CollegeVine Expert FAQ

I've got 'for honor' next to some of my classes on my transcript, and I'm a bit confused – does anyone know how colleges interpret that? Is it like an honors class, or something different? Will taking …

As a junior hearing a lot about the 'college experience', I'm starting to wonder what university life is actually like. Is it just studying and parties or is there more to it? How do you balance socia …

Brown University is obviously on a lot of people's radar for various reasons, but what in terms of academics makes it really shine? Looking for insights beyond the open curriculum—like are there any d …

I'm a junior considering my college options, and I keep seeing Stony Brook popping up. I know they are part of the SUNY system, but what academic fields or programs are they best known for? Are there …

Hey guys, I recently got inducted into the National Honor Society and I'm wondering how to effectively include this in my college applications. Do colleges view participation in an honor society as a …

I'm currently in love with the University of Maryland's collaborative and engaging academic atmosphere. I've heard they have great STEM programs and lots of research opportunities. Could y'all suggest …

WashU stands out to me because of its reputation in pre-med, but I’m trying to find other colleges that might offer a similar path. What are some universities that are known for excellent pre-med advi …

Little stressed here, I've been practicing for the PSAT and I’m kind of a guesser on tough questions. Does the PSAT take off points for wrong answers or is it like some tests where it’s better to gues …

So I've heard a few different things and I want to set the record straight. How many times can you take the PSAT/NMSQT? I know for the SAT you can take it multiple times, but I'm not clear on the rule …

I know most people take the PSAT in their junior year, but I've heard of some taking it as a sophomore too. Is there a benefit to this, or is it just extra practice? Like, does it look good for colleg …

Can someone explain how honors classes work in high school? Just started thinking about my schedule for next year, and I'm not really sure what the difference is between an honors course and a regular …

Yo, can someone give me the lowdown on Wofford College? I'm going through my college list and trying to figure out which ones excel in certain areas. What's Wofford known for? I'm into humanities, if …

Okay, so I've loaded up on a few tough classes for junior year, but I want to keep a good GPA. Are there any honors classes known to be on the easier side that can help balance my schedule but still s …

Hey folks! Doing a deep dive into my college list and University of Rochester caught my eye. Does anyone know what majors or fields the U of R excels in? Is there something particular that Rochester i …

Hey everyone! So I'm taking a couple of honors classes and I'm trying to figure out how they impact my overall GPA, especially when it comes to how colleges will view my transcript. Does the GPA weigh …

I'm trying to look back at my old PSAT scores to see my progress, but I'm not sure where to find them. Does anyone know how I can access these past scores? Thanks a bunch!

Hey everyone, I’ve been attending a private school for my high school years and I’m wondering how colleges view this. Do they consider the curriculum to be more rigorous, or does it not make much of a …

Calling all college knowledge buffs! I stumbled upon the University of Findlay, and I'm interested. What's their claim to fame—any programs or facilities that are particularly impressive?

Yo, quick question. I know AP courses are weighted and look good for college, but do honors classes also give a similar advantage when applying to colleges? Are they weighted similarly, and do they ho …

I'm a bit anxious because I just took my first PSAT and scored an 820. For a freshman, is that a score that sets me up well for improvement over the next couple of years? Also, would this be a good ba …