Extracurricular accomplishments are difficult to score properly, since they're so diverse and varied by school.
There are nationally recognized organizations and competitions - for instance, Science Olympiad and National Honor Society.
For everything else, it comes down to a qualitative judgment. That's why you need to do everything you can to be the best, regardless of what activity you're involved with.
Having worked in the Admissions Office of a Top 20 college (as well as being a former Ivy Leaguer), I've developed a clear perspective on exactly what you need to accomplish in your extracurriculars to stand out.
Here's what you must focus on:
1) Leadership positions that are SCHOOLWIDE - like student government and class government. It's impressive because you stand out across the entire school. Princeton will be impressed.
2) Participation in the ECs where your school has distinction. Most College Admissions Committees know what each school is good at (for instance, Lincoln-Douglas debate) - participating in your school's strongest activities will stand out at Columbia
3) Anything that leads to national or international recognition - given the competition these days, it's the best way to stand apart from the pack for the Ivy Leagues
As I mention in Hopeless To Harvard, 50% of your success is your accomplishments. The other 50% is how you present it in the application.
What do I mean? Focus hard on describing the impact and results of your leadership and EC activities. Don't just talk about what you did - talk about why it was important
Follow the secret steps above, and you'll be opening an admissions packet from your dream school in no time! - 22783
There are nationally recognized organizations and competitions - for instance, Science Olympiad and National Honor Society.
For everything else, it comes down to a qualitative judgment. That's why you need to do everything you can to be the best, regardless of what activity you're involved with.
Having worked in the Admissions Office of a Top 20 college (as well as being a former Ivy Leaguer), I've developed a clear perspective on exactly what you need to accomplish in your extracurriculars to stand out.
Here's what you must focus on:
1) Leadership positions that are SCHOOLWIDE - like student government and class government. It's impressive because you stand out across the entire school. Princeton will be impressed.
2) Participation in the ECs where your school has distinction. Most College Admissions Committees know what each school is good at (for instance, Lincoln-Douglas debate) - participating in your school's strongest activities will stand out at Columbia
3) Anything that leads to national or international recognition - given the competition these days, it's the best way to stand apart from the pack for the Ivy Leagues
As I mention in Hopeless To Harvard, 50% of your success is your accomplishments. The other 50% is how you present it in the application.
What do I mean? Focus hard on describing the impact and results of your leadership and EC activities. Don't just talk about what you did - talk about why it was important
Follow the secret steps above, and you'll be opening an admissions packet from your dream school in no time! - 22783
About the Author:
Are you an average student who wants to go to Harvard? Hopeless To Harvard is the story of how a B+ student got into Harvard, Stanford, and Princeton. Click here to learn his strategies for admissions success. Get into Harvard now!
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