ACTIVITIES Colleges DON'T Care About - I Learned This The Hard Way...

Summary

In this video, Greg Smith shares his personal experience of overloading on extracurricular activities in high school, only to realize that quitting most of them was the key to finding success in college admissions. He discusses which activities are not valuable for college applications, such as generic sports and volunteer work, and emphasizes the importance of focusing on leadership, creativity, and passion-driven projects. Greg encourages students to quit activities that don't align with their true interests, advocating for quality over quantity in extracurricular involvement to stand out in the competitive college admissions process.

Takeaways

• 😀 It's important to focus on meaningful activities rather than doing things just for college applications.
• 😀 Signing up for too many clubs can lead to stress and burnout, and may not improve your college chances.
• 😀 Quitting extracurricular activities can give you more time to focus on what truly matters and leads to success.
• 😀 College admissions care more about quality, dedication, and leadership in activities than the quantity of activities you participate in.
• 😀 Sports, while valuable for personal development, aren't always important for college applications unless you're highly skilled or a team leader.
• 😀 Volunteer work should align with your interests and passions, not just be done to accumulate hours for college applications.
• 😀 Colleges value volunteer work that is creative and unique, such as starting a club that connects to your passion, rather than traditional service roles.
• 😀 Joining random clubs or filling in your application with generic activities won't make you stand out in the college admissions process.
• 😀 Leadership roles in clubs or being a founder of an initiative show colleges that you are proactive and dedicated.
• 😀 The contributions you make to a club or activity are more important than the title you hold, such as president or member.
• 😀 It's better to leave out irrelevant or generic activities on your college application to ensure your strengths shine through.

Q & A

Why does the speaker consider joining multiple clubs a mistake?

The speaker believes joining too many clubs is a mistake because it leads to stress and burnout. Despite thinking that it would impress colleges, it ultimately detracts from their ability to focus on meaningful activities and personal growth.

What advice does the speaker give regarding quitting activities?

The speaker advises that quitting activities can be beneficial. Quitting frees up time and energy to focus on pursuits that are more meaningful and aligned with personal passions, which can positively impact college applications.

What is the speaker's stance on sports as an extracurricular activity for college applications?

The speaker argues that sports are generally not a standout activity for college applications unless you are exceptionally talented or in a leadership role, such as a team captain. Sports can consume a lot of time without showcasing unique qualities that colleges seek, such as creativity or leadership.

Why does the speaker think volunteer work should be meaningful?

Volunteer work should align with the student's passions and interests, not be done solely to fill a college admissions requirement. Colleges value volunteer work that demonstrates creativity, dedication, and personal commitment to causes that resonate with the applicant.

What type of volunteer work does the speaker suggest colleges prefer?

Colleges prefer volunteer work that is directly related to a student's interests or career goals. For example, tutoring English to ESL students if the student is interested in language, or organizing a fundraiser related to a scientific cause if the student is passionate about biology.

How can high school clubs contribute to a college application?

Participation in high school clubs can contribute positively to a college application if the student takes on a leadership role, contributes meaningfully to the club, or starts a new club that aligns with their passions. Colleges value leadership, initiative, and the ability to make an impact.

What is the speaker's advice regarding club memberships on a college application?

The speaker advises that simply being a member of a club isn't enough. Colleges care more about the student's contributions and leadership roles within the club. Founding a club or showing proactive leadership in an existing one can make a more significant impression.

What is the problem with adding random activities to a college application?

Adding random activities, such as a summer job at a fast food chain or mandatory school service days, can dilute the impact of more meaningful extracurriculars. The speaker suggests focusing on a few significant activities that truly showcase the student's strengths and passions.

How can students demonstrate leadership through extracurricular activities?

Students can demonstrate leadership by taking on roles such as a club officer, founding a new club, or implementing creative solutions to problems within existing clubs. Leadership is valued by colleges, especially when it involves making a positive change or contributing in a meaningful way.

What should students focus on when choosing extracurricular activities for college applications?

Students should focus on activities that align with their personal interests and passions. Instead of doing activities just to impress admissions officers, students should choose extracurriculars that allow them to demonstrate creativity, leadership, and dedication to causes they care about.