40 percent of students who participate in extracurricular activities are more likely to receive scholarships.
Getting Ahead
Many organizations offer scholarships to students who demonstrate exceptional skills or dedication to a particular field. Participating in debate teams, for example, can help students develop strong public speaking and argumentation skills, making them more attractive to scholarship committees.
Community Involvement
Volunteering is another extracurricular activity that can increase a student's chances of receiving a scholarship. Many organizations value community service and offer scholarships to students who have made significant contributions to their communities. Students who participate in volunteer work demonstrate their commitment to helping others and making a positive impact, which can be an important factor in scholarship decisions.
Students who participate in sports, music, or art programs can also be eligible for scholarships, as these activities demonstrate their ability to balance academics with other pursuits.
Expert opinions
I'm Emily Wilson, a seasoned college counselor with over a decade of experience in guiding students through the complex process of college admissions and scholarship applications. As an expert on the topic "What extracurriculars help get scholarships?", I'm delighted to share my knowledge with you.
When it comes to securing scholarships, extracurricular activities play a vital role in making a student's application stand out. Colleges and scholarship committees look for students who demonstrate a passion for learning, leadership, and community involvement beyond the classroom. The right extracurricular activities can not only enhance a student's academic profile but also showcase their unique talents, skills, and character.
So, what extracurriculars help get scholarships? Here are some of the most impactful ones:
- Leadership roles: Holding a leadership position in a school club, sports team, or volunteer organization demonstrates a student's ability to manage, motivate, and inspire others. This can be a powerful indicator of their potential for success in college and beyond.
- Community service: Engaging in volunteer work, charity events, or environmental projects showcases a student's commitment to giving back to their community. This can be particularly appealing to scholarship committees that value social responsibility and civic engagement.
- Academic teams: Participating in academic teams, such as debate, quiz bowl, or science Olympiad, demonstrates a student's intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. These activities can be especially attractive to colleges that emphasize academic excellence.
- Arts and music: Pursuing artistic or musical interests, such as playing an instrument, singing, or creating visual art, can showcase a student's creativity, talent, and dedication. This can be particularly valuable for scholarships that focus on the arts or humanities.
- Sports and athletics: Participating in sports teams or individual athletic pursuits, such as running or swimming, demonstrates a student's discipline, teamwork, and physical fitness. This can be appealing to colleges that value athletic achievement and teamwork.
- Research and science projects: Conducting research, participating in science fairs, or working on innovative projects showcases a student's scientific curiosity, analytical skills, and potential for discovery. This can be especially attractive to colleges that emphasize STEM education.
- Language and cultural exchange: Participating in language clubs, cultural exchange programs, or international volunteer work demonstrates a student's interest in global issues, language skills, and cultural competence. This can be valuable for scholarships that focus on international studies or language proficiency.
- Entrepreneurship and business: Starting a small business, participating in entrepreneurship competitions, or developing innovative products or services showcases a student's entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and business acumen. This can be appealing to colleges that emphasize entrepreneurship and innovation.
- Environmental and outdoor activities: Participating in environmental clubs, outdoor adventure programs, or conservation efforts demonstrates a student's commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and outdoor education. This can be particularly valuable for scholarships that focus on environmental studies or conservation.
- Unique talents and hobbies: Pursuing unusual talents or hobbies, such as playing a rare instrument, writing poetry, or creating digital art, can showcase a student's individuality, creativity, and passion. This can be especially attractive to colleges that value diversity and creative expression.
In conclusion, the right extracurricular activities can significantly enhance a student's chances of securing scholarships. By choosing activities that align with their interests, passions, and strengths, students can demonstrate their unique value and potential to colleges and scholarship committees. As a college counselor, I've seen firsthand how the right extracurriculars can make a student's application stand out and increase their chances of receiving scholarships. I hope this information has been helpful, and I wish you all the best in your academic and extracurricular pursuits!
Q: What types of extracurricular activities are most attractive to scholarship providers?
A: Activities that demonstrate leadership, community service, and academic excellence are highly valued. Examples include student council, volunteer work, and academic teams. These activities showcase a student's well-rounded personality and capabilities.
Q: Do sports extracurriculars increase scholarship chances?
A: Yes, participating in sports can increase scholarship chances, especially for students who excel in their sport. Many colleges and universities offer athletic scholarships to talented student-athletes. However, academic performance is still a crucial factor.
Q: Can music or art extracurriculars lead to scholarships?
A: Yes, music and art extracurriculars can lead to scholarships, particularly for students who demonstrate exceptional talent. Many organizations and colleges offer scholarships to students who excel in music, art, or other creative fields. A strong portfolio or audition can help students stand out.
Q: How important are community service extracurriculars for scholarships?
A: Community service extracurriculars are highly valued by scholarship providers, as they demonstrate a student's commitment to social responsibility. Volunteering, fundraising, and other community service activities can strengthen a student's scholarship application. Consistency and dedication to community service are key.
Q: Can leadership roles in extracurriculars improve scholarship chances?
A: Yes, holding leadership roles in extracurriculars can significantly improve scholarship chances. Leadership positions demonstrate a student's ability to manage, motivate, and inspire others. Scholarship providers often look for students who have demonstrated leadership potential and a willingness to take on challenges.
Q: Are academic extracurriculars, such as debate or robotics, beneficial for scholarships?
A: Yes, academic extracurriculars like debate, robotics, or science Olympiad can be highly beneficial for scholarships. These activities demonstrate a student's academic abilities, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Participation in academic extracurriculars can make a student's application more competitive.
Q: Do extracurriculars need to be directly related to the field of study for scholarship eligibility?
A: Not always, but it can be beneficial if they are. While some scholarships require extracurriculars to be directly related to the field of study, others value a student's overall character, skills, and experiences. A well-rounded extracurricular profile can still be attractive to scholarship providers, even if it's not directly related to the field of study.
Sources
- McClure, M. K. Winning Scholarships. New York: Peterson’s, 2019.
- Leonard, A. The Scholarship Handbook. Chicago: McGraw-Hill, 2018.
- “How to Get a Scholarship”. Site: US News – usnews.com
- “Scholarship Search”. Site: Fastweb – fastweb.com
