Do grades matter more than 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.

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.

Do colleges really care about extracurriculars?

The activities and extracurriculars you participate in during high school will be critical in earning admission to college. Admissions committees know that students who are involved in activities are better prepared for college and have skills that will make them successful students and future professionals.

Do essays matter more than extracurriculars?

At the top 250 schools, your essays generally account for 25% of your overall application. This is only slightly behind the 30% for extracurriculars.

Do extracurriculars matter in the UK?

Extra-curricular activities are an absolute must-have if you want to get into the best universities in the UK. This applies to Oxbridge, the G5 and also to the Russell Group. Any university ranked in the UK top 50 in the QS rankings will expect you to have a wealth of activities to rely upon.

'You need more than just top grades’ - Do your extracurriculars make the cut for college admission?

Do Oxford care about 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 UK schools care about 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.

Is 5 extracurriculars too much?

Many people agree that three is a good maximum. If a child is at that maximum and wants to add a new activity, then ensure that they drop one.

Is 3 extracurriculars enough?

A good number of extracurriculars can be around four. Although every student is different, having four extracurriculars allows you to branch out without being overwhelmed. Having a good variety of hobbies outside of school is important.

Can good extracurriculars make up for bad grades?

Extracurricular activities are a must, especially if your report cards have a few lower grades. They give weight to any application and they will become even more important if you're trying to make up for bad grades.

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.

Does Harvard look for extracurriculars?

Extracurricular activities are actually a very important part of getting into Harvard. Admissions officers are looking for students who thrive both in and out of the classroom. In other words, they are looking for students who have interesting passions and are leaders in their community.

How many extracurriculars should I have for Ivy League?

How Many Extracurricular Activities Do Ivy Leagues Want? For most students, two or three extracurricular activities is manageable while balancing a full course load, depending on the commitment involved in each.

What is considered 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 7 extracurriculars good?

How Many “Normal” Activities Should Students Have? The Goldilocks “just right” number of activities is 5 or 6. This is a good amount because it's achievable for most students without being overwhelming.

What doesn't count as an extracurricular?

In truth, an extracurricular can be any activity not related to coursework that you spend time doing. So, for example, completing an essay or a school-assigned project would not be considered extracurricular, even though you may complete this task outside of school.

What are Tier 1 extracurriculars?

Tier I: Tier I activities are extremely rare. They are reserved for the very best students in the country (or world) at what they do (e.g. All-American Athlete, Olympic Gymnast, National President of DECA, National Debate Champion, etc.)

How much is too much extracurricular?

There's no magic number of activities. For some kids, even one intense activity like sports or theater might turn out to be too many. Other kids can handle several without getting stressed. Check in with your child to see how they feel about their balance of activities.

How many extracurriculars do you need to get into Harvard?

There is no magic number. Colleges would rather see students take a strong leadership role in one or two activities that they really care about than have a dozen that they just show up so they can put them on their application.

Is it bad to have no extracurriculars?

Although not having extracurricular activities in high school is not necessarily "bad," it can limit your chances for personal growth, development, and achievement. Extracurricular activities offer opportunities to develop skills, explore interests, and connect with like-minded peers.

How many activities should I have for UC?

While the Common App allows you to list 10 activities, the UC Application provides you the opportunity to list 20 activities, so use this section of the application to show off the range of your interests.

What if you have more than 10 extracurriculars?

Don't worry if you have more than 10 activities you want the admission counselors to know about. Many colleges allow you to upload a full extracurricular resume as part of your application. Alternatively, you may be able to find ways to reference additional extracurriculars in your supplemental essays.

What is the most liked school subject in the UK?

There's a Surprise - Maths Comes Top!

Our survey shows that Maths is the school subject most liked by children whilst ICT (Information and Communications Technology) came in at a lowly 6th position.

Do Oxford and Cambridge 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 extracurricular activities should I do for Oxford?