It’s crucial for high school students, especially those in the ninth and tenth grades, to develop a game plan for the upcoming academic year, including how they will approach their extracurricular activities. Getting involved in extracurricular activities is crucial for college preparation, but frequently kids don’t understand why. We’re here to explain why extracurricular activities are important for college admissions.
Admissions staff consider a variety of factors when assessing college applications, including grades, test results, essays, and, yes, extracurricular activities. Students should think carefully and strategically about their extracurricular activities because it is one of the most significant “soft aspects” that universities take into account. Activities have more purposes than just making a favorable impression on admissions committees. In addition to looking good on paper, they also have a variety of advantages for students.
Enables students to discover and concentrate on their interests
Extracurricular activities do not exist exclusively so that students can have something to put on their resume to impress universities, despite what many students think (Bigfuture). Through extracurricular activities, students can become involved in organizations or projects that they are passionate about and learn lifelong skills that will help them succeed in high school, college, and beyond, like time management and organization. Students who participate in activities have the chance to more fully explore their interests, find new interests, and even rule out activities that they initially thought were interesting but turned out not to be a good fit. High school students, particularly freshmen and sophomores, should set aside time to investigate their interests to identify the pursuits for which they have the greatest enthusiasm and discover opportunities to make a difference.
Exhibits a specialty
To create a specialization, students need to investigate and narrow their interests—something colleges look for when creating a well-rounded class. One approach to building a specialty is through primary education dissertation topics. For instance, a student interested in STEM can attend math and science courses to better grasp the subject, but taking part in STEM-related extracurricular activities is another option to expand on that knowledge and experience. A few activities related to your area of interest can go a long way toward showcasing your specialty to colleges, which are once again aiming to establish a well-rounded class made up of specialists.
Demonstrates initiative and leadership
Academically, students face several difficulties that occasionally obstruct their path to achievement (BAW, 2022). Colleges aren’t just looking for kids with a niche who are academically talented. Additionally, they are seeking students who will influence the campus. They seek out visitors who will make an impact on their school and change the atmosphere for the better. This means that applicants who have shown initiative and/or leadership in other areas of their lives, sometimes through extracurricular engagement, are frequently sought after by admissions authorities.Â
Find ways to show leadership once you choose certain pursuits that you truly love and that fit with your primary interests. This could be campaigning for club president, setting up a fundraising campaign, or just working behind the scenes to make sure everything your activity involves operates properly. Leadership and initiative come in many forms, not just having a certain title or position, so get creative with ways to become a leader and make an impact.
Enables students to express themselves outside of the classroom
High school students shouldn’t be expected to be academic automatons who spend all of their time on homework, assignments, studying, taking management dissertation help, and other academic activities. The learners are people and individuals with a wide range of interests, some of which are not necessarily academic. Students have a platform to express themselves outside of the classroom through extracurricular activities. Students can participate in endeavors that provide them delight, difficulties, social stimulation, and more through activities like sports, art, music, volunteering, and more. Learners can take a vacation from the pressures of high school academics and recharge by engaging in activities they truly like. They may also be able to meet new people and take part in activities that they otherwise might not have. Participating in activities that make kids happy and fulfilled can improve their mental health and general well-being.
Colleges will inquire about extracurricular activities in various ways.
As we said before, extracurricular activities don’t solely exist to dazzle college admissions staff, but it’s vital to remember that colleges will inquire about your extracurricular engagement on applications – frequently in more ways than one. Students can describe the extracurricular activities they took part in throughout high school and the contributions they made in a portion of the Common Application devoted to their activity lists.
In their school-specific supplements, colleges may also include questions on extracurriculars, frequently in the form of an activity essay. The question about how students plan to pursue particular hobbies or activities while they are on campus may also be asked by schools. Colleges will inquire about students’ extracurricular activities in a variety of ways, so students must explore their interests early on, pick a few that they enjoy, and participate in those activities for the entire four years of high school.
Participation in extracurricular activities is crucial to both the college application process and student’s overall high school experience. Our staff of knowledgeable counselors at IvyWise works closely with students to identify and nurture their interests, including recommending extracurricular activities that will help them stand out when they apply to colleges and truly delight them. No of where your student is in the college preparation process, get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help them better explore their interests and hobbies.
How to Begin Extracurricular Activity Participation
Starting extracurricular activities as soon as feasible in high school is good. This demonstrates a sustained dedication and allows you to acquire maybe club leadership positions, which look fantastic on college applications. Therefore, it’s never too late to start participating in extracurricular activities.
You can start looking for things to do by:
- joining organisations or groups that your friends are members of looking for possibilities on your school’s website
- contacting neighborhood institutions like a church, community center, or town hall
- visiting the websites of large organizations, such as the YMCA, the Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts, or Junior Achievement
- visiting your local community college or looking for specific classes online
ReferencesÂ
Bigfuture. Extracurriculars Matter — To You and Colleges. https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/plan-for-college/college-prep/stand-out/extracurriculars-matter-to-you-and-to-colleges#:~:text=Participating%20in%20extracurricular%20activities%20like,you%20an%20offer%20of%20admission
BAW (2022). How Academic Help Providers Save the Students’ Future? https://bestassignmentwriter.co.uk/blog/how-academic-help-providers-save-the-students-future/
