From your high school teachers to your parents, everyone stresses the importance of extracurricular activities and their benefits. But how exactly do they help your college application?
College admissions are highly competitive. Sometimes a good academic record just isn’t enough to get you accepted, especially into some of the top-notch schools. This is where extracurricular activities can make the difference. They show the admissions officers another facet of your personality that your grades don’t reveal.
Here’s Why Extracurricular Activities Benefits Your College App
Colleges are not just looking for students who are academically gifted. They are looking for well-rounded students who will leave a lasting positive impact on campus.
Participating in extracurricular activities demonstrates that you’ve taken time to discover interests outside of the classroom. This shows initiative and tells the admissions officers that you are driven to something outside of academics. Students who are involved in extracurricular activities are also more likely to get involved in clubs and other campus activities. Colleges put great emphasis on this aspect.
How do They Help?
An extracurricular that lines up with your requested major will have an even greater impact. It shows that you have explored the major beyond the scope of the classroom and you’re still interested and committed to pursuing that field. It also demonstrates a greater self-awareness and maturity in the choices you are making. All of this makes it more likely that you will not change majors mid-way or drop out of college entirely.
Participating in extracurricular activities also establishes critical time-management and organizational skills. So many students use heavy high school coursework as an excuse for their lack of extracurricular experiences. The fact that you’ve managed to juggle both academic and extracurricular activities successfully proves that you’ve mastered both skills.
Your leadership skill is another facet of your personality that shines through when you get involved in extracurricular activities. Students with leadership skills are more likely to influence campus culture for the better. These are the students who leave a lasting impact on campus, which is something every college wants.
How Many Extracurricular Activities Do You Need To Impress A College?
When it comes to extracurricular activities quality matters more than quantity. Admissions authorities are not necessarily impressed by a laundry list of activities. One activity is good enough if you can highlight how it impacted your life in some way.
What’s equally important to know is that listing extraordinary extracurricular activities does not make up for poor grades. Ultimately, your grades and test scores are what matter most for getting into college. Everything else on your application works to support your academic performance.
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