It’s my first time posting onto College Confidential, so here we go. I about to be a senior in my high school, and I was wondering how much extracurriculars help your application to colleges. Do titles and positions really matter in clubs?
For example, I’m the Secretary of my Key Club, but there’s an available position for Vice President. Another peer of mine, who I will not mention, is (this is just the plain truth) less adequate than me, but requested to become VP. And sure enough, she is now.
Application wise, my academics are sub-par, my extracurriculers are somewhat better.
I didn’t study at all for the PSAT, and I got an 1190, which I know is really low.
Should I spend more time on increasing my score for the SAT, or ACT? (Yeah, I’m pretty sure it’s an obvious answer that grades are more important than EC’s but I just need a confirmation).
And, one more thing. Is it actually necessary for me to think about the trivial things of EC’s such as titles and roles? Does it matter?
I mean, EC’s are like the cherry on the top of a really nice sundae. But my sundae is already screwed, EC’s won’t help me. (Or will they?)
I’m thinking about going into the humanities field, because my strengths lie in liberal arts, not STEM.
Most all schools will place the greatest emphasis on GPA and course rigor.
EC may factor in, but as you’ve noted, they really are just the cherry on top.
But not all schools are created equally – some are happy with an upward trend for GPA, others are test optional, while may art or performance-oriented schools will place more value on your audition than GPA.
To best advise you we’d need to know a few things:
What is your cumulative GPA?
What state are you in?
What is your budget? Have you spoken to your parents about finances?
What is your potential focus within the Humanities?
What part of the country are you targeting? Size of school? Type of school?
Then start exploring/researching specific schools.
Have a look at the College That Change Lives (CTLC) web site. They have an array of liberal arts colleges (LAC’s) that may fit the bill. Many are test optional.
No one can tell you which standardized test(s) to take. I recommend that you find some practice tests for both and see which one you score the highest on. There are concordance charts that will show you the equivalencies.
Then put in a concerted prep effort for the one test.
GPA and other academic performances almost always take precedence over EC’s unless you’re a highly recruited athlete or have something that colleges desire. Besides, if you don’t have the GPA range for those top colleges where EC’s do relatively matter, then your question is moot.
I think you should prepare as much as you can for your SAT or ACT and concentrate on getting the best grades you can the first semester of your senior year. ECs will tell a school about your interests and things you value and are going to be most important if you already have excellent grades and test scores. In my opinion there are few situations where an EC will be interesting enough to greatly impact admission if the grades and test scores are subpar for the university.
My GPA is actually, in fact, rather sad. UW is 3.6 , Weighted is 3.8
I’m in the state of California.
To me, applying to UC’s is literally a losing game. Senior grades don’t count towards UC’s (as I’ve heard, but do correct me if wrong)
Huh, I sound very optimistic.
In terms of budget… my family does not make that much. In other words, when I take the SAT I don’t need to pay. Well, that’s for now. We’ll see what happens in my senior year (I might need to pay if my family’s income changes).
In terms of application, there’s a section where they ask you to talk about yourself. And I’m probably going to write that I’ve been moving each year since I was 12 years old. So EC’s involving “long-term commitment” is not a bonus for me since I’ve been changing schools. But, I do blog. And I guess, that is a long-term activity in its own way.
I potentially want to focus in Legal Studies or Social Justice/Human Rights or Political Science. I want to go to a school where it’s not just primarily liberal arts (yes, I know that may sound contradicting). Even though I am most likely becoming a liberal arts major, I want to be in a school that has strengths in many fields. The reason being… I need a backup. What happens if I’m in college and I’m like, nope liberal arts is not for me (Of course, I don’t want that to happen though). What was my 17 year old mind thinking?
So yes, I do want to apply to the so-called good schools. The ones that everyone wants to get into. But my stats are pretty ugly. Which is why it’s important for me to focus on test scores (for UC’s) and my senior grades (for regular application for east Coast colleges).
There are several UC’s where your GPA would give you a decent chance. What are your test scores and EC’s?
UC’s by far favor academics over EC’s, but with all things being equal, a interesting/unique EC could boost your chances.
Here is what the UC’s consider in their admission decisions:
Berkeley
*
Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores
Important: Extracurricular activities, Volunteer work, Work experience
Considered: Character/personal qualities, First generation college student, State residency
Note: Thorough review of academic performance; likely contribution to intellectual and cultural vitality of the campus; diversity in personal background and experience; demonstrated qualities in leadership, motivation, concern for others and community; non-academic achievement in the performing arts, athletics or employment; demonstrated interest in major.
LOR’s by invitation only as of 2017
*
Davis
*
Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores
Important: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, Talent/ability, Volunteer work
Considered: First generation college student, Geographical residence, State residency, Work experience
Note: Scholastic achievement most important, followed by school and community activities, academic interests, special circumstances, special achievements and awards
*
Irvine
*
Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Extracurricular activities, Level of applicant's interest, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience
Important: Character/personal qualities, Class rank
Considered: First generation college student, Geographical residence, State residency
Note: Demonstrated record of academic preparation, educational engagement, talent and skills important.
*
Los Angeles
*
Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores
Important: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience
Considered: First generation college student, Geographical residence
Note: GPA, test scores, course work, number of and performance in honors and AP courses most important. Essay considered. Strong senior program important. Extracurricular activities, honors and awards also reviewed.
*
Merced
*
Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores
Important: Class rank, Extracurricular activities, Talent/ability
Considered: Character/personal qualities, First generation college student, Geographical residence, Level of applicant's interest, Recommendations, State residency, Volunteer work, Work experience
Note: Academic record and test scores determine eligibility.
*
Riverside
*
Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores
Considered: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, First generation college student, State residency, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience
Note: A fixed weight point system comprehensive review model that culminates in an Academic Index Score to determine admission for incoming freshmen.
*
San Diego
*
Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores
Important: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, First generation college student, State residency, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience
Note: High school course pattern, GPA, essay and test scores most important. Admission for out-of-state applicants more selective than for residents.
*
Santa Barbara
*
Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores
Considered: Character/personal qualities, Class rank, Extracurricular activities, First generation college student, Level of applicant's interest, State residency, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience
Note: Eligibility established by high school GPA, course requirement, and SAT scores. Special consideration for disadvantaged students.
*
Santa Cruz
*
Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores, State residency
Important: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, First generation college student, Geographical residence, Talent/ability
Considered: Volunteer work, Work experience
Note: Test scores, GPA in required subjects most important. Personal statement very important.
And this information will give you some UC’s to target:
Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.80-4.19: