In this article, you’ll learn why my college essays and extracurriculars worked so well together in the college admission process.
It will also serve as the third and final part of this series.
To recap…
…here’s what I wrote in my college essays (Part 1):
- Family conflict
- Supporting my family
- Struggles with mental health issues
- Lessons learned
- Goal of becoming a psychologist
…here’s a list of my extracurriculars (Part 2):
- Psychological research (2 years)
- ASB (3 years)
- Honor society president (3 years)
- Took a graduate-level course at UCLA (1 semester)
- Contributor in a psychology textbook (1 year)
Table of Contents
Understanding the role they play
Embed from Getty ImagesIt is important to understand the unique and overlapping roles they each play.
The goal of your college essays is to set the stage and establish your narrative.
Questions to consider when writing your essays:
- What story best describes me?
- What’s the message I want to convey?
- What’s the theme?
- What are the lessons learned?
- How has it made me a better person?
- What personal, concrete examples can I mention?
On the other hand, your extracurriculars must demonstrate and build off of this narrative.
Think of it this way: Your essays establish WHY you’re interested in the major and your extracurriculars demonstrate HOW you have shown this interest.
Why mine worked well together
Embed from Getty ImagesMy essays and extracurriculars worked well together because they explained the WHY and the HOW.
In my essays, I described my struggles with mental health issues and desire to help children in similar situations as the reasons why I want to become a clinical psychologist.
Admission officers also understood how I demonstrated my interest in mental health and research by making certain that every activity I referenced directly connected to them.
Top 3 mistakes to avoid
Embed from Getty ImagesMistake #1 – Don’t be well-rounded
Committing to many different extracurriculars hurts applicants in the admission process because they constantly redirect the reader’s attention from your narrative/main point.
It is also unclear who you are as a person, what your passions/values are, or why you are interested in the major.
Admission officers prefer applicants who have a passion project or specialize in a few areas because they demonstrate what’s important to you.
Remember, a jack of all trades is a master of none so don’t commit to activities because you think “it will look good” to colleges.
Do this instead: Focus on activities that have personal meaning and reflect who you are as a person and what you’re passionate about.
- Write down your interests (subjects, field/careers, hobbies, academic pursuits)
- Do your research (Google nearby organizations, check your school, Indeed)
- Consider your options (intern in public/private sector, start a non-profit/club, volunteer)
- Narrow your list to 3-5 potential extracurriculars
- Put your plan into action (reach out, apply)
- Think of what you want your passion project in those organizations to be
- Start EARLY (2-3 years before applying)!
Mistake #2 – Not sticking to your script
Similar to the previous mistake, going off script dilutes or takes away from your main message and it becomes unclear what your point is.
This is one of the most common mistakes applicants make because the assumption is writing more things is good (when the opposite is true).
Imagine if movies were like this – most people would be upset or, at the very least, confused.
Do this instead: The story you tell must be clear and organized. Ask yourself what message/theme you want to convey to your readers. It could be about your resilience in the face of adversity or maybe an event that inspired you.
Examples of themes:
- Helping elderly in palliative care cope with mental health issues
- Teaching children with disabilities
- Teaching students in low-income areas
- Providing free medical service to minorities in low-income areas
- Researching issues among LGBTQ+ community
Think of it this way: Your message is your story while your theme is your brand.
Mistake #3 – Disconnect between your essays and extracurriculars
There needs to be a strong connection between your essays and extracurriculars. The strength of this connection will suggest to the readers your level of seriousness for the major.
Remember, the purpose of your essays is to express WHY you’re interested in the program and your extracurriculars show HOW you’ve demonstrated that interest.
They must work together to sell your story!
Do this instead: Only introduce extracurriculars that build off of the message/theme you laid out in your essays.
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