Do extracurriculars really count? What if I am not a captain/club president/editor, etc.?
"Extracurricular activity gives insight into the non-academic interests of an applicant, and ultimately a glimpse into student motivation. While not the most important consideration of an admission committee at Carnegie Mellon, understanding how a student spends time outside the classroom can be an interesting consideration which adds value to building a diverse freshman class. It is typically not the quantity of extracurricular participation, but the quality of it which ends up being an important consideration. A student does not have to be club president, captain, or newspaper editor, etc., but admission committees do appreciate meaningful contributions or experiences that a student may have had outside the classroom."
- Michael Steidel, Director of Admission, Carnegie Mellon University
"What makes a highly selective university highly selective is the applicant pool. Far more qualified applicants will apply than can be accepted. What distinguishes a candidate will be the quality of academic curriculum and extraordinary initiative. But, also, personal qualities and achievement. That usually translates into extracurriculars. Being president is not as important as significant involvement."
- Roland M. Allen, Associate Director of Admissions, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
"Extracurriculars count insofar as they demonstrate his or her capacity to manage time, while doing well academically. The quality of the involvement is always more important than the quantity of the involvement."
- Tony Strickland, Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
"Yes, extracurriculars do count in the admissions process. While not as important as the academic record, the committee on admissions is interested in knowing what each applicant does with her or his time when not in the classroom. Please note that extracurriculars should not be limited to sports and leadership roles. Community service, part-time employment, forensics, boy/girl scouts ... all tell us what you might be expected to share with your fellow classmates should you enroll at our institution."
- Daniel J. Saracino, Assistant Provost for Enrollment, University of Notre Dame
If a student is deferred from an early decision application to the regular applicant pool, is there anything she can or should do to let the school know she really wants to go there?
"Anyone deferred under any circumstances should continue to update the application with new academic or extracurricular information. Send this information three weeks before you expect a subsequent reply to your application."
- Tony Strickland, Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
"By applying under an early decision plan, a student is conveying a decision to enroll at a college or university if accepted. Should the student be deferred to regular decision, further confirmation that the college or university is still a first choice is not necessary. At Carnegie Mellon, if an early decision applicant is deferred to regular decision, it is assumed that we remain a first choice in the process unless the student tells us otherwise. Confirming that the college or university is still a first choice is a nice affirmation to receive, but is not really necessary."
- Michael Steidel, Director of Admission, Carnegie Mellon University
"Follow the instructions given by the particular school. A personal letter stating your sincere interested, followed by forwarding your seventh-semester transcript and any other new academic information, is what I would suggest. Additional (and unsolicited) letters of support are not needed."
- Daniel J. Saracino, Assistant Provost for Enrollment, University of Notre Dame
"If you have been deferred early, call the college admissions office. They will tell you what you might be able to do to enhance your application for regular consideration. It is important that you have the personal contact with the admissions office. Your parents or guidance counselor is not applying."
- Roland M. Allen, Associate Director of Admissions, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
