CollegeVine Expert FAQ

Hi all, my GPA freshman year was pretty low but has steadily increased since. I want to address this in my college application, but I'm not sure how. Any suggestions for explaining my improved perform …

Hi everyone, I'm wondering if colleges prefer to see weighted or unweighted GPAs on applications. Which one is more advantageous, or are they considered equally? Thank you for any insights!

Hey there! I'm wondering how much colleges actually care about AP scores. I've taken a few AP classes, but I'm not sure if it's worth it to send in my scores if they're not all 4s or 5s. Should I only …

Hi all, I'm a really passionate about poetry and I thought it might be unique to write a poem for my college essay instead of a traditional narrative. I'm not sure if this is a good idea or if it woul …

Hey everyone, I participated in a study abroad program last summer, and I'm wondering if this can be considered an extracurricular activity while applying to college? Your advice is much appreciated!

Hey guys, I'm a junior, and I've been working part-time at a local store for a couple of years now. I was wondering if having a job can be considered an extracurricular activity on college application …

Hey everyone, I'm a junior and I've been considering taking some dual enrollment courses at my local community college. I'm wondering how admissions officers view these courses compared to AP or IB cl …

Hey guys, I'm having a hard time coming up with a topic for my college essay. What are some effective brainstorming techniques or strategies you've used to generate ideas? Any advice would be greatly …

Hi everyone! I've been involved in my school's choir for the past three years and thoroughly enjoy it. I'm a bit unsure if colleges consider choir as an extracurricular activity. Can anyone provide so …

Hi all, I'm working on my college essay, and I was thinking about writing it with humor. Is it appropriate to have a funny essay, or should I stick to a more serious tone? If humor is okay, do you hav …

Hi everyone, I'm deciding between taking IB and AP classes. I've heard mixed opinions about whether IB is harder than AP or not. What are your thoughts on this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated …

Hi guys, I'm taking several AP courses this year, and I'd like to know what my options are regarding credit at different colleges I'm considering. How can I find out which AP credits a specific colleg …

Hello! I'm a junior, and I'm considering applying to some Ivy League schools. I know they're prestigious, but I've also heard that they can be really competitive and stressful. Is it worth it to apply …

Hi everyone, I'm a bit worried because I have a lower GPA than I'd like, but my test scores are pretty solid. Will colleges overlook my GPA if my test scores are high, or should I focus on improving m …

Applying to colleges can get really expensive, and I know there are fee waivers available. How and when do I request one? Will the college be less likely to accept me if I ask for financial help? I'm …

Hi guys, I'm a junior in high school and I'm starting to brainstorm ideas for my college essay. I want to choose a topic that will be interesting and memorable, but I'm not sure where to start. What t …

Hey, I'm trying to figure out what I should include on my college applications. I spend a lot of time going to the gym and staying active. Would that be considered an extracurricular activity by colle …

Hello! I've been practicing yoga for a few years now and have even participated in some local workshops. Is yoga something I can include as an extracurricular activity on my college applications, or s …

Hey guys! I'm a junior, and I'm trying to decide if I should apply early decision or early action to any colleges. What are the benefits and drawbacks of each? Thanks for any advice you can provide!

Hi everyone, I’m unable to visit colleges in person due to COVID, so I'm relying on virtual college visits. How can I make the most of them, and what questions should I ask to get a real sense of each …