Hi everyone! As someone deeply involved in Latin and ancient history, I've been participating in certamen competitions throughout high school. I'm wondering if college admissions officers are familiar with certamen and how they view it. Does involvement in these kinds of academic competitions make a strong impression on applications? How should I highlight my certamen experience when applying to colleges? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Absolutely, certamen, especially at higher levels, can be a unique and impressive extracurricular. Admissions officers consider diverse types of involvement when evaluating apps. Your participation in certamen demonstrates intellectual curiosity and commitment to a specific subject, and it can show that you'll actively contribute to the campus community.
When describing your certamen experiences on your application, make sure to clarify what it is and why it's important to you in the activities section. You might describe its quiz-bowl style format, focusing on classics and Latin, and how it's shaped your understanding or love for these subjects.
Additionally, showcase the skills and qualities you've cultivated through certamen. Have you developed leadership, teamwork abilities, or public speaking skills? Did you plan and organize events around it? Do demonstrate dedication and resilience? These interpersonal and character-building traits can be just as impressive to colleges as the competition itself.
You could also consider incorporating your certamen involvement into your essays if they align well with the prompts. For instance, if there's a prompt about your intellectual interests or times you've overcome a challenge, discussing certamen could provide rich material. Through your essays, you can convey your passion for Latin and classics, the joy you find in collaborating with your team, or how certamen has influenced your academic goals.
In sum, involvement in academic competitions such as certamen can be a compelling part of your application. The key is presenting it in a way that highlights your dedication, skills, and intellectual vitality.
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