Here's another excerpt from the book Getting into College and Paying for It courtesy of the author (I really liked the book -- I gave it 7 stars.) Today, we'll cover "Extracurricular Activities" which is in Chapter 2 of the book. Here goes:
Extracurricular Activities
“I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.” Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
I’m sure that Thomas Jefferson would have agreed that luck has little or nothing to do with it. Success in any undertaking is the direct result of proper planning and execution.
Clubbing
At this point in time (9th grade) the student should begin clubbing. No, I don’t mean staying out ‘till the wee hours of the morning, partying. Membership in the Debate Club, Student Council, Key Club, etc., is one of the absolute necessities to becoming a well-rounded, acceptable student.
During their entire high school career, it will prove to be even more beneficial if the student holds office or takes on a leadership role in some of these clubs. Better still, at some point students should take the initiative and form their own volunteer organization(s), or perhaps a fundraiser for a disadvantaged family or someone who was struck down with a disease that requires a substantial dollar amount for treatment. Clubbing, participating in sports, and getting involved in every day school activities all add points to the GPA.
Clubbing is fun and builds character at the same time. However, rather than joining a different club every semester, it is far more impressive to stay with the same club for all four years. This will show admissions officers that the student has perseverance and honors commitments. It’s very important to show your passion about something other than just the opposite sex. Admissions officers are looking to test the student’s resolve and their ability to finish what they start – whatever they start.
Beginning early is also very important, because if a club doesn’t have the right fit, you need to know by the end of the 9th grade or at the very latest, the 10th grade, rather than in the senior year. By the end of the 10th grade, the student should have narrowed down their club involvement allowing them more time to take an active role in the ones they’ve chosen.
I always recommend joining the Yearbook Staff, Debate Club and the Key Club. By being a member, or even better, being an officer, students get to be more involved with the entire school and can develop relationships with teachers that will prove invaluable when it comes time for LOR’s (letters of recommendation). Being president of a language club also goes a long way with an admissions committee.
Leadership is a quality that will impress others throughout a student’s life. Taking on a leadership role demonstrates taking a risk and assuming responsibility. Even students who are super athletes need some diversity, as sports alone are not enough; students need to avoid the impression that they are one-dimensional. It is more important that students are portrayed as multi-faceted.
Volunteer And Community Service Hours
The student must also begin to accumulate community service or volunteer hours, which will add even more points to their overall GPA. However, don’t confuse extracurricular activities with volunteer work. One has nothing to do with the other.
- I define extracurricular activities as in-school participation.
- Community service takes place outside of school.
Such activities involve scouting, working for one’s house of worship, working with AIDS and/or Alzheimer’s patients, seniors, hospice, Special Olympics, the blind, assisting hospital or nursing home staffs, coaching, refereeing, tutoring, Horses For The Handicapped (autistic children), or any other involvement with the handicapped, Habitat for Humanity, Meals On Wheels, environmental work, such as cleaning up beaches and highways, etc., etc., etc.
By participating in volunteer work with financially, emotionally and/or intellectually challenged people, students demonstrate their compassion and empathy for others, and this will help them shine with the admissions officers. Working with those who are less fortunate also gives the student a much broader idea of what life outside of their own environment is actually like.
Legendary comic George Burns used to say, “Every day I go into the kitchen, sit down at the table, open the newspaper to the obituaries, and, if my name isn’t there – I eat breakfast!” Well, I’m certainly no comic, but each morning I go into my kitchen, sit down at the table, and read three local newspapers. I cut out and save all of the numerous volunteer opportunities listed. As a result, I have compiled literally thousands of volunteer listings, and I encourage parents and their students to come in and browse through the file to find unlimited possibilities for volunteer work. I strongly recommend that every student scour his or her own local newspaper(s) for such listings.
Many religious and other organizations have been known to give double credit for volunteer hours. Try it yourself. The colleges will love you for participating above and beyond the call of duty.
Graduation from a public high school in Florida usually requires a minimum of 40 hours of community service, and school districts throughout the country each have their own specific requirements.
Additionally, many private and religious schools have no mandatory requirements. Don’t make the mistake of ignoring or only completing the minimum. An example of the benefits of community service is best demonstrated in this scenario:
Two students apply to the same college, but there’s only room for one of them. They have comparable grades and test scores. Student “A” has 370 hours of community service, while student “B” has only 40 hours. Which student do you think will most likely be accepted?
This rhetorical question illustrates a very important point. The more community service hours, the more of a decisive advantage a student has in the admissions process. As part of a student’s resume, it is a safe bet that many schools will actually look for student involvement with the handicapped or others less fortunate.
Students who start their own fundraiser or other similar community service project will virtually guarantee extra points being added to their GPA. This is so well regarded by the schools; it can actually make up for a shortfall on the transcript! It is here that mediocrity fails and a degree of excellence overwhelms.
Warning! If you’re on a sports team, in the orchestra, or have a parent who is a physician, don’t limit your time to only those particular activities. Once again, it is here that diversity as well as commitment counts.
A combination of work, community service and sports cover all the bases. Don’t ask yourself, “How can I possibly do all of that?” I guarantee that there are numerous other students doing more. How isn’t important, but why is! That’s what the best schools are looking for – above average students who go the extra distance. What all students should be asking themselves is, “Will I be one of them?” – and do what it takes, whatever it takes, to make sure that they are.
In 2003, two students whom I counseled had each accumulated over 1,000 hours of community service. One was a Sea Scout and an Eagle Scout, and the other had achieved the same status in the Girl Scouts and also had accrued hundreds of additional volunteer hours.
Another student of mine who is legally blind, bilingual, had over 1,200 service hours, 1,400+ SAT, 4.5+ GPA, etc., etc., etc!! This is a perfect example of what a student with the proper guidance and motivation can accomplish.
Planning is the key word that not only sums up the admissions process but the entire College Financial Aid Process as well. You must plan your work and work your plan. No one plans to fail, but sadly, too many fail to plan.
Parents and their ninth graders reading this book will now have a tremendous advantage over families with seniors who haven’t done much planning, even if their students have impressive numbers. Starting early also narrows down college choices so that by the 12th grade, students will know exactly which schools they’ll be applying to. It’s here that curriculum counts and name recognition is secondary. The one overriding factor that families need to be aware of is to insure that the student obtains the maximum knowledge in the course they are pursuing!
Summertime Activities
How you spend the next three summers will also have a direct affect on how the admissions officers will perceive you. A lackluster summer suggests the student is not community oriented, and this could actually detract from the GPA. Students volunteering for out-of-state community service (excluding summer camp) will certainly turn heads.
If you are fortunate enough to be able to tour Europe or the Far East, keep a diary of your everyday activities. Accentuate the cultural aspects of your trip, rather than the leisure times. If you studied in a foreign country, that would be an A+. Don’t squander such opportunities. These experiences will be great material for future college essays.
Taking college courses in the summer is another great idea. This also shows risk taking, which, once again, is highly regarded by all admissions officers. If the student can land an internship, that too would be most advantageous and will add to the GPA. Just be sure that the work suits the student’s academic abilities. Students should not be afraid to quit if all they are doing is inventory or some other menial task.
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This is simply excellent advice. I was active in both high school and college and these activities played a big role in getting me into college and graduate school (they also ended up earning me some big $$$$$$ as I got several "leadership" scholarships for my extracurricular activities). These activities were also instrumental in me getting assistantship positions that paid for the majority of my college education.
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