With summer approaching, many high school students (and their parents) are considering how to spend their time off from school. While creating lasting memories is important, participating in activities that will strengthen college applications is also a priority. So, what kinds of extracurricular activities impress admissions officers at elite universities, and which ones don’t?
Let’s dive into it!
How Elite Colleges Weigh Extracurricular Activities
In the elite college admissions process, several factors come into play:
– Grades and rigor of coursework
– Competitiveness of the high school
– Test scores
– Letters of recommendation
– College essays
– Alumni interviews
– Applicant’s demographics
– Extracurricular activities
Among these, extracurricular activities are considered soft factors. They matter a lot, but they only come into play if the hard factors (grades and coursework) are strong. Elite colleges are looking for students who excel in one specific area rather than being well-rounded.
Singular Talent vs. Well-Roundedness
Gone are the days when being involved in multiple activities like sports, music, volunteering, and writing impressed admissions officers. Nowadays, elite colleges prefer students who have a singular talent — students who excel remarkably in one area. This could be an award-winning science researcher, a recruited athlete, or a young literary voice.
Why Singular Talent?
Elite colleges aim to create a well-rounded class with students who each bring a unique and high-level skill or talent. Most applicants present as well-rounded despite knowing that singular talent is more impressive. However, many students struggle to effectively showcase how they will make a significant impact in one specific area.
Time Commitment to Extracurriculars
Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000-hour rule from his book *Outliers* suggests that greatness requires extensive practice. When thinking about extracurricular activities, students should keep this in mind.
During the School Year
– 25 hours per week is a solid amount of time to devote to extracurriculars.
– It’s more effective to show a concentration in fewer activities rather than spreading out time evenly across many.
During the Summer
– 40 hours per week is a good amount of time to spend on extracurriculars since students aren’t attending school.
– This could be one intensive activity or a couple of activities adding up to 40 hours.
Avoid including unrelated activities (like sleeping hours at summer programs) as it appears insincere and privileged.
Presenting Extracurricular Activities to Colleges
When applying to colleges, students need to present their extracurriculars effectively:
The Common Application Activities Section
Students can list their ten most significant activities.
They have limited space:
– 50 characters for the position/leadership description
– 100 characters for the organization name
– 150 characters for a description of the activity
Students also need to detail the years of participation, hours per week, weeks per year, and if they plan to continue in college.
Optional Resume Uploads on College Supplements
Some colleges allow for an optional resume upload:
– Only include a resume if you have many significant activities that don’t fit in the activities section.
– Keep the resume to *one page*.
– Avoid repeating information already included in the Common Application.
Key Takeaways for High School Students
1. Focus on Depth Over Breadth: Excelling in a few key activities is more impressive than being involved in many.
2. Show Commitment: Demonstrate a significant time commitment to your primary activities.
3. Be Specific: Clearly convey your unique talent and how you will contribute to the college community.
4. Present Effectively: Use the Common Application efficiently and consider a resume only if necessary.
By honing a singular talent and presenting it effectively, students can strengthen their
applications and stand out to elite college admissions officers.
