When you apply to schools that offer holistic admissions or apply to a college using the Common Application, you will have to describe your participation in extracurricular activities. Your involvement in these activities has a lot of significance in the admission process. The admission officers look for the activities that show your dedication and passion.
The main things about extracurricular activities that impress colleges are:
Depth of Engagement
Colleges see how deeply involved the student has been in a particular activity. They prefer students who have taken an active part in a single extracurricular activity throughout the high school years instead of those who have participated superficially in many activities. For instance, students who have taken part in theater activities for four years receive preference over those who have done theater, yearbook, chorus, and debate one after the other for consecutive years. A student who is involved in the same activity for many years is more skillful in that field.
Here are some illustrations:
Activity: Drama Club
Good Enough: The student was a crew member in a play.
Better: The student performed minor roles in plays throughout high school (four years).
Impressive: The student moved from minor roles to significant roles during high school (four years) and directed a play for elementary school kids.
Activity: Soccer
Good Enough: In class 9 and 10, the student took part in JV soccer.
Better: In class 9, the student played JV soccer. In 10, 11, and 12 grades, the student played varsity soccer.
Impressive: The student played soccer throughout high school (four years) and was a top scorer, a team captain in the senior year, and was selected to join the All-State Team.
Align with the Expectations of the College
Colleges offer students an opportunity to participate in several sports, theater groups, student organizations, clubs, and musical ensembles. So they like to enroll students who have diverse interests and can be assets for them.
Exhibit Leadership Qualities
You can express your leadership qualities through extracurricular activities in various ways. You may design the setting for a play, be a section leader in your school band, organize a fundraiser, start a club for a particular activity, create a design for your group’s website, or hold a position in one of the student organizations.
Work Experience
If you do not have the time to participate in any extracurricular activity, you can give the details of your work experience in the application. Work experience gets equal importance when an admissions officer is evaluating your application. The things that make your work experience more impressive are – the awards you received for your work, the promotions you have garnered, and the innovative things you have done in your previous jobs.
Conclusion
Any activity like drama, dance, music, community service, yearbook, or even work experience that shows your passion, dedication, and leadership is significant. All these things can make your admissions application shine and improve your chances of getting admission into college.
