university admission essay

university admission essay

The Importance of Extracurricular Activities in University Admission

1. The Role of Extracurricular Activities in University Admission

Due to the competitive nature of university admission, it is fair to say that extracurricular activities are no longer optional. Unfortunately, the days when a student could be judged based on GPA and entrance exam scores are no more. Universities are looking for the well-rounded individual and this means that students need to have a wider scope of activities to be considered favorable for admission. University officials are realistic and realize that during one’s academic career, there will be a certain amount of stress and frustration. Therefore, they want students who are able to handle the pressure and still maintain a positive attitude in all aspects of life. Through extracurricular activities such as sports, music, art, and debate, students can display leadership, work ethic, passion, creativity, and the ability to work as a team player. Admission officials also favor students who have shown long-term dedication to an activity and its goals; this shows commitment, responsibility, and loyalty, all of which are favorable characteristics in the university’s eyes. Such examples could involve a student who has reached a high level in a sport and gone on to coach younger children, or a musician who has performed in various bands and solo performances over the years. This displays a student’s willingness to go beyond their own needs and spend their time helping others, a trait that is admirable and respected. In a recent study, it has been found that “University Tuition Fees Increase the Value of Leadership and Extracurricular Participation,” whereby the respondents (university students) linked a greater emphasis on leadership ability and basic participation to an increase in tuition fees. This indicates that the higher cost of education is allowing students to realize the importance of leadership and participation, thus causing them to engage in more extracurricular activities to show these skills.

2. How Extracurricular Activities Showcase Well-Roundedness

It’s important to note what it means for a person to be well-rounded in the context of the college admission process. College admission officers are looking to see if a student will be a contributor to the college and if the student will be successful after he graduates. They are looking for students who will leave their mark on the college. There are very few well-rounded students who are unsuccessful. Students involved in many activities are usually quite good at managing their time since they are able to maintain good grades while participating in several different activities. These students are also able to adapt to new situations; a person who jumps from chess club to track to drama and finally to community service is a person who can adapt to many different social environments. Admission officers recognize this and realize that well-rounded students are more likely to be successful in the future. This all contributes to the idea that well-rounded students are good “investments” for the college.

First, we must define “well-roundedness.” Most people know that it is a term used to describe a person who is involved in many activities. It is a trait that is much sought after by those in the college admission process and in the business world. A well-rounded person has many different interests and has been successful in several different areas. Being a well-rounded person is also an indicator of leadership potential and ability to adapt to new environments.

3. The Impact of Extracurricular Activities on Personal Growth

Type of important are the characteristics students develop during the activities. Initiative, leadership, persistence, responsibility, and cooperation are just a few of the traits that students will try to gain during interest in an activity. The student who is a scared, insecure individual might find that becoming involved in activities actually boosts his self-confidence. A student who holds some part-time employment is most likely learning excellent time management and effective work habits. For him, work may be what activities are for other students. The fruits of his labor and development of skills will be a valuable experience but his main goal will be to earn money to support himself. He will be judged by his potential employers on the same or very similar criteria as students who are involved in activities which will have little bearing upon their future careers. This is a great example from the start, which is today perceived as a strictly vocational interest while it was an educational and developmental experience with the goal of preparing a well-rounded person to enter society.

Even more important are the accomplishments derived from the extracurricular activities. These can be expressed in a quantity of ways, and the useful result might not be immediately obvious. However, the true cost of the activity lies in what the scholar puts into it and takes from it. A student’s investment in activities that she cares about will reward her many times over. A student involved in an intense but smooth ballet class who discovers that she truly loves it and wants to focus on it can decide to stop her really-so-so music lessons to free time for personal practice. Another student might realize that she isn’t interested in pursuing a career in journalism after several fulfilling years at the school newspaper. These students have learned something important about themselves. The first has learned dedication to a goal and the discipline required to achieve it. The second has learned where her interests lie not to mention a valuable skill. Both have increased their vision of what they can do.

4. Demonstrating Leadership Skills through Extracurricular Involvement

Specifically, leadership is always built upon a vision. It is the vision which motivates one to act. This vision must be the leader’s own, but it is often developed through a mentor. Effective leaders require a mental picture of an end result, and it is the leader’s ability to communicate this image to others in a way which motivates them to act that is often the key to successful leadership. Lastly, leadership involves taking responsibility. Usually, this means taking responsibility for one’s self and one’s actions, but often a leader must take responsibility for the actions of others. If young people are to learn these things, they must be given responsibility. The community must show faith in them and let them make decisions and take initiative, knowing that they might make mistakes. A part-time job generally involves the highest degree of responsibility for a young person, and these individuals are often sought after by employers for unskilled labor positions. A part-time job, without question, is an extracurricular activity, and it is generally performed by students who are trying to support themselves through tertiary education. In identifying these students, universities have a very specific indication of potential leaders.

It cannot be emphasized enough that leadership skill development is no longer an option for young people in today’s society. At one time, leadership development may have been seen as extracurricular, but today it is part of the curriculum. Society faces a unique challenge. While it comes to terms with unprecedented leadership gap, young Australians are over-led and under-taught. Throughout this country, there is a quiet crisis of inexperience. It is not that there are not enough leaders, there are not enough capable and experienced leaders. Today’s grim shortage of experienced leaders is a serious threat to Australia’s future. The only answer is to prepare more people for leadership early on. It is important for universities to identify students who have the potential to be tomorrow’s leaders and nurture their development. This process begins by looking at successful leadership, and it is at this point that extracurricular involvement becomes extremely advantageous.

5. Conclusion: The Power of Extracurricular Activities in University Admission

– Personal Growth and Maturity Admissions officers seek to admit students who possess a wide range of abilities, background, and experiences. They believe that the most engrossing and telling applicants are multifaceted in their interests. Extracurricular activities help bring such dimensions to an applicant. Involvement in clubs, sports, and volunteer work show that you are well-rounded and have a variety of interests. They also help convey that you are a motivated and dedicated student who is willing to work for the things that you believe in.

– Leadership Extracurricular activities help develop leadership skills. Many admissions officers are interested in leadership activities as well as other extracurricular activities. This is because they want to admit the future leaders of society.

When preparing a tasty meal, one uses various elements to make the dish stand out, to have it be the best that it can be. Such is the same with extracurricular activities. In many ways, extracurricular activities make a college application stand out. They help create an interesting picture of who you are as a student and show what you can bring to the college community. The reasons that extracurricular activities are considered an important part of your college application are numerous, and here we will explore a few of the more important ones.