Going the Extra Mile: Extracurricular Activities and College Admissions Quiz

1. I play sports, so it's okay if my GPA is a little weak.

True.
Better work on those grades! Although being involved in outside activities is important, extracurricular activities alone won't get you into the college of your choice. College admissions folks are still looking primarily for good grades, a quality curriculum (that means college-prep courses, not basket-weaving), and acceptable test scores.
False.
Right! A quality selection of college-prep courses, good grades, and strong standardized test scores are still the top criteria used by college admissions folks when they make admissions decisions. Being involved in outside activities is still very important even though activities alone won't get you into the college of your choice.

2. It will look better on my application if I volunteer at a homeless shelter than if I am a member of the drama club.

False.
Right! While community service-based activities are popular right now, colleges frown on a candidate who lists "all the right stuff" in order to appear to be the perfect candidate.
Admissions committees want to get a glimpse of the person behind the grades. They want to know what you've learned from your extracurricular experiences --not that you picked an activity because you thought it would impress them. You clearly know that you should just do what you really like to do--it's the best way to go.
True.
Not necessarily! While community service-based activities are popular right now, colleges frown on a candidate who lists "all the right stuff" in order to appear to be the perfect candidate.
Admissions committees want to get a glimpse of the person behind the grades. They want to know what you've learned from your extracurricular experiences --not that you picked an activity because you thought it would impress them. Just do what you really like to do--it's the best way to go.

3. When it comes to getting into college, the more clubs I join, sports I play, and volunteering I do, the better!

True.
Nope! Sometimes less is more. While participating in lots of activities can make for a well-rounded person, admissions committees value depth over breadth.
If you've only been involved in chorus, but have stayed with it all four years and traveled to perform or compete, then the quality of that experience will shine through. It's revealing to savvy admissions people when an applicant's extracurricular activities list is long but grades come up short.
False.
Right! Less can be more. It's the quality of your experience over the long term that can count as much, if not more, than a laundry list of activities. While participating in lots of activities can make for a well-rounded person, admissions committees value depth over breadth.
If you've only been involved in chorus, but have stayed with it all four years and traveled to perform or compete, then the quality of that experience will shine through. It's revealing to savvy admissions people when an applicant's extracurricular activities list is long but grades come up short.

4. When I mention an activity on my application, it's important to give details.

True.
Great! Then you know that admissions committees place value on your experiences based on what you did and what you learned, more than just the name of the activity. You know that volunteering in a soup kitchen seems self-explanatory but writing that you were responsible for setting up and serving 100 meals a week communicates that you have time management skills and planning abilities. Don't forget that if you received a special award that is unique to your activity; include the award's full name, without abbreviations, and a brief explanation of why you received it.
False.
Uh uh. Although a list with names of clubs, activities, honors, and experiences can say so much about you, it is important to elaborate. Volunteering in a soup kitchen seems self-explanatory but how will the committee know that you were responsible for setting up and serving 100 meals a week? That communicates that you have time management skills and planning abilities.
Be sure to include specific projects you completed, skills and talents that you utilized, and most importantly what meaning the experience held for you.

5. Since I'm an athlete and I want to play in college, I'll need to go through a different admissions process.

True.
Right! If you have dreams of turning your high school sport into college athletics, then you need to become familiar with the National College Athletics Association (NCAA) clearinghouse as soon as possible.
The NCAA evaluates the transcripts of all prospective college athletes and determines eligibility based on their own standards, requirements, and core courses. Knowing what the NCAA requires will ensure that you take the right courses and that you won't be shut out of playing for the college of your choice.
False.
Wrong! If you have dreams of turning your high school sport into college athletics, then you need to become familiar with the National College Athletics Association (NCAA) clearinghouse as soon as possible.
The NCAA evaluates the transcripts of all prospective college athletes and determines eligibility based on their own standards, requirements, and core courses. Knowing what the NCAA requires will ensure that you take the right courses and that you won't be shut out of playing for the college of your choice.

1. I play sports, so it's okay if my GPA is a little weak.
False.

2. It will look better on my application if I volunteer at a homeless shelter than if I am a member of the drama club.
False.

3. When it comes to getting into college, the more clubs I join, sports I play, and volunteering I do, the better!
False.

4. When I mention an activity on my application, it's important to give details.
True.

5. Since I'm an athlete and I want to play in college, I'll need to go through a different admissions process.
True.