CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Currently a high school junior and digging through my college options. Talladega College caught my eye – I know it's an HBCU, but I don't hear about it as much as others. Anyone here have experiences …

Hey y'all, quick question about CLEP exams - are they all multiple choice or are there other formats? Just trying to get a sense of what kind of test-taking strategies I should be developing. Thanks i …

Hey fam, just trying to get a clearer picture here. What criteria or characteristics determine if a college is recognized as a Historically Black College or University? I've seen some schools labeled …

I’m super interested in the culture and history of HBCUs and I heard Atlanta has some great ones. Can anyone share what kind of unique opportunities might be available for students at Atlanta-based HB …

Hey everyone, junior here. With AP exams and finals coming up, Im trying to get a solid study routine down. Can anyone share some study methods or techniques that work for you in high school? Im tryin …

Hi all, I'm trying to get a feel for the impact of HBCUs and I'm curious, does anyone know of some famous people who attended HBCUs? Like, what kind of fields have they gone into? It's really motivati …

Hey everyone, I'm pondering whether to take online art classes to enhance my skills and portfolio. Can these be considered a legitimate part of my high school art experience when applying to colleges? …

I'm feeling really unchallenged in a couple of my classes this semester. Does anyone have experience with switching to more advanced classes mid-year? How did you approach your counselor?

If I've been heavily involved in shop class and have some major projects under my belt, should I include these in my college apps, and do they count as substantial extracurricular activities for an as …

What's up everyone? I’m planning to take the CLEP Calculus exam and was wondering if anyone knows how often these exam dates come up? Also, any recommendations on where I can get a good study guide, p …

Does anyone have any advice on how to maintain a perfect 4.0 throughout high school? I'm a junior and aiming for that but I'm worried about upcoming AP classes. Any study tips or time management strat …

So, due to my parents' jobs, there's a chance we might move and I'll have to transfer schools. Has anyone ever dealt with transferring high schools and know what happens to your GPA? Do all your grade …

Hi guys, I'm a bit confused about essay formatting. Does anyone think it's necessary or beneficial to add a title to my Common App essay or is it better to just jump right into the narrative?

Hey y'all! Does anyone have the 411 on HBCU cultural events, specifically something like Battle of the Bands? I play the trumpet and I'm hyped about the idea of participating. Which schools are known …

I've got this essay to write about why I'm choosing an HBCU, and I'm stuck. I have my personal reasons but I'm not sure how to put it into words that would resonate with admissions. Any tips on how to …

Hey everyone, as a junior starting to look at colleges, I've been thinking a lot about HBCUs and how their rankings impact admissions. Do higher ranked HBCUs have more competitive admissions? And shou …

Hey everyone, I've been swimming competitively for a couple of years and I'm considering joining an HBCU swim team. Do you think being an athlete on one of these teams is viewed positively by admissio …

I've got this unique essay idea where I'd address the reader using the second-person perspective. It feels really engaging to me, but I'm worried it might be off-putting or too different for an admiss …

Hi everyone! As a junior beginning the college search, I've become interested in historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). I've read brochures and attended a few virtual info sessions, but …

Just curious, since I have an opportunity to take some college classes at a local community college while still in high school, does doing so really boost my college application?