<p>I heard somewhere that colleges in the UK give very little or no consideration to extracurriculars. Is that true? Do they base it just off of grades and tests or is that a misconception?</p>
<p>Neither Canadian nor UK universities care about ECs. They tend to more less holistic.</p>
<p>That is true. To apply to Cambridge, for example, students submit A-level (test) scores and a personal statement. Based on that the good ones are selected for an interview, and the ones who survive the interview are admitted. No ECs, no personal essays or questions about background or summer experiences (and, for that matter, no class rank or even grades) - just test scores and "why this university, why this major?"</p>
<p>UK College Admissions are purely academics-based.</p>
<p>I'm in love...Why does the US have to always be one step behind? lol</p>
<p>I mean ECs are great, but if they weren't required, I'd only do the ones I truly love.</p>
<p>ya i got accepted to oxford for 08-09 and i got rejected from yale prob. due to a 3.8 gpa. i was able to survive the killer interview process, twice and its weighted heavily in their system. i think we need to incorporate that simply on the bounds that it measures retention and ability much more thoroughly than a standardized test and seperates out the men from the boys</p>
<p>From Oxford FAQs</p>
<p>Interviews</a> at Oxford : 2008/9 Oxford University Undergraduate Admissions</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
Are extra-curricular activities taken in to account?</p>
<p>Tutors may ask a question or two about extra-curricular activities, particularly at the beginning of the interview, as you are settling in. They ask you why you enjoy a particular activity, what you have learnt from it. They may also interested in how you have balanced your time between studies and other activities. However, remember that tutors make their decisions based on your academic abilities and potential alone: extra-curricular activities do not form part of the selection criteria in any subject.
[/QUOTE]
</p>
<p>The thing is, study in the UK is all about FOCUS. What you have to show in your application is your drive to study the particular subject you have chosen. The exact opposite of the US where being well-rounded is the most important thing. If you apply to the UK you have to choose the course you want to study when you apply (effectively your 'major', but that word doesn't really mean anything here). if you want to change you will probably have to drop out and re-apply, so you have to be sure. Any ECs that are related to your subject of study ARE valuable and should be mentioned in the personal statement on the UCAS for (UK common app UCAS</a> Home Page) eg I wanted to study Biology so I mentioned that I had done some work experience at AstraZeneca, and this inspired my choice of subject. (They like work experience and it's actually compulsory to do some in UK high schools. You even get time off school to do this). Another example might be if you wanted to study English and had acted in a Shakespearian play.</p>