uc admission essay

uc admission essay

The Importance of Extracurricular Activities in College Admissions

1. Introduction

The advantages of offering students high quality and diverse extracurricular activities are wide-ranging and well-documented. The effects of implementing structured or unstructured physical and constructive activities have long-term benefits. Jim Lord, a once head football coach for Dayton High School, defines extracurricular as any school activity sponsored by the school or school district. This includes different sports teams, clubs, and groups. Lord states, “Extracurricular activities provide a structured and nurturing environment, which is a good vehicle for this.” This statement encompasses the efficacy of extracurricular activities on many levels, and speaks to the positive outcomes on a child’s character, intelligence, and growth. Lord explains that the environment vice the home “is more able to getting a child to see a long term goal, and work through some challenges. It’s teaching delayed gratification, which is the biggest indicator of both success and intelligence.” The plethora of extracurricular activities available in schools also provides a venue where children can explore themselves, and discover what they truly enjoy. This search of self-discovery, when guided under the right direction becomes a set of lifelong skills or knowledge that the child wouldn’t have gained otherwise. An example of this is a person who becomes part of a chess club. Though he may not have succeeded, or grown to love chess in any other situation, to do it in an extracurricular activity that opened the door to greater things. This is an opportunity that all parents should aim to give to their child. There is no price on the self-growth and additional skills and knowledge that a child may attain from their involvement in extracurricular activities.

There are countless students who are obsessed with getting accepted to a top college or university in order to pursue the career of their dreams. They usually work very hard during high school, dedicating much of their time to studying and doing homework, in order to achieve their goal. While grades and test scores are definitely the most important factor in the college decision, colleges are also looking for students who have made a difference in their school or community. A student who has dedicated a large portion of their time to an extracurricular activity has shown commitment that goes above and beyond a student who just does the required work to get by. In order to make an impact on both a college and a student, extracurricular activities are very important.

2. Benefits of Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities are considered important because they can help with many different facets of a student’s development. They contribute to academic, emotional, social, and physical development. This is because the skills and real-world experiences that students obtain from activities like these are things that cannot be taught in a classroom. These are skills that make them more well-rounded when these students enter post-secondary education and, later, enter the workforce. While these activities can help virtually anyone seeking a post-secondary education, they are especially important for minority students with low-income backgrounds or disabilities, as participation can provide a smoother and positive transition into college. With college being more accessible than it has ever been, it is important for these students to do as much as possible to increase their probability of getting in and obtaining financial aid. College admissions boards and scholarship committees look highly upon any partaking in extracurricular activities, as it shows that these students are ready to make their community a better place and to make themselves better people. Students who demonstrate these sorts of characteristics are what academic institutions are looking for, so participation in these activities can continue to open many additional doors.

Overview of this essay: Additional possibilities are open to college-bound high school seniors who take part in extracurricular actions. The scholar looking to impress admissions officers is smart to involve himself in activities, clubs, and organizations that will show potential colleges that he is ready to contribute to the student body in a positive way. Not only did these activities help him maximize his high school experience, but they will make his transition into college a smoother one.

3. How Extracurricular Activities Impact College Admissions

One of the most overrated sections of college applications is the extracurricular activities section. The question of whether or not they really do have an effect on your college application is yes. It most definitely does. The majority of extracurricular activities often require the student to practice time management and prioritizing. Students who are involved in their community or school tend to be more disciplined and hardworking. This is a quality that a lot of colleges are seeking in their students. Typically, when students are involved in sports or any type of club, they tend to have a much healthier lifestyle and do better in school. This is a positive effect and colleges take notice of this. By choosing to pick activities that the student is truly interested in, this can show a student’s commitment. This is a good indication of how the student may apply themselves in college. If the student showed a high level of commitment in their activity, this can sometimes count as an advantage because they may have obtained some sort of leadership position in their activity. To sum it up, students that are involved in any type of extracurricular activity are more well-rounded. This is a quality that colleges seek.

4. Tips for Highlighting Extracurricular Involvement in UC Application

3. For military students or students who come from military families, there is a specific section on the application where you can indicate if you have completed any JROTC programs. If you have participated in JROTC throughout high school, it is an important part of your educational experience. Be sure that you make note of it in the Military section on the application.

2. Not all activities can be labeled as traditional, don’t be afraid to think outside of the box. If your activity takes place in an online community or is an independent study of something unique, there is a designated space on the application that allows you to provide information on up to five activities.

1. While filling out your application, you may discuss your involvement in a specific activity within the Personal Insight Questions. If you choose to write about a specific activity, be sure to elaborate on the impact of the activity and the efforts you made to excel in your role.

5. Conclusion

Admission is ever more competitive at those schools that provide the best education. US News reports the average acceptance rate at America’s top 50 universities at 21 percent. Although there are no expectations for candidates, you are taking a significant risk putting all your eggs into the college-prep course academic basket. Let us not forget two things. First, there is often an inverse relationship between risk and success. Second, the fact that AP classes are a type of “weight course” designed to fight grade inflation. Although your student may have all “A”s in “AP/IB/Weighted-Grade courses”, admissions may notice that taking regular classes would have resulted in higher GPA. Another benefit of participation in extracurricular activities is the development of pro-social behaviors. Children who participate in after school activities are able to develop pro-social behaviors because they are around others who are also engaging in the same activities. An article titled “The Impact of after school activities on the development of pro-social behaviors” states “While the majority of after-school activities usually involve games and socializing, there is also some downtime where the children can talk about what they have learned, talk about school, or events going on in the community and this also helps to develop social skills.