This post: College admissions during Covid-19: What extracurriculars will make your teen shine?
Written by: Contributing Writer/ Lindsay Cohen
The Covid-19 pandemic has upended the college admissions process in many ways, but the question we hear more often than any other from students and their parents is: what on earth am I supposed to do for extracurricular activities?
After a tumultuous spring last year, many high schools resumed some semi-normal form of teaching and grading. But provisions were not necessarily made to continue athletics, student publications, bands and orchestras, theater productions, math and science teams, and many other clubs and activities that play a major role in students’ college applications, not to mention their high school experiences.
Furthermore, many activities outside school, including volunteer work, research, internships, and supplemental learning opportunities have also been canceled or curtailed. And some students are already worrying about what they’re going to do next summer.
If you’re a high school student (or parent of one), what should you be thinking about for this year and next summer? How can you explore and develop your interests in meaningful ways? How can you continue to showcase your involvement in your school and local communities in ways that top colleges hope to see?
Although everything in this challenging time varies a great deal, even between neighboring towns, here are a few things to keep in mind regarding college admissions during Covid-19 and some recommendations for students who are eager to stay involved in their schools and communities despite the logistical limitations of life in a pandemic.
College Admissions During Covid-19: What Extracurriculars Will Make Your Teen Shine?
Scale Back
First, no student needs to submit a mile-long list of extracurricular activities. Indeed, even before the pandemic, college admissions offices had begun to strongly stress to students and families that what counts in extracurricular activities is quality, not quantity.
What does that mean? It means that participating in two or three activities in which you’re really involved and that mean a lot to you, is much better from an admissions standpoint than popping into seventeen different clubs. Colleges are increasingly looking for “pointy” (rather than “well-rounded”) students; people who know what really interests and excites them.
Meanwhile, Zoom fatigue is real! After all day in front of a screen for remote learning, you may not have the energy for more hours of remote clubs, and that’s fine. Don’t be afraid to limit your activities to a handful that you really care about, whatever those may be. It’s true that some activities are more valuable in the college admissions process than others, so it is best to hone in on significant experiences that will also enrich your applications.
Be A Helper
Community service has long been an important part of college applications. Top schools want to admit students who will use their prestigious educations to make the world a better place, so they’re eager to see community-mindedness in their applicants.
These days our local, national, and world communities need help more than ever! Admissions offices will be thrilled by students who have helped those who are being most affected by the current situation. That doesn’t just mean hospitals, but also older people, racial minorities, people experiencing homelessness or food deprivation, children missing out on school, and many more.
Of course, many traditional volunteer programs at soup kitchens, afterschool programs, and animal shelters are on hold. However, there are still many things you can do. Check out whether food banks have outdoor sorting and packaging opportunities; offer to connect with an isolated older adult by telephone, letter, or video; or organize a food or clothing drive for local shelters.
Get Creative
This is the biggest thing we discuss with our students. The pandemic has put us all in a challenging spot. The question colleges are going to ask is: how did you respond, if you were able? How were you creative, resourceful, and resilient?
If you miss playing with the band, get a few friends together for an outdoor concert series. If you miss the school newspaper, found an online literary magazine, or start a virtual book club. If your athletic season was canceled, put together a video of drills for the team. It may not be as regular as before, but you’ll have shown initiative, leadership, and engagement.
Creativity and initiative can extend beyond school, too. Reach out to community organizations, nonprofits, professors, hospitals, or the like with your resume and explain how you can help. Not everyone will get back to you, but you also might land a fantastic opportunity.
Explore Your Passion
One of the most challenging aspects of the pandemic is the sheer amount of time we seem to have, and the accompanying guilt that we’re not doing more with it. So, take this chance to dive into what really excites you, rather than trying to fill up your resume.
That could mean pursuing your academic interests, which colleges love to see. Yes, there are online classes you can take (some better than others), but consider also reading independently, taking on an at-home science, research, or translation project, or submitting your writing to a competition or publication. Whatever it is you love, use this time to explore it further!
At the same time, if you need a break, colleges will also enjoy seeing students who taught themselves to bake bread, or created a knitting circle with their neighbors, or started learning a new language. A new hobby is a great way to stay productive while also having fun.
Stay Sane
Believe it or not, we frequently remind our students and their parents that it is absolutely okay, wonderful, even, to slow down and take a break.
If and when you feel yourself getting stressed or overwhelmed, breathe and reboot. Don’t overschedule yourself; leave time for movies, music, games, and goofing off with your friends in whatever way you can. Most importantly, get the sleep and exercise you need.
Finally, Remember That You Are Not Alone
There is not a single high school student in the United States, or even the world, who is not going through some version of what you are experiencing right now. College admissions officers absolutely know and understand this fact, and they will evaluate your application in context.
Nevertheless, you also don’t have to give up on having a fulfilling and enriching high school experience! Nor do you have to give up your dream of applying to and attending a selective school! The year ahead may not be what you expected, but there’s still so much you can do. Think about what really interests you, focus on what’s possible in your community, and then try your best to get creative. You might be surprised at just how much you can do and how much colleges will value your ability to adapt and manage during these unprecedented times.
Spark Admissions is a Boston-based admissions consulting firm that helps students around the world gain admission to their best-fit colleges, universities, and private schools. We provide expert guidance on every step of preparing for and applying to college—but we don’t stop there. We view the college preparation period as a time for skill-set development. Further, we help students navigate the academic demands of high school, gain practical experience through internships, heighten their leadership and communication skills, and explore new academics and extracurriculars to build the strongest possible application.
For specialized college consulting services, contact Spark Admissions HERE.
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