<p>Just curious if anyone can weigh in as to the importance of extracurriculars with regard to my situation. I'm 24 years old and took about 3 or 4 years off before returning to school last fall (a coummunity college in Washington state). My high school transcript is less than impressive, however I'm hoping that will be overshadowed by more recent work. </p>
<p>My GPA is a 3.96, I will be joining Phi Theta Kappa, was nominated for a research paper contest last year, know of two proffessors who can provide excellant reccomendations, and am hoping to write some good essays. Also, a lot of schools no longer require SAT's from me either.</p>
<p>Will the lack of a long list of extracurriculars hurt me? I'm applying to schools like USC, NYU, UVa(legacy), Georgetown. Are schools like UPenn, UChicago, Columbia flat out out of my league?</p>
<p>Oh- I will be applying for the fall '08 with 2 years completed and an A.A.<br>
Probably going to major in either history or sociology; looking to law school afterwards. </p>
<p>I only know about UVa, but they like to see extracurriculars. One of the essay topics is based on them, and although good numbers are important, so is involvement/activities outside of school because they favor well-rounded applicants. Since you've been in college for two years, and out of high school for even more, I think they would expect to see a resume that includes job(s)/activities. If you have none or only a few, it won't kill you, but it definitely won't be good.</p>
<p>I was actually hoping that Virginia's interest in well-rounded applicants would work to my advantage, as I feel that accurately describes me. During my time away from school I worked a number of jobs that challenged me in different ways, helping to shape me into who I am today. I worked at a Honda dealership where I worked my way up from washing cars to selling them. I worked at a brand new, ultra-exclusive country club on Nantucket Island where I helped to organize and create the snack bar kitchen during the club's opening season. I also worked my way up the ranks of a valet parking company in Tampa, FL. </p>
<p>Do you think these types of activities will help me out? I just don't have much that I'm currently involved in, as lately I've been pretty focused on schoolwork and not much else.</p>
<p>Do you think my past job experiences will be looked upon as favorably as the typical EC's admissions offices are used to seeing, ie. student senate, club involvement, volunteer work, etc.?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Do you think these types of activities will help me out? I just don't have much that I'm currently involved in, as lately I've been pretty focused on schoolwork and not much else.</p>
<p>Do you think my past job experiences will be looked upon as favorably as the typical EC's admissions offices are used to seeing, ie. student senate, club involvement, volunteer work,
[/quote]
Yes, yes, yes.</p>
<p>Perhaps you have been working, with a need to continue earning funds, while at college? If so, that is also an EC. If not, then I think you are absolutely on the right track in saying that you have been very focused on school work. </p>
<p>Obviously, I am not an adcom. But I think there is ample evidence that folks don't have to have the "typical" ECs to succeed in admissions - whether transfer or freshman. But rather something(s) that shows the other side of them, that they are not uni-dimensional, and that they have something to offer the university community beyond the ability to get good grades.</p>
<p>While it would be good to have a club or two, you are a untraidtional transfer applicant from a CC, so I think the jobs will be ok. Go visit the UVA page and read through the Official Fall 07 Transfer Thread, there's lots of good stuff/stats in there to give you an idea. There was an applicant just like you on there, except he was military and lacked a few reqs (which are BIG!).</p>
<p>Thanks shoebox, I checked out the thread and it was indeed very helpful. UVa is basically my first choice; I lived in C'ville growing up while my stepfather attended law school there, so I'm aware of what an amazing schools it really is.</p>
<p>When you said the military guy on there was lacking "reqs", were you talking about prerequiset classes UVa wants completed prior to transfer? I anticipate having 60+ (compared to his 36), lacking only the tail end of the foreign language requirement and maybe a math class. Do you think this would hurt me significantly? Anyways, congrats on your acceptance as I'm sure it must be sweet.</p>
<p>Ah, there were two of them, sorry. There was someone in your position that lacked a few reqs. He is just similar in life style. I don't remember the first person's name, but the second was Bait&Switch.<br>
Anyways, lacking reqs (required courses) will hurt you. Try to take care of them, and at least be taking them, when applying. Especially since you're a third year, you need to have the first two years taken care of. If it's just one class, they'll ask you to take it over the summer. If it's more, I think it could be a problem. Second to grades is fulfilling pre-reqs.</p>