Howdy ya'll. I've been giving it a lot of thought and I'm considering getting into some more intensive high school activities. Not just for fun, I've heard they can make my college application look better. Can anyone provide some advice on this or suggest some intensive high school activities that colleges usually appreciate?
Hello there! You're definitely heading in the right direction. In the college admissions process, extracurricular activities can be a determining factor and act as a tiebreaker between two students with similar academic profiles.
As you consider more involved activities, remember that colleges are looking for depth over breadth, meaning long-term commitment and a significant level of achievement in a few activities can be more impactful than a laundry list of random clubs or extracurriculars.
Regarding suggestions, it depends a bit on your interests and potential career goals, though certain activities are universally impressive. Here are the 4 Tiers of Extracurriculars according to CollegeVine:
1. Tier 1: Rare activities that show exceptional achievement or leadership at the national or international level, like winning a national award or being an international athlete.
2. Tier 2: These activities still showcase high levels of achievement. Think of positions like student body president, earning a place in a state orchestra, or being a top-ranked state athlete.
3. Tier 3: These still highlight your interests but are seen more commonly on applications. Holding a leadership role in a club or being a sports team captain fall into this category.
4. Tier 4: The most common, like general club membership or general volunteering.
If you are considering more 'intensive' activities, you could consider aiming for achievements and positions that fall into the Tier 1 and 2 categories. For example, if you love debating, consider organizing a citywide debate competition, or if you have a passion for community service, you could start a service project that makes a significant impact in your community.
Remember, the goal is to stand out and show colleges that you have pursued your passions outside the classroom and made significant contributions to your community or field of interest. Good luck!
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