They are under the assumption that to maximise the chances of admission, students should have a balance of excellent grades and test scores, along with a perfect spread of activities and involvement in a wide range of areas.
While it’s certainly true that academics and test scores are the first hurdle students must jump over to become viable university candidates, the issue of extracurricular involvement is more complicated.
In the US, universities are happy to admit academically able students who excel in a smaller number of areas. Well-rounded people and a well-rounded class are two very different things. A university is interested in building a class of students with varied perspectives and passions. They need student journalists, leaders, athletes and musicians – but they don’t expect one individual student to be all of those things.
As a parent, help your children explore different activities and then let them settle on those they truly enjoy. Once they find their areas of interest, encourage them to join clubs and activities that relate to these areas. There is no need to overschedule and attempt to build a résumé in the name of well-roundedness or as a strategy for enhancing university admission.
Students who follow their passions can become a “big deal” in a couple of different areas. It doesn’t really matter whether that interest is in mastering the oboe, becoming a talented swimmer or providing service to the community. A side benefit to this approach is that your child (and your home) will be happier. A child forced to spend years practising an activity for which they have little interest is going to result in a home filled with adolescent angst.
Of course, if a student has multiple interests, it’s absolutely fine for all of them to be pursued. There is nothing wrong with being well-rounded instead of “angular”. But the reality is that it’s difficult to become a leader if students spread their time among a dozen different activities. Most successful university applicants have a relatively few number of extracurriculars that are somewhat related.
For the UK, if they are related in some way to the course to which the student is applying, even better.
Universities in most countries ask students to list their extracurricular involvement during the final four years of high school. Because of that, it is important that students find activities that interest them well before the end of high school. Doing that, while also having a good academic record and working with your school’s experienced university counsellor, can make the application process a smooth one.
Are there any activities students should avoid? Yes, there are a few. No university admission officer would be impressed with “Facebooking” as an extracurricular activity.
– Dale Ford
Dale Ford is one of two University Counsellors at British International School, Phuket. For more information, visit them at www.bisphuket.ac.th