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Extracurriculars

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What are considered prestigious activities in high school when applying for college?

Hey everyone! Just trying to plan out my extracurriculars for next year, and I'm wondering what the most prestigious high school activities are? I want to really shine on my college apps. Appreciate any advice!

a year ago

When it comes to extracurricular activities in high school, colleges observe them under different tiers, with Tier 1 and Tier 2 being the most prestigious.

Tier 1 activities include those that demonstrate massive achievements at the national or even international level. Some examples could be winning a national award like the Congressional Art award, being ranked as one of the top competitors in the country in sports or other competitions, or winning an Olympiad in your chosen subject.

Tier 2 activities are slightly more common than Tier 1 activities but still highlight significant accomplishments and leadership. Such activities could be holding a significant leadership position in your school such as the student body president, being part of a state-level group like an orchestra or debate team, or being the top performer in the state for certain sports.

That being said, don't just do an activity because it's prestigious. It's important to choose activities related to what you're passionate about or want to study in college. Active engagement, consistent involvement, and demonstrating personal growth and leadership are key points that colleges look for in their applicants.

Lastly, remember, the quality of your involvement is more important than quantity. Being deeply committed to a few activities where you can display growth, leadership, and initiative is a lot more impressive to colleges than superficial involvement in numerous activities. Good luck planning out your extracurriculars!

a year ago

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