that not all applicants get one. Is this t …

Money is tight and I'm trying to save where I can during the college app process. Can someone point me towards HBCUs that don't charge an application fee, or have fee waivers? Any tips for the applica …

I've been looking into the financial aspects of college and CMU is one of my top choices. However, I'm a bit unclear on how the merit scholarship process works there. Can someone explain how to apply …

I'm doing a project on educational legislation and I'm super curious about how the Higher Education Act of 1965 impacted HBCUs. Has it had a lasting influence on their funding or academic programs? An …

Is anyone familiar with NYU’s policy on AP credits? I have a bunch of AP classes I’m taking and I’m hoping they’ll lighten my load in college. Does NYU accept a lot of AP credits or are there limitati …

I'm trying to save money and I need more practice materials. Does anyone have recommendations for websites where I can find free PSAT practice tests that are updated and similar to the real deal?

Marching bands seem to be a huge deal at HBCUs, and I'm really into music, so I'm interested. How does being in a marching band at an HBCU differ from the experience at other colleges? Are there any h …

I'm super into painting and graphic design and I've heard that showing your creative side can help your college apps. But I'm not sure how to do this effectively. What are some examples or ways that y …

I'm brainstorming for my college essays and would love to go with a classical argument format for at least one of them. Could you guys drop some topic ideas that would stand out? I'm aiming for someth …

I've read a few posts about setting up a realistic ACT practice test environment at home. Has anyone tried this with a parent proctoring? I feel like it could either be helpful or just add extra press …