CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hey all. I’m just wondering — what’s the real point of college essays in the admissions process? Is it just to assess our writing skills, or is there something more they're looking at?

Hi friends! I'm in a bit of a stress spiral thinking about standardized tests. Just wondering, if you do really well on the PSAT, does it have any real benefits for college admissions, or is it mostly …

Okay, I'm trying not to freak out, but when exactly do you take the PSAT/NMSQT? Is there a specific grade or time of year? Just want to make sure I don't miss out on prep opportunities for National Me …

I'm starting to prep for the PSAT and I’m a bit confused about the content. What subjects should I be studying? And does it have the same sections as the SAT? Any tips on what materials to use or area …

I've been exploring various universities and Penn State keeps getting mentioned. Could anyone elaborate on why Penn State University has such a widespread reputation? Are there specific programs, trad …

The crunch is real! Got the PSAT coming up much faster than I'm comfortable with, and I need some last-minute study tips. Any quick fixes or areas I should focus on to maximize my score increment in t …

Feeling pretty unsure here, I've got a 1040 on my PSAT and I'm a sophomore. Is this score competitive? I know I have time to improve, but I want to come up with a solid strategy. Any recommendations o …

Hello everyone! I'm starting to prepare for the PSAT and I'm aiming to do really well. I'm not really sure what score I should be aiming for though. What's considered an impressive PSAT score that cou …

Hey everyone, just took the PSAT as a sophomore and I'm curious about what score range is generally considered good for someone in my grade level. I want to gauge where I stand and understand how much …

I've been hearing a lot about the National Merit Scholarship, but are there any other scholarships that use PSAT scores as part of their criteria? How can I find out which scholarships I might be elig …

Hey, my school is offering the PSAT 8/9 and I'm just curious how long it takes. Do I need to clear my whole Saturday morning, or is it shorter than that?

Hey guys, I'm a bit anxious about the PSAT and I've been trying to get in some good practice before I actually sit for the test. Does anyone know where I can take PSAT practice tests that are legit an …

What’s up, guys? I'm currently a junior and doing some research on different universities. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what Northeastern Illinois University is particularly known for. Do t …

I'm curious about the PSAT and how much it matters for college admissions. What score range on the PSAT do colleges typically look for, or is it just the SAT/ACT scores that really count? Any insights …

I'm in my junior year and was wondering how often the PSAT is offered. Is it just once a year, or can I take it multiple times to improve scores before it 'counts' for National Merit consideration?

I'm in the process of listing out colleges I might apply to, and I keep running across names of smaller universities that I'm not super familiar with. Specifically, could anyone tell me what Hollins U …

Hi everyone, I'm trying to decide if sharing my journey with depression in my college essay is a good move. It's a big part of my story and has profoundly affected my high school years. I want to show …

Hey guys, I've been researching different universities and I came across Washington University in St. Louis. It seems like a great place, but I'm curious about what specific programs or aspects it's r …

So, I've seen a bunch of different answers and I'm a bit confused. Is the PSAT only for juniors, or do sophomores take it too? I wanna plan ahead and I'm trying to figure out when I'm expected to take …

Hi folks! I'm starting to map out my testing schedule and I'm wondering, when's the best time to take the PSAT and then the SAT? Is there a strategic way to space them out or should I just take them a …