What are extracurricular activities?
These activities can range from sports, clubs, volunteering, music, and other pursuits that interest the student.
In recent years, extracurricular activities have become an essential component of applications. Colleges and universities view them as a way to evaluate the holistic development of a student.
This blog aims to shed light on the benefits of extracurricular activities in college applications and provide tips on how to maximize their impact.
The many benefits of participating in extracurricular activities
Extracurricular activities allow students to showcase their unique strengths, talents, and interests that may not be evident through academic performance alone.
Students who are involved in such activities demonstrate their time management skills, and ability to balance their academic and extracurricular commitments.
They also help to show their social involvement and leadership qualities.
Extracurricular activities also help students to develop interpersonal skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
In fact, research has shown that participation in extracurricular activities can enhance academic performance, as they provide a balance to the academic workload and foster a sense of community and engagement.
Regardless of what they do, being involved in any kind of activity other than the curriculum enriches students’ experiences and skills.
What kind of activities can students engage in?
There are many types of extracurricular activities that students can participate in, ranging from academic to professional pursuits.
Academic activities include clubs related to specific subjects such as math, science, and humanities. Sports activities may include team sports as well as individual sports. Artistic activities include bands, choirs, drama, and visual arts clubs.
Volunteer activities allow students to give back to the community.
Finally, professional activities like internships, and business or entrepreneurship clubs help students to gain experience and network in their desired career fields.
How do students select extracurricular activities?
#1: First and foremost, students must assess their personal interests and passions. Engaging in activities that align with their liking can lead to a more fulfilling and enjoyable experience.
Authenticity is most important.
#2: The students must be clear with their priorities. It's essential to choose activities that fit into their schedule and won't compromise their academic performance.
#3: Students should also explore activities that align with their career goals. For example, if they want to get into a programming field, they can join coding clubs or participate in hackathons.
#4: They must show a consistent level of commitment and active participation in their chosen activities. Admissions officers look for long-term commitment, rather than sporadic involvement in many activities.
What kind of extracurricular activities do highly selective colleges look for?
Rather than seeking applicants with superficial engagement in numerous activities, colleges value focused dedication to fewer pursuits.
They encourage students to delve deeply into a subject, invest substantial time and effort, and leverage this experience to propel themselves toward impactful careers that can shape the world.
Here are a few suggestions that can help you stand out:
At Revadmissions:
- I'm deeply and personally involved in the entire process, from initial meetings to post-admission support.
- I work with a limited number of students to offer personalized attention and provide guidance tailored to each student's unique needs, strengths, and aspirations.
- I bring coaching tools into my practice so it can be a journey of growth for my students.
- I monitor their applications and essays closely to ensure my students present their best selves to colleges.
- My goal is to help each student realize their unique potential and get accepted to colleges that are the right fit for them.
- My aim is not only to direct them to best-match colleges but also to groom these young minds for a bright future.
If you would like to discuss more, please write to revadmissions@gmail.com.