Do Colleges Care About Co-Curricular Activities?
The single most important thing that colleges consider when looking at your application package are your grades. If you have a proven track record of being a strong student, then they will look at what else you have to offer their university. That’s when a look at your extra-curricular activities factor into their decision process. It doesn’t matter if you end up being a leader or a strong team-player behind the scenes, but get out there and find something you can get excited about. Then, stick with it! Here are some suggestions on where to start:
1. Look around at school. Even if you’ve been playing tennis on the school team for years, allow yourself to evolve into new areas as well. Do you like photography? Chess? French? There are probably clubs or activities for just about anything that interests you.
2. Work. Getting a job will benefit you twofold. Obviously, a paycheck is nice. But don’t overlook unpaid internships to get a look into a field that you’re interested in. By working, you’ll be showing that you can take the basic principals that you’ve learned in school and applied it to the real world.
3. Help others. Charity work is good for the soul and it allows you to spend time with the kinds of people you feel strongly about. Are you drawn to the elderly? Spend time at your local nursing home and help out where you are needed. You’ll feel good about yourself and likely cheer someone else up at the same time.
Doing one extra activity is good, but if you’re lucky enough to find a couple of things that you can be excited about you should do so. Just make sure that your top priority is keeping your grades up and then get out there and spread your wings.
Admissions directors are looking for students who have made a commitment and demonstrated passion for an activity. They want to diversify their student body and are looking for a group of interesting incoming freshman. They want to see you as an individual, and what you choose to do with your time goes a long way toward defining you.
Thomas Burke assists working adults in selecting online colleges and online degree programs.
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Alisha
One comment
Cas Spaulding on November 15, 2009 at 11:44 am
Good article.. there are more tips for constructing an effective college application resume at http://www.celebrationideasonline.com/college-application-activity-sheet.html Yes, it is important that the admissions department learns more about you than just what a transcipt shows. The essay and resume are important components for many admissions department in making their acceptance or rejection decisions.