If you’re a teenager (or a parent of one), who’s keen to study at the best universities outside India, you’ve surely heard that Extracurricular activities play a critical role in college applications. And that’s great, specially if you’re not the typical A+ student academically.
But what are ECA’s ? Is is just another term for community service or is there more to it ? What makes colleges look at ECA’s favourably?
First things first – these activities give admissions officers a more complete picture of who you are beyond your academic record. So, it’s a good idea to participate in activities that you enjoy and that align with your interests and goals.
What constitutes ECA ?
While the activities may be unique to your skills and interests , they can be broadly classified as under:
1. Sports
2. Summer Programs/Internships
3. Community/Volunteer services
4. AP courses / extra academic courses
5. Certificate courses / Online courses
6. Active member in school clubs
It’s important to remember, that Quality trumps Quantity : focus your efforts on 2 to 3 main activities, which align with your interests. Also, as far as colleges applications go, be smart to weave them through-out the application.
Choosing the right ECA’s can be a challenge, especially if you’re someone who dabbles in multiple activities. Make a note of the following steps:
- Make a list of everything you love to do.
- Go through the list and identify those that could also impact people around you (community service).
- Identify mentors and supporters.
- Ideally your list should include:
- 1 Career Activity : subject related
- 1 Community Activity: an important aspect is persisting with an activity ( not just a one-off participation). A good thumb-rule is at least 12 months.
- Personal Activity: could tie-in with the 2 earlier ones, or it may not tie in with career goals ( trekking / philately )
- Demonstrate Leadership: start something new / execute an original idea.
Key Points:
- Target two or three main activities
- Have a cohesive theme throughout your extracurriculars.
- Don’t overdo extracurriculars. Think quality over quantity.
At MindScan, we work with students & handhold them through the entire process of university research and application. If you’re thinking about applying to the best universities in the world, we’ll be happy to partner you on this journey. Connect with us today !
