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Choose the Right Extracurriculars at the Right Time for College Applications

August 12th, 2015

While it’s back to school for many students this week, we thought extracurriculars might be on your minds at the start of the school year. Author Brian Witte wrote an article for US News that correctly points out the importance of matching extracurriculars with what students are passionate about. However, we think it is most important to keep that internal focus as opposed to thinking externally about what an admissions officer might want to see. We believe students need to develop their activities around personal growth, apply their strengths and improve their weaknesses in order to learn more about themselves as they prepare for college.

When meeting with students we say, “Don’t let the tail wag the dog!” In other words, if you spend all of your time wondering what might please an admission committee, you’ll miss out on marvelous opportunities to grow and change. By deepening involvement and leadership in activities of great interest, you’ll become a more interesting and capable individual, one who just might change the world around you. If that makes you a more intriguing applicant for college, summer programs, jobs and scholarships, well, that’s icing on the cake.

Article published August 18, 2014

By: Brian Witte

It is no secret that the extracurricular activities you pursue in high school can significantly affect your college admissions experience. But it’s true that not all activities are created equal, and some could have a disproportionate effect on your chances of getting accepted to your ideal college.

There are no specific extracurricular activities that will magically unlock the Ivy League gates or guarantee admission to a particular university. Competitive colleges and universities are besieged by academically strong students. What they desire are students who can contribute to the campus community.

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