7 OVERRATED Extracurricular Activities In College Admissions

[@AchievEDPrep]

Please listen to the important message at the beginning! And remember that this mainly applies to top colleges only!

[@Foo_rina]

wait! how did u! get so many sub!

[@juliemarie8963]

@Kathryne Vicencio Scam

[@delaneyboston6806]

I'm glad someone finally said student government is pointless and a popularity contest omg

[@irenekim483]

I wouldn’t say pointless lol with the right intentions it’s something that can actually be really beneficial and a learning experience for many of the student leaders involved. It’s just depends on how serious you want to take your position and what you want to focus on leading the class and student body.

[@kans01a76]

lmaoo defs in other schools but in mine there's no student voting instead you interveiw and get letters of recomendations for teachers then the head decides

[@jessicac8090]

Yeah exactly it’s a huge popularity contest and nobody cares if your part of it besides the other kids who are also in it

[@masongoodwyn9006]

Nah, its not pointless if you are the class or vice president and you do a ton of fundraising or events to talk about, it helped me a ton as class president to get into T'20s

[@ariiblink]

I mean it’s not pointless and it might look good for college apps but it’s useless if you do nothing to it, at least in my school its a popularity contest the most “popular” girl in my class was class president for literally 3 years and when I tell you she did NOTHING, she only won the elections because she had many friends that voted for her and to be honest no one in my school cared for student government.

[@drewdeves9923]

NHS is sooooo overrated and I’m an executive officer in the club 😫

[@sourishw.5865]

Same!! Sigh... Although it still accomplishes a lot in terms of community impact at my school

[@straykeeeds3466]

As an upcoming freshman who wants to do NHS, why is it overrated when they give out scholarships? I didnt join njhs in middle school cuz someone else told me it was pointless but my friend got a $500 scholarship and I felt so guilty for not doing it :(

[@drewdeves9923]

@@straykeeeds3466 no def do it ! It helped me get into Georgetown and has awesome scholarship opportunities. But the club itself did nothing really (no fundraisers, etc) but this could’ve just been my school. Plus basically everyone in my school was in it so it didn’t feel special. It was just good to pad on a resume. And if you can get scholarship money than def do it

[@straykeeeds3466]

@@drewdeves9923 ok thanks so much and wow Georgetown! That's my dream school lol but no way am I getting in. Good for you!

[@drewdeves9923]

@@straykeeeds3466 thanks so much! Good luck. Don’t count yourself out- apply anyways you never know!

[@toade2441]

AS someone who was in the NHS, you're absolutely right. There were a lot of members which proves ur point that they accept literally anyone and basically we don't bother to take initiative, the community work is practically given to us. Of course we had the chance whether or not we wanted to do it, but you wound up having to stress out and do the community work because you need those hours to get your stole (at least in my school, that was how it worked). But other than it being overrated, I guess it was nice to join some sort of extracurricular activity and getting my stole made it pretty worth it in the end.

[@neidaquinones2798]

Definitely agree

[@mango11119]

I'm planning on establishing a social studies chapter of NHS at my school junior yr bc I have a passion for history. Please be perfectly honest is this impressive or would college admissions not care??

[@radiantvalor]

Same experience for me, as long as you have at least average or above average intelligence or work ethic you can get in easily if you want to, about 75% of the kids I know are in NHS

[@ontrada]

@@mango11119 Did you do it?

[@justsomeguywithasandwich5906]

One thing I find hard about rising in ranks in a club is that most of the time, leadership spots are usually given to students who are popular, rather than the amount of effort they put in. Yes, they would also need to put in a lot of work, but I have seen many people who have work very hard, yet was never given the chance to get into a leadership position due to them being introverted.

[@medogerty6013]

Ayyyy! I have absolutely zero interest in anything NHS related, so I never applied. Was worried it’d damage my apps but it sounds like it helped for me not to join so I could have more time for they things I’m actually very into

[@Gordon...Ramsay]

ayo same, all my friends are in nhs except me, i don't care enough and i'd rather do my own stuff

[@meh563]

At the end of the day, extracurricular activities like NHS, key club, student government, etc... doesn't matter. What only matter is if you had an officer position in those clubs. however, getting one is hard because winning an officer position is like a popularity contest 😬

[@kenlandon6130]

1:16 Join NHS for scholarship cash (it offers a crap ton of $5,000 scholarships that are moderately difficult to get), NOT for your college apps.

