There is nothing as important as the grades you get and achieving the best possible test scores when you are trying to get into your top choice of college. But also considered by admissions are the extracurricular activities a student has taken part in. As well as working hard on your course or subjects students participating in other things do stand out. It has been shown that students that take part in such things are more socially involved in college and have a better attendance record too. While the most commonly attended activities are clubs and different sports there are other options. A student being involved in one or more activities makes them more desirable as a college applicant. They are more engaged, more likely to stick with their studies and there is less chance of them failing or withdrawing from their studies.
Some of the great benefits students can enjoy with extracurricular activities
As well as building experiences and memories there are other benefits. They include;
- Improves a student’s self-esteem and confidence level
- Creates a student with better management of time than other students
- Improves their ability to build relationships and be more comfortable in social situations
- Helps add to a college application and make them more noticeable
- Is a chance for a student to explore their passions and talents
- Allows for improved personal development and growth
- Improves their ability to keep to the commitments they make
Some truths about extracurricular activities
Here are some of the misconceptions about such activities and college admissions and what the truth is.
● The choice is completely subjective – It is true that since the panel in admissions is of course made up of people then there is some subjectivity in the choosing, but it is not completely subjective. There is a process in place that every college comes up with to evaluate each application and applicant. In terms of extracurricular activities different ones fall into four tiers of categorization with tier 4 being the most basic of involvement, and up to tier 1 being the most involved and most accomplished. It is mostly a rational process being followed.
● Extracurricular activities are not important – This is not the case, they are a big part of your admission. Next to grades, test scores, and application essays these activities play a big role in how students can stand out and how their interests can gain them an advantage.
● The more activities you are involved in the better – There is sometimes this idea that the more clubs and activities you are a part of the better your application looks and will do. This is not the case. In fact, if you are doing too many things you often have only a surface-level involvement in all of them and that is less impressive to college admission committees. One or two activities are all that is needed as long as you show great qualities, passion, talent, achievement and drive in that focus.
● Students need to show they have done volunteer work – A lot of parents and students think that volunteer work must be something they have done. This means volunteering time at somewhere like an animal shelter, or feeding the homeless or running fundraisers and such. If the volunteer work is a passion and meaningful to the student then that is great, but you do not have to throw it on there.
● The best extracurriculars are sports and music – While these are where the more common activities happen, it is not the only thing a person can do. The key is commitment, passion and time spent. If you are learning to play the piano, but are only a mediocre player and are really just doing it for your application to college, that is not going to get you an advantage. Put your time elsewhere into something of more interest to you.
● Colleges look for students in specific types of extracurricular activities – There is the idea that the top colleges only want to see certain types of activities and clubs but in fact, you might stand out better by not following along and doing the same things as others.
Summary
With these facts in mind a student can better aim for activities that suit their passion and talents, and not have to run themselves ragged on too many things. Be true to yourself while being the best version and that will shine in your application.
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