Do colleges look at grades or extracurriculars?

First things first: grades matter most While extracurricular activities are a factor in college admissions, they are definitely not the most important—academic performance is! Grades, a solid GPA, and the strength of curriculum matter most to the admission officers evaluating your student.

Do colleges care more about extracurriculars or grades?

Extracurricular activities are not the most important factor in a college application. Coursework and GPA, for instance, bear more weight.

Will colleges check your extracurriculars?

If you're applying for a top school and the extracurricular is a spike (your most impressive activity on your application), they will almost certainly look into it.

Do UK colleges look at extracurriculars?

Activities like debating or speech/drama diplomas might be useful in this regard. In general, the UK does place less emphasis on extracurriculars, but certainly there are relevant activities you can do that might help to boost your application beyond just scoring well in your school subjects.

What percent of colleges look at extracurricular activities?

In a study of four-year colleges during the 2023 admission cycle, the National Association for College Admission Counseling found that 44.3 percent of colleges consider extracurricular activities to be of moderate importance in the admissions decision.

The Extracurricular Activities that Top Colleges Do/Don't Want to See

What if I have good grades but no extracurriculars?

When you lack extracurricular activities, emphasizing your academic achievements becomes crucial. Admissions officers highly value a strong academic record, so maintain dedication to your studies and aim for the best possible grades.

Is 7 extracurriculars enough?

Though 5 – 6 is the most ideal amount, that's not to say that some students don't do well with fewer activities – sometimes significantly fewer!

What grades do UK colleges look at?

Qualification/Grades Requirements to Study in UK

Further, the qualification requirements may vary depending on the level of degree and university. However, since most UK universities are very competitive, you are expected to provide a higher grade of 3.75 out of 4 and an overall percentage of 70% or above.

Do Oxford care about extracurriculars?

There's a myth that Oxford is looking for the most well-rounded applicants, with a long list of varied extra-curricular activities. In fact, tutors are primarily concerned with your academic ability and potential, as well as enthusiasm for your chosen subject.

What extracurriculars does Oxford want?

Can I get into college without extracurriculars?

While college admissions officers realize that students can't do everything—and in fact, it's better if you don't try to do everything—your application will be much less competitive because you have chosen to do nothing.

Do colleges care if you were in clubs?

In fact, extracurricular activities are one of the most important “soft factors” that colleges consider, so it's important for students to be thoughtful and strategic about their extracurricular involvement. However, activities aren't just for “looking good” to admissions committees.

Do colleges fact check your essays?

Typically, admissions officers do not have the capacity to fact-check every detail in your essays.

Is junior year too late for extracurriculars?

No need to stress too much about it, it's definitely not too late to join new clubs and activities in your junior year. Colleges appreciate students who show genuine interest in their extracurriculars, and it's better to get involved now than to not get involved at all.

Can you get into college with B's?

Though high grades provide an advantage in the college admissions process, earning Bs will not prevent you from getting into a top college. Just as you are more than your academics, your application is more than your GPA.

What is a Tier 1 extracurricular activities?

Any number of activities can fall under Tier 1—it's the success a student has had that influences the activity's value to colleges. Tier 1 activities can include athletic achievements, such as being a highly recruited basketball player or a nationally ranked tennis player.

Is it easier to get into Oxford or Cambridge?

This statistic is derived from a pool of roughly 46,000 applicants vying for 8,000 available spots at the two universities. For 2021 entry, Cambridge extended offers to 4,245 out of 22,788 applicants, while Oxford offered places to 3,932 out of 23,414 applicants.

Can a poor student study in Oxford?

Oxford offers one of the most generous financial support packages available for UK students, providing over £9.5 million of financial support to undergraduates from lower-income households. Around 1 in 4 UK students currently receives an annual, non-repayable bursary from Oxford.

Does Cambridge like extracurriculars?

It's all about academics at Oxbridge

Oxford and Cambridge admission tutors are mainly interested in your academic performance and ambitions, whereas other universities may offer you a place based on your experience, extracurricular activities and other skills.

Do you need all 9s to get into Oxford?

However, GCSEs are used in some parts of Oxford's admissions process as performance indicators and to predict A level grades. Oxford prefers applicants to have as many A*s and 9s as possible, and many applicants have a lot of 7, 8 and 9 grades.

Is 7 a good GCSE grade?

The highest grade you can get is a 9, with 1 being the lowest. This system was introduced in 2017, replacing the old GCSE grading system that awarded students letter grades from A* to G. In the current grading system, a score of 9, 8 and 7 are equivalent to an A* and A.

Is 68 a good grade UK?

Anything in the 60% range—what is known as a 2:1—is considered a “good” grade. Half of all UK university students graduate with a 2:1. Here's a simplified breakdown of the grading scale: First-class honours – typically 70% or higher (called a 1st)

What are weak extracurriculars?

The most common “weak” extracurricular profile is simply one that is nonexistent or bare bones. Admissions officers don't want couch potatoes; they want to accept students who will become involved in the learning community. A student with little or no extracurricular involvement is undesirable.

Is 10 extracurriculars too much?

There is never too many, but you have to show that you are genuinely committed and interested in the activity.

What sport looks best on a college application?