It’s no secret that academic scores have long dominated the landscape of university admissions. European universities have long looked at students’ grades as a primary criterion for admission, while American universities have utilized SAT scores as a fundamental measure since the 1940s. However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable shift away from the sole emphasis on scores. With an increasingly competitive pool of applicants, the question arises: how does one truly stand out in the admissions process?
Currently, one of the main differences between the admissions process in the UK and the US is the holistic approach that American admissions officers take to considering each student’s merits. Part of the holistic approach is a genuine interest in applicants’ extracurricular activities.
In the US, extracurricular activities hold nearly equal importance as academic achievements. Admission officers keenly assess how candidates’ activities align with their campus culture and community. In the UK and Europe, academic scores still remain a deciding factor, with offers predominantly based on predicted grades. However, amidst fiercely competitive applicant pools, where near-perfect scores are commonplace, extracurricular achievements will become a crucial distinguishing factor between students.
While interest is the most important factor in deciding which activities to pursue, it doesn’t hurt for students to look at their list of activities strategically. Here are five things universities are looking for in a prospective student’s extracurricular activities:
- Leadership
- Impact
- Commitment
- Significance
- Summer Breaks
The teenage years are transformative – a time for honing talents and exploring interests, as well as physical, emotional and social development. With this in mind, I encourage students to participate in a rich and diverse program of extracurricular activities that shape their interests and consecutively prepare them for the university application process in any chosen system.
For more personalized guidance and support with your university application journey, contact me to discuss how I can provide tailored assistance to help you navigate the application process.
Beyond Academic Scores: How to Make Your University Application Stand Out Through Extracurriculars
It’s no secret that academic scores have long dominated the landscape of university admissions. European universities have long looked at students’ grades as a primary criterion for admission, while American universities have utilized SAT scores as a fundamental measure since the 1940s. However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable shift away from the sole emphasis on scores. With an increasingly competitive pool of applicants, the question arises: how does one truly stand out in the admissions process?
Currently, one of the main differences between the admissions process in the UK and the US is the holistic approach that American admissions officers take to considering each student’s merits. Part of the holistic approach is a genuine interest in applicants’ extracurricular activities.
In the US, extracurricular activities hold nearly equal importance as academic achievements. Admission officers keenly assess how candidates’ activities align with their campus culture and community. In the UK and Europe, academic scores still remain a deciding factor, with offers predominantly based on predicted grades. However, amidst fiercely competitive applicant pools, where near-perfect scores are commonplace, extracurricular achievements will become a crucial distinguishing factor between students.
While interest is the most important factor in deciding which activities to pursue, it doesn’t hurt for students to look at their list of activities strategically. Here are five things universities are looking for in a prospective student’s extracurricular activities:
- Leadership
- Impact
- Commitment
- Significance
- Summer Breaks
The teenage years are transformative – a time for honing talents and exploring interests, as well as physical, emotional and social development. With this in mind, I encourage students to participate in a rich and diverse program of extracurricular activities that shape their interests and consecutively prepare them for the university application process in any chosen system.
For more personalized guidance and support with your university application journey, contact me to discuss how I can provide tailored assistance to help you navigate the application process.