American institutions also consider things like creativity, leadership and interest in social work in addition to their grade point average (GPA) and standardized test scores while granting admission to students. Universities want to understand what kind of extracurricular activities the student has done. Therefore, if your marks are low then you do not need to worry, because if you take care of some special things then you will easily get admission in American institutions.
What is the importance of extracurricular activities?
During admission in American universities, special attention is given to marks as well as extracurricular activities. This thing is taken utmost care during admission in Ivy League colleges. Extracurricular activities help admissions officers understand how a student is as a person. Is he/she capable of working in a team? Does he/she have leadership quality? Can he/she do time management? Is he/she eager to learn?
What things should you keep in mind while choosing an extracurricular activity?
If you want to take admission in an American university, then you should focus on extracurricular activities from now on. In case the marks are less then it is necessary to pay more attention to it, because with this you can get priority during admission in reputed institutes. Let us know what five things should be kept in mind while choosing an extracurricular activity.
Choosing extracurricular activities related to the course: During admission, American universities see which subject you are most interested in. If your activity matches the chosen subject then your chances of admission increase. For example, if you want to read English literature then you should be interested in blogging or writing. This will show the admissions officer that you are genuinely interested in studying English literature.
Having a specific pattern: A specific pattern should also be visible in extracurricular activities. For example, if your activities revolve around science, music, athletics or social service, it helps the admission officer understand what your interests and abilities are.
Select long-term activity: During admission, priority is given to those students who have done a particular activity for a long time. This shows that you are committed to it. You should avoid including too many short-duration activities in your resume, as this may make it seem like you are unable to concentrate on anything for long.
Extracurricular Activities with Leadership Role: The role of leadership in extracurricular activities is considered very important. If a student has started from being an ordinary member in a club or organization and has moved up to positions like treasurer or coordinator, then it shows his/her leadership abilities. This also shows how dedicated you have been to that institution.
Incorporating activities outside school: When applying to college, keep in mind that it’s not just extracurricular activities at school that count, but involvement with church, community groups, private music or dance classes, or sports teams. If you have all these things then you should mention it in your resume and apply. Such activities highlight your passion and leadership abilities.