Elizabeth Schnell, College Consultant
At colleges that use holistic admissions, we know that that admissions readers rely on students’ activities to gain context for evaluating a candidate. So how should students decide what activities to pursue and how to highlight them?
Our best advice for students is to reframe this question and aim to develop your whole self rather than developing your activities resume. Feeling like you must “check all the boxes” is a surefire way NOT to tap into your authentic interests!
If an activity or area of interest already engages you above all others, try to go deeper or approach it from multiple angles. Students can become overloaded with extracurriculars, but not all are equally formative. Trade-offs can be agonizing, but after careful consideration you can give yourself permission to drop an activity to make room for something that will lead to more engagement and growth.
If you haven’t found something that excites you, or you are just starting high school, be strategic. Explore several activities to discern what genuinely interests you and generates its own momentum to take you deeper. Authentic interest comes first. If your heart isn’t in it, your investment of time and energy will not be as rewarding and impactful, and thus less likely to stand out.
As you evaluate where to focus, consider how the activity will shape you and become part of your story. Ask yourself the following questions, not as a checklist but to prompt reflection and discussion. As counselors, we love to have these conversations with students because it helps us to know and support you.
- What are my values and how does this pursuit reflect them?
- Can this area of activity allow me to exercise creativity or initiative?
- Can I connect this topic to my academic curiosity? Sometimes interests stem from something in the classroom that ignites thinking, and other times activities can spark a desire to choose different courses or learn outside the classroom.
- How does this experience offer the opportunity to collaborate with others in new ways?
- How does it activate my leadership potential or leadership style? Can I grow into a different role? How can I make an impact even if I am not the designated chairperson or officer?
- Does this pursuit give insight into a career direction?
- How can this endeavor take me out of my comfort zone?
- And finally, is there something on my schedule that is purely for fun, as a healthy “amateur” outlet to spark joy?
When students approach the choice of activities thoughtfully and prioritize quality over quantity, creating the resume or activities list becomes much easier. Your insights–into what is important, what you have learned, or how you have contributed–will surface. In these elements, you can find and communicate your own unique story.
