CollegeVine Expert FAQ

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


How can I make the most of college fairs and open houses?

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 …

a year ago

Is it better to write about a personal challenge or an accomplishment in my college essay?

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 …

a year ago

Can I get into UCLA even if I have a few bad grades on my transcript?

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 …

a year ago

How does demonstrated financial need affect college admissions?

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 …

a year ago

Are AP classes worth it?

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 …

a year ago

How do I start building relationships with college admissions officers?

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 …

a year ago

Any advice for choosing a college essay topic?

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 …

a year ago

What should I focus on during summer break to improve my college chances?

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 …

a year ago

How important is the college essay compared to the rest of my application?

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 …

a year ago

Can extensive reading be counted as an extracurricular activity?

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 …

a year ago

Are IB courses harder than AP courses?

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 …

a year ago

What are some strategies for balancing AP courses and extracurriculars?

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 …

a year ago

Does having a part-time job help with college admissions?

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 …

a year ago

How can I best prepare for college admissions interviews?

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 …

a year ago

What should I do during my junior year to prepare for college applications?

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 …

a year ago

Do I need to have a 'spike' to get into a top college?

Hello everyone, I'm a junior and I've been hearing a lot about the importance of having a 'spike' in your application to get into top colleges. Is this true? What if I have a good GPA and test scores, …

a year ago

What is the process for applying for financial aid?

Hi guys! I'm a bit overwhelmed by the financial aid process, and I'm not sure where to start. What are the steps I need to take to apply for financial aid, and are there any important deadlines I shou …

a year ago

What should I do during my gap year?

Hello everyone! I'm a junior and I've been considering taking a gap year before starting college. For those of you who have taken a gap year, what did you do during that time, and how did it affect yo …

a year ago

Should I focus on having more extracurriculars or fewer but deeper involvement?

Hi there! I'm a junior and I've been involved in a few extracurriculars that I'm passionate about (robotics club, drama, and tennis). I've heard that colleges like to see students with a lot of extrac …

a year ago

Can I list art as an extracurricular activity on my college application?

Hi! I'm a junior who loves creating art in my spare time. It's a pretty important hobby of mine, and I'm curious if I can list it as an extracurricular activity on my college application. Thoughts?

a year ago
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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.