Hey fellow applicants, I've been working on strengthening my application and I noticed a lot of schools stress the importance of extracurricular activities. What exactly are they? And what kinds of extracurriculars do admissions officers look for?
Extracurricular activities are activities you participate in outside of your academic curriculum. These can range from school clubs, sports teams, volunteer work, hobbies, part-time jobs, or independent projects. The underlying idea is for these activities to showcase your skills, interests, and values that aren't necessarily reflected in your academics.
When it comes to what admissions officers look for, there is no definitive answer because it depends on the context of the applicant and the college. However, colleges often distinguish extracurriculars using a 4-Tier system:
1. Tier 1: Rare activities that show exceptional achievement or leadership at the national or international level. Winning a national or international award or being one of the best in the country at a particular activity falls in this tier.
2. Tier 2: Still significant but more common than Tier 1. These activities demonstrate high levels of achievement and leadership, like being student body president or a state-level athlete.
3. Tier 3: These activities highlight a student's interests but might lack the distinction of higher tiers. They could be things like being a leader of a club, being a member of National Honor Society, or serving as captain of a sports team.
4. Tier 4: The most common tier, these activities are most often seen by admissions committees. General club membership or volunteering fall into this category.
For more in-depth information on the 4 Tiers of Extracurriculars, check out this informative CollegeVine article: https://blog.collegevine.com/breaking-down-the-4-tiers-of-extracurricular-activities/
Remember, colleges value depth in a few activities over wide participation in many. Having a "spike," or a high level of specialization in a few areas, and demonstrating leadership or initiative in these areas often stands out. Furthermore, your activities should reflect your interests and who you are. Admissions officers can usually tell if applicants are doing things just for the sake of the application. Authenticity goes a long way!
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