Hey guys! I've been hearing about different tiers of extracurricular activities for college applications. Can anyone give me some examples of 'tier 2' extracurriculars? Also, do you think it's worth it to focus on these activities, or should I prioritize spending my time on other things? Curious to hear your thoughts!
Hello! I'm glad you're interested in learning more about extracurricular activity tiers. Tier 2 extracurriculars are those that showcase high levels of achievement and leadership but are not as rare as Tier 1 activities. Here are some examples of Tier 2 activities:
1. Student body president
2. State orchestra member
3. Top 10 tennis player in the state
4. A lead role in a major regional theater production
5. Founder and leader of a successful non-profit organization that impacts the local community
These activities demonstrate strong commitment, leadership, and abilities in their respective areas, but don't reflect quite as much accomplishment as, say, being a top 10 tennis player in the country, which would be a Tier 1 activity. If you want to read more about the distinction between the two tiers, you can do so on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/breaking-down-the-4-tiers-of-extracurricular-activities.
Regarding whether to focus on Tier 2 activities or not, it's important to consider a few factors. First, if your current extracurriculars align with your interests and strengths, it makes sense to continue with them and try to progress towards achieving leadership positions or awards if possible. The key is to demonstrate dedication, passion, and a high level of involvement in what you do, not just check boxes.
If, however, you aren't particularly interested in your current extracurriculars, it might make more sense to find ones you're more passionate about before fully committing to them. Extracurriculars can help you develop a "spike" or highly-developed specialty in one area or a few related areas that helps set you apart from even other talented applicants. So, you want to be sure that the activities you're pursuing genuinely reflect who you are and what you have to offer a college.
In summary, prioritizing Tier 2 activities can be beneficial if they align with your interests, highlight your strengths, and help you develop a unique academic or extracurricular profile. Good luck!
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