What can you do about weak extracirrulcars?
I read another post where you disclosed that you have a challenging domestic situation. Colleges will always appreciate and respect the fact that some students cannot participate in many after-school activities for valid personal reasons. If you and your counselor can explain some of your situation eloquently, it should compensate for any other shortcomings.
What’s the issue exactly? Often students are spread too thin - they’ve dabbled in lots of things and failed to really engage in anything. Or they’ve spent their time chasing so-called ‘leadership roles’ that demonstrate popularity but have little substance. Or they’ve spent big dollars to do bogus ‘international volunteering’ experiences which most AdComs read as ‘all sizzle an no steak.’ Or they are doing things they don’t much care about in order to impress some fictional admin committee. Or sometimes they are doing something important but don’t give themselves enough credit - like working to help pay the bills or care for siblings when parents are absent.
The goal of ECs is to find those things that really interest you deeply. Then invest your intelligence and creativity in those activities so that you achieve a level of mastery and a depth of understanding, such that you can contribute in a meaningful way and which gives you a perspective that classwork alone wouldn’t provide. Whether they look good or not, constitute leadership or not, involve some external validation (like awards or certifications) or not, is not the important point. And if you are one of those who needs to help out at home or earn money, that too will be considered an important EC by savvy adcoms.
Maybe start up a Spelling Club.
LOL extracirrulcars…I’m dying
But anyways… at most colleges, I think extracurriculars don’t matter at all (an expert can correct me if I’m wrong). GPA and test scores are more important. Also, if you need to work, then do that rather than doing some resume padder without passion.
@ayprcwbjmy - ECs matter at most schools, but obviously less than GPA and test scores, in most cases.
I disagree. ECs matter at only a handful of schools, and even for those that do care for them, unless your EC is of a national level celebrity or athletic recruit, never more important than grades, transcript rigor and scores.
But this isn’t just about looking good for admissions. It’s true that many schools don’t care. But weak ECs are about a missed opportunity to explore beyond the classroom, gain skills that school doesn’t teach, interact with people who are different. Weak ECs matter because you are short-changing yourself.
It depends on what the EC’s are and how you are involved with them. They don’t matter that much in comparison to GPA and test scores and course rigor, but they still are a factor. Can you elaborate more on the situation?
Thank you. I am not experiencing things. N’s Mom you are sharing my concern.
You’re busy taking care of siblings, right? Can you build on that by doing stuff with them and helping with tutoring them? Make your role at home an active one rather than just being there in the house, and if you’re already doing that, write about it.