CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hey fam! I'm a little overwhelmed with all the stuff I have to do for college apps. Is there anyone who could break down the steps for applying through the Common App? Just a simple guide that could s …

Quick question, folks – should I bother putting the AP Scholar award on my Common App? Is it considered significant enough by admissions officers, or is it too common and should I leave it out for som …

USC is one of my top choices because of its film program and the buzz on campus. For a cinephile who also wants a school with vibrant student life, what other universities would you suggest that are s …

Starting to feel the money stress, and I'm trying to get ahead on scholarships. Class of 2024 people, how are you all finding scholarships and which ones are you aiming for? Any tips are appreciated!

Feeling a bit stressed here - does anyone have advice on which AP classes are the most beneficial when applying to top colleges? I'm currently planning my schedule for senior year and want to make sur …

Stressed junior here! Trying to manage my future course load by possibly taking geometry over the summer. Is that a solid plan or should I take it during the school year for the GPA boost? What do col …

Hey guys! I'm a junior and a varsity athlete planning to apply to pre-med programs. How much do admissions officers value athletic participation? If anyone has experience balancing sports with academi …

I'm super into tech and my school has a robotics class, which sounds amazing. But I'm a bit stressed about filling my schedule. Does taking a class like this help with getting into engineering program …

Quick question -- when I pay the enrollment deposit through the Common App, does this mean I’m 100% committed to that college, or can I change my mind if another acceptance comes through? I'm just try …

Does anyone think it's necessary to fill out all 10 activity slots on the Common App? I have a few solid extracurriculars I'm passionate about but don't want to add fluff just to hit the number. Will …

I'm currently an 8th grader gearing up for high school and the guidance counselor has suggested I could take an all honors class load. Is it common for freshmen to do this and does it pay off in the l …

I've heard UChicago is quite the academic powerhouse, but could you guys share some insights into which academic departments or majors the University of Chicago is especially well-known for?

I want to knock out some gen-ed requirements and heard Intro to Sociology CLEP could be a way to go. Has anyone here taken it and can share their experience? How hard is it and what should I be sure t …

I'm a junior thinking about joining the National Honor Society (NHS) at my school. Could anyone share what kind of tangible benefits come with being a part of NHS? I've heard about scholarship opportu …

I'm in the midst of college planning and researching what different schools excel in. Can anybody tell me what Indiana University is particularly known for? Do they have standout programs or a reputat …

Hi peeps. I've found some free online independent study courses that I can take outside of my high school curriculum. Would colleges consider these legit? Would they count them as rigorous or nah?

Yo, I'm diving into CLEP exams to cut down on college costs by earning credit beforehand. But I'm a bit confused how this might affect my financial aid package. Does anyone know if scoring well enough …

Hey folks, I'm mapping out my remaining science courses before I graduate. Does anyone know if there are certain science courses that are absolutely required or highly recommended to complete before h …

Hi friends, quick question because I've heard mixed things: What actually happens if you skip classes in high school? I’m not planning on doing it, but I'm curious about how it affects stuff like tran …

I’m really stressed out. I just got a grade back and it’s not looking good—I might fail this class. What happens if I fail a class in high school? How will this impact my transcript and my college app …