By Jennifer L. For many high school students, sports are more than just after-school activities — they’re a core part of your identity, discipline, and community. But when it comes to college admissions, how much do athletics really matter for you? The answer depends largely on how sports fit into your overall college plan. First, consider your role if you participate in sports but do not plan to compete in
By Justin B. For high school juniors, college applications may feel far away, but beginning to prepare for your activities list now can make it much easier to complete it later. The activities list is an important part of both the Common Application and University of California application, helping admissions officers understand how you spend your time, what you care about, and how you’ve grown outside the classroom. Here are
By Lilly G. In today’s competitive admissions landscape, a strong extracurricular profile is often what sets you apart among thousands of applicants who may have similar GPAs and test scores. A standout extracurricular profile should demonstrate your initiative, leadership and responsibility, as well as how you grow over time. So, how to build a well-planned and meaningful extracurricular profile? Here are some strategies that can be helpful to boost your
By Jennifer L. For high school students in the Bay Area, internships offer a powerful way to explore interests, build skills, and stand out on college applications. Admissions officers consistently emphasize that meaningful, hands-on experiences—especially those connected to a student’s academic passions—demonstrate initiative, maturity, and real-world readiness. Fortunately, the Bay Area is one of the richest regions in the country for internship opportunities across technology, science, business, the arts, as
By David H. N., PhD The CSS Profile is a web portal created by the College Board to help students get non-federal financial aid directly from colleges. While it does not replace the FAFSA, which is meant to help students get financial aid from federal sources, it is worth your while to fill one out. Here is a three-minute summary of the CSS Profile. What Colleges Require It? Mostly private
