Embarking on the college application journey in the US is an exciting and potentially confusing chapter for students and families. A common question that often surfaces is whether extracurricular activities should align with your intended major? In this blog post, we’ll delve into the complexities of the U.S. college application process, shedding light on the holistic approach, dispelling myths, and offering practical insights to guide you through this crucial aspect of your application.

Holistic Application Review

In the United States, the college admissions process, including the widely used Common Application (CommonApp), adopts a holistic approach. This entails colleges considering an array of factors beyond academic achievements, examining every facet of your profile. The CommonApp, a standard application for many U.S. colleges, serves as a useful baseline to talk about how activities can play a part in an application.

No One-Size-Fits-All Formula

A common misconception about activities revolves around the belief that there is a specific formula for the ideal mix of activities (i.e. colleges are looking for 2 sports, 3 leadership, 2 community service, etc.). The reality is that there’s no one-size-fits-all formula, or that colleges have a checklist they go through when reviewing an application. Balance among activities can happen, but it’s not required, expected, or even advantageous. The emphasis should be on activities that genuinely bring you joy and that you are interested in. I have witnessed countless students experience completely unnecessary stress about activity list misconceptions, and the result is often to diminish the strength of an application. Your unique blend of interests and contributions is what sets you apart in the eyes of college admissions officers, and should be celebrated.

Emphasis on Enjoyment and Contribution

Rather than conforming to stereotypical ideas of activities that ‘look good’ on paper (ex. NHS chapters existed at my former schools, and the widely held belief among students was that to go to an ivy, you had to be an NHS member……not true at all, and I can say with confidence that many of the students involved with NHS had no interest in tutoring/helping students to understand their coursework more deeply), the key is to engage in activities that genuinely interest you. Whether it’s sports, service, arts, or other pursuits, participating in what you love not only showcases authenticity but also contributes to a more enriching high school experience. Giving back to your community and school is a valuable aspect that colleges appreciate and find refreshing.

Diverse Ways to Showcase Involvement

Contrary to misconceptions, you don’t need to hold traditional leadership roles to demonstrate involvement. Numerous avenues exist to contribute, from participating in clubs and organizations to volunteering for local initiatives. Colleges value contributions that highlight your unique strengths and interests.

Summer School University/College Programs

This will be dealt with in a more detailed separate blog post, but I want to take a moment to mention that while summer programs designed for high school students at colleges and universities can certainly be interesting and eye opening, they are by no means necessary. I am frequently asked by parents and students, and with a tone of anxiety in their voices, if attending a program at a particular university will boost chances of admission, and the answer is no.

Practical Tips for Activity Descriptions

Given the limited space on the CommonApp to discuss each activity, being concise and impactful is essential. You have a brief space for the type of activity, position, organization name, and only 150 characters to describe the activity. Focus on highlighting your role, the impact you made, and any relevant skills developed. This limited format also means that massive ‘passion projects’ simply aren’t practical – you won’t have enough space to talk about everything you might want to.

Key Considerations

Genuine Interest

Choose activities that genuinely interest you. Authenticity shines through in your application, making a more compelling case to admissions officers.

Love of Learning and Curiosity

Showcase your love of learning and curiosity about the world. This can be demonstrated through academic pursuits, independent projects, or exploration of unique interests.

Curriculum model

If you are an IBDP student, you are obligated to have activities from different areas, but even with these parameters, it is possible to develop a great list of activities unique to you.