Deepen your impact during high school
November 15th, 2022High school students often wonder how much extracurricular activities matter in the college application process. While nothing eclipses the importance of academic accomplishments, getting a glimpse of the activities you take part in or lead over the course of your high school career helps colleges get to know you better. Admission committees want to understand who you truly are beyond courses, grades and test scores.
Being intentional with your time outside the classroom can have a big impact on your own life and the lives of those around you. Try first to identify your interests. What are you passionate about? What are your talents? What have you found especially rewarding to do? Then consider how you can utilize that information to engage in extracurriculars and community service more meaningfully. This reflection is especially beneficial for students in ninth, tenth and eleventh grades, who have time to deepen their footprint in both school and community, yet it’s good advice for students of all ages.
Engaging outside of the classroom leads to better time management, real-world skills like teamwork and leadership, and often new friendships. Is there benefit for college admission? Certainly, especially if you’re bringing positive change to the world around you. But your growth and development are paramount. Make meaningful choices, and good things will follow!
The US News article linked below gives a breakdown on how colleges view extracurricular activities.
Article referenced below from US News, written by Tiffany Sorensen, published on May 2, 2022.
How Colleges Weigh High School Extracurriculars
As every college applicant knows, admissions offices look at extracurricular activities as one of the many factors that go into admissions decisions.
But just how those extracurriculars are considered is much less understood. Is it better to be involved in as many activities as possible to show that you’re a well-rounded applicant, or do schools want to see commitment, focus and leadership? Which activities are more prestigious? Are school-based activities more valuable than those in the community?
Let’s break down how colleges look at extracurricular activities on applications.
