CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hi there! I've done a substantial amount of volunteer work, and I was wondering if colleges place a high value on this during the admissions process? Any input would be appreciated.

Hey guys, I'm in the midst of writing my college essay, and I'm curious: do colleges really read all the essays they receive? If they receive thousands of applications, how do they manage to read all …

Hi there! I'm a junior and I want to make the most of the upcoming summer break to strengthen my college applications. What are some productive ways to spend my time that will help me stand out to col …

Hi, I'm a junior and have been babysitting my younger siblings for a couple of years now. Is it appropriate to include this in my list of extracurricular activities on college applications? Thanks!

I have been working part-time after school and on weekends throughout high school. I was wondering if this would be considered an extracurricular activity when applying to colleges, or just something …

Hi there! I'm planning on attending some college fairs and open houses soon, but I'm not sure how to make the most of these events. Can you provide some tips on how to get the most valuable informatio …

Hey guys, I'm torn between writing about a personal challenge I've overcome or an accomplishment I'm proud of for my college essay. Which one do you think would make a stronger essay? Any advice would …

UCLA is one of my top choices, but my grades in freshman and sophomore year were less-than-impressive. My GPA has improved significantly since then. How much weight will UCLA place on my past performa …

Hi everyone! I'm a bit worried about how my family's financial situation might affect my college admissions chances. We have a pretty low income, and I'm not sure if that will help or hurt me in the a …

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I'm trying to decide whether to take AP classes next year. I've heard that they can help with college admissions, but I'm worried about the workload. Are AP classes worth it …

Hi all! I've heard that building relationships with college admissions officers can be beneficial during the application process. How do I go about doing this? What are some appropriate ways to reach …

Hello, I'm having a hard time deciding on a topic for my college essay. I want it to be unique and personal, but I'm struggling to find the right focus. Does anyone have any advice or tips on how to c …

Hey everyone! Summer break is coming up and I'm trying to figure out what I should focus on to improve my chances for college admissions. Should I work on SAT prep, volunteer, or find internships? I'm …

I'm stressing about my college essay and I'm wondering how much weight it holds compared to my grades, test scores, and extracurriculars. Should I be more focused on other parts of my application or i …

Hey guys! I'm an avid reader and have always enjoyed immersing myself in novels and other literature. Would colleges consider extensive reading as an extracurricular activity, or should I focus on mor …

Hey everyone! I have the option to take either AP or IB courses at my school, but I’m not sure which one to choose. Are IB courses generally considered to be harder or more time-consuming than AP cour …

Hi guys! I'm taking several AP courses this year, and I'm struggling to balance my academics with my extracurricular commitments. What strategies or tips do you have for managing both effectively? I'd …

Hello everyone! I'm a junior and I've been working a part-time job for a while now. I'm wondering if having a part-time job will be considered a positive factor in my college applications? Also, how s …

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I'm starting to think about the college admissions process. I've heard that some colleges require interviews and I want to be prepared. Do you have any tips or resources for …

Hi everyone! I'm currently a high school junior, and I want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to prepare for college applications. What are some things I should be focusing on this year to make …