Skip to main content

CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Explore our collection of admissions FAQs. Each answer is expert-approved by our team to help you reach your goals.


What themes make for the best college essays?

Okay, so it's time to get real about college essays. I want to write something that stands out and isn't the same old story. In everyone’s opinion here, what are the themes or narratives that really m …

2 years ago

Is the TI-89 calculator permitted on the AP Calculus exam?

Making a quick check here because I've heard different things. I'm most comfortable using a TI-89 calculator, so I just wanted to confirm: can we use the TI-89 on the AP Calculus exam or should I star …

2 years ago

When do AP exams get graded, and how does that process work?

Does anyone here know how soon AP exams are graded after we take them, and what's the grading process like? Just trying to get an idea of when to expect results and how they decide our fate with those …

2 years ago

AP Lit Exam: What Themes or Works Should I Focus On?

Hey guys, with the AP Lit exam coming up I’m a bit worried about the books and themes I should be focusing on. Which literary works are essentials, and what types of themes or analysis should I be sur …

2 years ago

Balancing study time for multiple AP exams?

Hey y’all, I’m a bit frazzled with the amount of AP exams I’ve got lined up this year. How do you balance studying for several different APs without losing your mind? Any scheduling tips or study stra …

2 years ago

AP Exam Fees

Does anyone know when the deadline is to pay for AP exams? I'm trying to budget my junior year expenses and don’t want any surprises. Also, are there any fee waivers or reductions I should be aware of …

2 years ago

Does the PSAT score really matter for anything?

Okay, so I’ve taken the PSAT, and I’m stressing out about my score. Do these scores actually count for anything significant outside of National Merit Scholarship considerations?

2 years ago

How do I pick a compelling college essay topic?

Hey guys, I've been brainstorming for a while, and I'm struggling to decide what to write about for my college essay. How do I choose a subject that is both interesting to admissions officers and true …

2 years ago

In search of colleges with a strong engineering program like Lafayette College?

Junior here feeling a bit in over my head. I've heard that Lafayette College has a robust engineering program within a liberal arts context, which sounds really appealing to me. I'm wondering if you g …

2 years ago

What does the typical profile of an accepted MIT undergrad look like?

Hey folks! I'm really aiming for MIT, and I'm wondering what the average profile of an accepted student is? Like, what sort of GPA, extracurriculars, or awards do they usually have? Trying to figure o …

2 years ago

Total number of questions on the AP Calculus AB exam?

I'm really stressing out here! Does anyone know exactly how many questions are included in the AP Calculus AB exam? Need to figure out how long to spend on each!

2 years ago

AP Lit Exam Prep: What should I bring?

Hey everyone, so I'm prepping for the AP Lit exam and I'm wondering what essentials I should bring. Should I just stick with pens and pencils, or are there other must-haves that you veterans know abou …

2 years ago

How should I start off my college essay?

Feeling stuck and could use some advice! What's a good strategy for the opening lines of a college essay? Should I jump straight into a story, set the scene with some context, or maybe start with an i …

2 years ago

Is including my name in the college essay necessary, or is it redundant?

Hey everyone, I've got a quick question about the college application essay. Do you think I should put my name on the top of my essay? I'm thinking it might be redundant since my application will have …

2 years ago

When's the Final AP Exam?

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know when the last AP exam is held? I'm trying to figure out how the schedule works and when everything wraps up for this year.

2 years ago

AP Exam Study Time Recommendations?

Hello all, I just started prepping for my AP exams and wanted to get some advice. How many hours do you guys usually put in to study for an AP exam? I want to do well but also have a lot of other comm …

2 years ago

Writing a killer 'Why Us' essay?

How do you write a 'Why Us' essay without falling into cliches or sounding like you just reworded the brochure? I'm struggling to find a balance between showing genuine interest and just regurgitating …

2 years ago

Should my college essay focus on the major I want to pursue?

I've hit a wall trying to write my college essay. I can't decide if I should center it around my intended major or if that’s too cliché and they’d rather hear about something else. Did anyone else wri …

2 years ago

Can middle schoolers sign up for AP exams?

So, I just found out that some 8th graders take AP exams. I'm in junior year and contemplating if I should've started earlier. Are there any real advantages if you start taking AP exams in middle scho …

2 years ago

School suggestions similar to Quinnipiac in terms of size and programs?

Quinnipiac's size seems perfect—not too big or too small—and their programs are pretty neat. What are some other colleges that provide a similar atmosphere and quality of education?

2 years ago
Displaying questions 172141-172160 of 178041 total
About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.