[@farrahjordan1396]

A girl at my school convinced students to vote for her to be the student council president. After she got the position, she never mentioned the club again. She does nothing. 🙄

[@farrahjordan1396]

3:41 I’m a sophomore. I applied and got accepted to an architecture summer camp at the university of Houston. They required my high school transcript and at least a 3.5 gpa. And they only accept up to 50 students. Not only that, I already know that I want to go to college there because I like their architecture degree. So when I apply to the actual university, the fact that I attended their architecture summer program while still in high school won’t make me stand out?

[@keenankulpanapat886]

Finally someone said NHS!!!! I literally have officer positions in two clubs whereas most members in NHS have nothing

[@angelesg0957]

If I may know, is it difficult to have an officer position in a club? I have been thinking about applying for a position but I am worried that it could be too much to handle. Any feedback would be appreciated :)

[@sairishithatamma3821]

@@angelesg0957 I personally would say that it depends on the club, the role, and your commitment to it. I'm an officer in a few of our school clubs and some take maybe 4 hours a week, whereas others take like 30 minutes.

[@angelesg0957]

@@sairishithatamma3821 Thanks, I appreciate it!!!

[@khaho1756]

This is really reassuring because I thought I would miss out a lot for college if I didn’t join

[@tap6943]

It is not the activities ever. It is what you learn from the activities that count. Everything you do can be meaningful. In example: popularity is a great quality. It means you are able to gain the strongest approval and support from people around you. Title should say: Ways to make 7 EA's pointless in College Admission or Ways to make 7 EA's meaningful in College Admission

[@lifeofamaka6479]

I’m literally only in it for my cord.

[@lovenoirrr]

literally same

[@dchang11]

I did two extracurriculars in high school: Model UN and Football, with sports taking most of the time. My outside activity was volunteering at a Chinese School. I was primarily invested in the weight room and attended a few MUN conferences once the season ended. During my junior/senior year, I attended one of those expensive summer camps because I wanted to study International Relations. It's eye-opening because you meet privileged students bound for the Ivies and later attended one for graduate school. Still, it will not make a difference unless you are serious about it. Admissions officers will notice. Most schools, including my top choice, took me for my commitment to football because of my goals, not my other activities.

[@ontrada]

Were you a good player or on a state championship team?

[@dchang11]

I wasn't a standout or on a championship team, but I was a key contributor to the squad. Many of the young players looked up to me because my younger brother was friends with them.

[@keenankulpanapat886]

NHS IS SOOO OVERRATED FINALLY SOMEONE SAID IT

[@vanshitakalra1029]

It's funny how till now modelUns are the only extracurriculars I have😭

[@whiskeydark8011]

I graduated with NHS. I threw everything they gave me from the certificate to pins and cap and gown. Its not recognized or respected by anyone. The importance is equivalent to a title you get in a video game you completed in hard mode. Its just a name you accomplished something but no one cares.

[@chelseaalwell6443]

At the end of the day, you should be volunteering because you want to help and because you are passionate about it.

[@kenlandon6130]

2:42 Eh if you want to go to a BS/MD hospital volunteering is essential (at least pre-COVID)

[@allanpalacios8399]

I put on my app that i like to go to the gym and cook and I got into columbia

[@shatterlss7814]

It's interesting that you're saying some things don't matter, but college admission teams do care about volunteerism and leadership roles. Some students will do those things naturally, but others need a club/activity as a means of finding opportunities and taking on leadership roles. It's true that it doesn't necessarily matter WHICH activities, but some clubs are more likely to give you space to find service work and leadership opportunities (Key Club, NHS, FCCLA, etc.). Even if it's "mandatory," research shows that participating in charitable service for any reason makes a person more likely to adopt a service mindset and perform service work later in their lives. College admission officers are aware of this and it will give them insight into what kind of member of their college community you will be.

[@connorm2177]

My local hospital has a program for High Schoolers that is meant to show them the day-to-day lives of physicians, and I'm interested in being pre-med in college. Would you say that one is worth it, or nah?

[@AchievEDPrep]

Yes, I would take these opportunities! It's much more specific than activities like NHS, and at the very least it gives you experience and helps you determine whether pre-med is right for you.

[@dchang11]

I did one of those expensive summer programs in high school, and it made a difference in my application. If you are serious about studying the topic and can afford it, do it. You get to meet students bound for the Ivies, so getting rejuvenated on your ambitions is a good thing.

[@DrPrag]

Just like you said in the title, they are overrated. However doesn’t mean students can’t do them. Some students may have limited access to special activities like helping Native Indian children from families with alcohol addiction or etc., and these seven activities are what only available to the students. In some schools’ NHS also organize very good community services and activities that are impactful. If the student could write an amazing personal story from the participation of these seven activities in his/her college application essays, it would significantly impact the admission officer too. This video somewhat may mislead watchers if watchers don’t carefully give some thoughts.

