The choice and importance of extracurricular activities in college
24 February, 2024 By: Admission
One of the frequently asked questions related to college entrance exams is what and how to do extracurricular activities. Admission Advisor experts say that there is no right answer to what extracurricular activities you should do, and that you should just do what you like and are good at. Ultimately, you need to show your uniqueness through extracurricular activities.
While thinking about what kind of career you want to have, you should also think about what kind of activities you want to shape yourself into. The secret to success in extracurricular activities is to find a field that you can focus on so much that you don't get tired of it and don't even notice how time flies.
Universities use students' extracurricular activities to understand various aspects of applicants, including their passion, talent, leadership, and influence. If you participate simply to fill out an application form, it doesn’t mean much. Learn about the selection and importance of extracurricular activities.
Motive must be clear
If you have a clear motive and reason for engaging in extracurricular activities, you can kill two birds with one stone: not only going to college but also getting a job. It is important that students grow and demonstrate their potential through extracurricular activities.
You have to have your own thoughts and find something that can clearly show your colors. Finding extracurricular activities is easier if you get help from a counselor, teacher, or parent rather than doing it on your own.
You must show who you are
College admission is not only determined by grades, but also includes all variables such as extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.
In particular, if you look at the extracurricular activities of students who have been accepted to prestigious universities, one thing they have in common is that they have clearly demonstrated who they are. Studying well is fundamental, and through extracurricular activities, a picture is drawn of what kind of personality the student has and what disposition he or she will have in the future.
There are numerous extracurricular activities, but there is a reason why you should choose and focus on what you are good at and like.
It should be helpful for your future career
It is necessary to look more broadly before engaging in extracurricular activities. Rather than engaging in extracurricular activities that are advantageous for going to college right away, if you engage in extracurricular activities that will really help your life and think about your future career, it will be good for going to college and will be of great help in choosing a career in the future.
Focus on quality rather than quantity
What extracurricular activities can I list on my college admissions application? It's so diverse. Sports include representing a school team, participating in a school sports club, or participating in a sports club outside of school.
Community service is broader and encompasses volunteer activities at a small scale in the local community, at a national scale, or overseas. Work experience is also applicable. This is a summer job or internship during the summer.
In the case of art, there are a wide range of fields such as visual arts, performing arts, comedy, and cooking, and hobbies such as blogging, movie clubs, and hiking are also considered extracurricular. Additionally, math or science clubs, participation in competitions, and research activities are classified as academic activities.
However, one thing to keep in mind when it comes to extracurricular activities is quality rather than quantity. It is important to know that the quality of extracurricular activities is so influential that it can change the direction of college admissions.
Extracurricular activity tips
Work with passion
Universities like passionate students. In fact, passion is very important not only in college but also in social life. Passion is what separates you from countless other applicants. When evaluating extracurricular activities, admissions officers usually consider how long the applicant has been devoted to the activity and how enthusiastically he or she participates. Extracurricular activities do not necessarily have to be related to your major, but doing something you like will determine your major.
Influence should not be ignored
Influence refers to creating something new through one's activities and having a positive impact on people around you. Many students think that universities are obsessed with the number of extracurricular activities, but focusing on even 1 or 2 activities shows greater passion than doing 5 or 6 passively. In addition, universities want to see the impact that student participation has on clubs, schools, and communities, and the changes it brings to students.
Shows sincerity
If you engage in extracurricular activities just to show off for the entrance exam, you will quickly run out. When you do volunteer work that appeals to you, you can maximize your results while continuing to do so for a long time. When you write an essay based on these experiences, you can move the hearts of admissions officers. In other words, which extracurricular activity you choose depends on your aptitude and taste, but it is important to show how you have contributed to society through it.
Shows ingenuity
It goes without saying that it is great if you show your ingenuity through extracurricular activities. Rather than worrying about which club to join, it is better to create and develop an organization or club that did not exist before. Many parents and students struggle with differentiation strategies in order to enter prestigious universities. The reality is that for most excellent students with close to perfect scores on academic grades and standardized academic achievement tests, it is not easy to enter a prestigious university unless they adopt differentiation strategies such as essays and extracurricular activities.
