Which Matters More For College: Extracurricular Activities Or Grades?

Colleges generally prioritize academics over extracurricular activities, but this is not a binary situation. Colleges aim to accept students who are not likely to fail their classes, so few applicants get in who do not meet their minimum academic standards. Extracurricular activities account for about 30% of a college application, but their impact on admissions is more nuanced than that. Most highly selective colleges use the Academic Index to screen applicants, which represents academic factors like grades and test scores.

Tier 1 activities are rare and demonstrate exceptional achievement or leadership. They help students explore their passions and career interests. While extracurricular interests are an important factor in college admissions, they are not all created equal. Higher levels of involvement and involvement are essential for showcasing skills, passions, and dedication outside of the classroom.

While coursework and GPA are typically more important factors on college applications, extracurricular activities may still have some impact on the admissions decision a student receives. While many students prefer to believe that grades on their transcripts don’t matter, research has found that GPA is more important than extracurricular activities for non-top 20 schools. Even for Top 20s, good GPA is necessary.

Extracurricular activities also help with the college admission and scholarship process by showing committees that you are a well-rounded individual. While grades and test scores are important, colleges also want to see the person you’re becoming and the skills you’ve learned outside of class. Being involved in extracurriculars is helpful to one’s college admission, but being able to provide a high percentile SAT/ACT score is also crucial. Extracurricular activities can distinguish your application from other students with the same grades and test scores.

What grades are most important to colleges?

College admissions committees accord the 11th-grade transcript the greatest weight, given that it is the final year of academic records that colleges will review, with students typically applying during their senior year. Additionally, they request transcripts of first-semester senior-year courses. Admissions officers review the academic performance of students in every completed high school quarter and semester. It is of the utmost importance to commence preparation for college in the ninth and tenth grades.

Is a 3.8 GPA good?

A 3. 8 GPA is a Grade Point Average of 3. 8 on a 4. 0 scale, indicating a predominantly A average in courses. It is considered a very good GPA and often indicates strong academic performance. A 3. 8 GPA is only two-tenths of a point below the “perfect” GPA, demonstrating consistent performance at a high level. A 3. 8 GPA far exceeds the average GPA of graduating high school seniors and outpaces the 3.

5 benchmarks used by most selective colleges as an unspoken baseline for admission. Admissions committees consider both the GPA and the full application when making decisions, considering test scores, extracurricular activities, recommendations, and essays.

How many extracurriculars should I have for UC?

To achieve a successful career, choose two to three areas of interest and commit to three to five extracurricular activities for three to four years. Developing leadership skills is crucial in these activities. Consider community service and volunteering, educational preparation programs, internships, summer programs, and other ideas like research programs and independent projects. Use vetted volunteer matching service providers to search for opportunities and sign up for email notifications when they become available. Most of these listings are national, covering various interest areas.

Do extracurriculars matter for US universities?

It is strongly recommended that students engage in extracurricular activities during the admissions process, as these experiences facilitate the formation of connections within the campus community. However, such activities are not a prerequisite for admission unless stipulated by a scholarship or grant program.

What is the difference between academic and extracurricular activities?

Extracurricular activities are crucial for students to develop skills and prepare for college education. They help students develop strong character, obedience, dedication, determination, self-control, and respect for academic staff. A study was conducted to determine the impact of extracurricular activities on academic performance of Grade 11 STEM students at Cavite National High School. The study used a survey method and Pearson Product-moment Correlation Coefficient to analyze data.

Results showed that students who engage in extracurricular activities generally benefit from better examination results, higher standardized test scores, higher educational achievement, more regular class attendance, and a higher self-concept.

The implementation of the K-12 curriculum in the Philippines has improved the quality of education by covering extracurricular activities and supporting school clubs. This provides sufficient time for mastery of concepts and skills, as well as developing lifelong learners as they prepare for higher education. Crimson found that involvement in after school club activities and extracurricular activities is beneficial for the K-12 population.

Does UCLA care more about grades or extracurriculars?

UCLA values course rigor, GPA, and essays the most, followed by extracurriculars, talent, personal character, and volunteer/work experience. Standardized test scores and demonstrated interest are not considered. The UCLA Common Data Set (CDS) is a valuable resource that helps shape an applicant’s application. UCLA admissions officers evaluate applicants based on factors like GPA, application essays, and extracurricular activities. They prioritize these factors over standardized test scores and demonstrated interest.

This multi-stage review demonstrates that UCLA values both good grades and personal character, demonstrating that while good grades are important, UCLA also values an applicant’s engagement with their community.

How many extracurriculars does Harvard need?

Admissions officers assess extracurricular activities based on their exceptionality, with one representing the most exceptional and four representing the most common, despite the absence of a universally accepted hierarchy of extracurricular activities.

Can you get into Harvard without extracurriculars?

A significant proportion of Harvard students, myself included, were not nationally recognized for their extracurricular activities during their secondary education. It is of the utmost importance to engage in activities that one finds enjoyable and meaningful, regardless of the level at which one participates.

Is a 3.5 GPA good?

A 3. 5 GPA is considered a desirable GPA, as it demonstrates consistent performance in homework, tests, and projects across all subjects. The national average GPA for high school graduates is 3. 0, and many colleges and universities consider a 3. 0 as the competitive benchmark. A 3. 5 GPA is a percentile of 90, a grade of B+ or A-, depending on the grading scale used. Although a 3. 5 GPA is a strong GPA, it may not guarantee admission to highly selective colleges, as admissions committees consider the entire application, including test scores, extracurricular activities, recommendations, and essays.

How do co-curricular activities affect academics?

Co-curricular activities offer students the chance to apply their knowledge, develop new skills, and strengthen their social and organizational abilities. They also provide practical expertise related to their topic. ScienceDirect uses cookies and all rights are reserved for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies. Open access content is licensed under Creative Commons terms. By continuing, students agree to the use of cookies.

What counts as extracurricular activities?

Extracurricular activities are ongoing activities outside of regular classes, such as sports, clubs, community service, arts, academic competitions, part-time jobs, internships, and more. Colleges want to learn about an individual’s interests and skills, so it’s important to choose activities that align with your true interests and goals. Colleges prefer committed and engaged individuals, and showing sustained interest in an extracurricular through multiple years of service shows seriousness about your pursuits outside the classroom.

When choosing an extracurricular activity, consider whether you consider yourself a leader, team player, or a leader in both sports and leadership. Activities that overlap categories, such as being the captain of your soccer team, can be considered leadership. Demonstrating leadership qualities in college applications goes beyond being a class president or team captain; it can involve developing new ideas, taking the reins, and making things happen. For example, starting a recycling program or organizing a study group for college entrance exams can demonstrate leadership.