I. Why Extracurricular Activities?
While academic achievement is at the very top of the criteria the UCs consider, the majority of the UCs also pay close attention to applicant achievements outside of the classroom. Given how competitive the top UCs are, extracurricular activities are also a way for you to distinguish yourself from other applicants. Make sure you balance your school work with your extracurricular activities during the school year and plan ahead for summer activities but NEVER sacrifice your grades for extracurricular activities.
Extracurricular activities encompass anything you do outside of the school. As long as you have devoted time and excelled in what you do, it doesn’t matter if you are a cheerleader, a school club secretary, the student body president, the church choir lead, the youth orchestra flute section leader, the state yo-yo champion, a homeless shelter volunteer, a barista at the local coffee shop, or in charge of taking care of your 6 siblings while your parents work 5 jobs. Competitive UCs generally like to see applicants with demonstrated leadership potential, and the best way to do this is by describing your academic and/or extracurricular achievements in your UC Application.
II. What is Leadership?
So what exactly is leadership? This is how the UCLA Alumni Scholarship Program defines it:
Individual Leadership Qualities
Group Leadership Qualities
III. Activities and Programs
Below are some activities and programs we have come across over the years. Broaden your search beyond the Internet; check with your high school career center for local opportunities and browse the library reference section for guidebooks on summer programs and internship opportunities.
While academic achievement is at the very top of the criteria the UCs consider, the majority of the UCs also pay close attention to applicant achievements outside of the classroom. Given how competitive the top UCs are, extracurricular activities are also a way for you to distinguish yourself from other applicants. Make sure you balance your school work with your extracurricular activities during the school year and plan ahead for summer activities but NEVER sacrifice your grades for extracurricular activities.
Extracurricular activities encompass anything you do outside of the school. As long as you have devoted time and excelled in what you do, it doesn’t matter if you are a cheerleader, a school club secretary, the student body president, the church choir lead, the youth orchestra flute section leader, the state yo-yo champion, a homeless shelter volunteer, a barista at the local coffee shop, or in charge of taking care of your 6 siblings while your parents work 5 jobs. Competitive UCs generally like to see applicants with demonstrated leadership potential, and the best way to do this is by describing your academic and/or extracurricular achievements in your UC Application.
II. What is Leadership?
So what exactly is leadership? This is how the UCLA Alumni Scholarship Program defines it:
Individual Leadership Qualities
- Shows initiative, takes charge, sets priorities.
- Displays intelligence, good judgment, confidence and self-knowledge.
- Accepts responsibilities willingly and eagerly.
- Demonstrates courage, resolution, and steadiness.
- Manages, decides, and sets priorities.
- Exhibits perseverance, ingenuity, creativity, and dynamism in solving problems.
- Seeks opportunities and surmounts obstacles, including challenging the status quo.
Group Leadership Qualities
- Sets an example through commitment and action.
- Works collaboratively with others.
- Guides changes and improvements.
- Makes plans, motivates, follows through and guides the participation of others so that all will benefit.
- Delegates, trains and shares the responsibility and the credit.
- Demonstrates selflessness and consideration of others.
- Assesses potential in others.
- Shows understanding of followers/constituents, and their needs.
- Skilled in dealing with people, shows social perceptiveness.
- Able to win and hold trust.
- Exhibits adaptability and flexibility in approach.
III. Activities and Programs
Below are some activities and programs we have come across over the years. Broaden your search beyond the Internet; check with your high school career center for local opportunities and browse the library reference section for guidebooks on summer programs and internship opportunities.
- Community Service and Volunteering
- Volunteer Matching Services
- Year-Round Opportunities
- Educational Preparation Programs
- Internships
- Summer Programs