How Important is Extra Curricular Activities for top tier Engineering Schools?

International Students
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<p>I just wanted to know sth, its about ECs(non academic)…By saying non academic I mean activities like Sports,Volunteering or social service,Musical shows,Debate,Inter or Intra school competition(Elocution,Theatre activities,Child welfare activities,Dramatics or Public Speaking,Literature related writings…teaching…Environmental awareness …etc…etc…)
I know these things are important as life sounds dull without these activities…And that they are equally important for us to learn to live.
I’m not talking about LACs…BUT!..</p>

<p>How important are these if one wishes to pursue pure science or Engineering??</p>

<p>I am asking this because I see many of them just trying to get into these activities just for the sake of college apps…At least that happens in my country…How does that help a student??..I wonder how does that help a student who wants to major in engineering?A student who just does it because its required for college Apps…Can’t other sorts of ECs substitute these?..(Other sorts like activities conducted to explore one’s desire,which may not dazzle others,nor does those activities bring any welfare to anyone else or to the community )…I know I’m asking a lame question but still…Guys I just want some views…</p>

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<p>For top engineering schools (e.g. MIT or Stanford), it is considered important. The thing is that you have to recognize that they get so many applications for each place (MIT and Stanford have acceptance rates of ~10% domestically, and ~5% for internationals) that they don’t need to choose between a kid with great scores and little ECs, and a kid with good ECs but weaker scores. They just admit the kid with great scores and good ECs.</p>

<p>Of course, if you have a significant achievement on the national/international level (I am talking about things like International Mathematics Olympiad gold medalist), then that is something different altogether.</p>