[@AchievEDPrep]

Yes, I hope I make it clear in the video that I'm not saying that students should not do these activities. But rather if they do these activities, they are putting work into them.

[@nabi5864]

There's actually a "College Decision & Stat/ECs Reveal" video of a girl who actually did pretty much all of these overrated ECs.... She of course had all the prequsite high stats.... Thing is she got rejected to all her top choices which were in the top half of Tier 1s ...She actually cried when she got rejected by her Dream School... When she reveals her EC's it was pretty much everything this video mentioned ...It had that "Just Did It To Get Into Tier 1" written all over it ...I think she did end a couple Tier 1 though , but the lower half

[@matthewantin4728]

I hope my extracurriculars are fine, I've done like 10 different clubs and sports, held officer positions in 3, cofounded a red cross club, founded a model un club, and was sworn in as an official member of my towns government to work on the youth commission.

[@valentinar529]

that’s good

[@zionalexander1190]

might wanna look into community college 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@JustAnotherLokiStan]

That's really great, but I would suggest that you include only the ones that are really prestigious, in your application. Just being a member in several different clubs won't help at all. Instead, focus on the ones you founded/co founded/got significant awards in. That'll bring out the important things you've done and also show the fact that you know what you want to do and don't just waste your time flitting around between different clubs without any commitment or attachment.

[@Andrux0821]

NHS is really more of an academic honors than an activity.

[@ishaanguha331]

First one is just facts thats why I didn’t join. You gotta stand out in other regions.

[@ivi122]

Great video. I agree with everything you said

[@stephengyamfi8239]

I generally like your informative and insightful vlogs. But if all these ECs ain't valuable, then which ones are? May be, you need to do one titled, "ECs that admissions officers care about."

[@kimberly-qp3qi]

wait so what am i supposed to do? i want to do a summer program for research projects, i started a organization for PPE, and i want to like work/volunteer at hospitals because it relates to the major i want to major in. i'm not doing these things just for the colleges attention, i'm doing it bc i enjoy it and put effort into them. so what do i do?

[@AchievEDPrep]

Do them!! My point in this video is that *simply* have these activities will do you little good, however if you actually put time into them, they are really good for college apps! Plus, not everything is for college apps, so at the very least you can do this for your own enrichment.

[@hboig8676]

Nah those activities are fire, just that most people who do them aren't passionate about them and they can't really talk about it so if you wanna do it go for it. Especially if you wanna do med, which it sounds like you wanna do. Elite unis won't really accept pre-med students without research afaik.

[@zanmar6764]

Another great video!

[@dwightross1694]

I been telling people for a long time National honor society is BS my niece thought about joining I told her I’d focus on finding what u like to do and what your good at and how you can share that with people. At the end of it all college or no college connections with people is the absolute most important in life. It’s how you make money and make significant moves in life. Also remember college is a business first and a school second.

[@nabi5864]

Attended #1 Ranked HighSchool , #1 Ranked Student, 6.0/20APs all 5s scores/ 1600SAT/36ACT + Cured Cancer/Brought World Peace/ Both Parents Board Members/ Team Capt won 4x Nationals(Sports & Academics)/ Chess World GrandMaster/ Master Musician /Wrote Pulitzer Winning Book / Won the Nobel Peace / Invented the Time Machine..... WAITLISTED

[@Michael-ti5nf]

Thank you for the video. I actually run a nonprofit but I love doing it and have regional recognition for my work. We also have members from around the world, and I definitely plan on discussing it in my essays and continuing it after college admissions. It will also be in one of my letters of recommendation. Should I continue?

[@yasminnour1851]

Of coursee, you're the exception he talked abt. You literally had RECOGNITION for your work, that means it was an impactful activity, and also you would like to continue it after going to college, so it clearly shows that you're passionate abt what u do

[@mikeab5898]

No. You shouldn’t continue because somebody in the KZbin comments said so. Smh why even ask. If you were able to reason out your conundrum this far why dangle a stupid question for a mere response

[@yostinakhalf4191]

I am a member at scout since I was young so it is like a part of my personalty also I am looking to make a non profit project about teaching kids who can't go to school, and my last extracurricular is working as choreographer online in addition to summer programs related to my major is that good or too generic?

[@kgirl1019]

Thank you so much for reaffirming what we pretty much already knew. My daughter just withdrew from her NHS nomination because it will take up too much of her time. Her time is valuable to her. She has other very important, character building activities in her life. And she already chose her college, who do not care if she’s in NHS or not. We met w them and they told us - without directly telling us - that it doesn’t matter. I know the kids in NHS don’t even do anything that drastically life changing. It’s a sticker, and an embroidered logo, and a certificate that goes in a box in the closet. For what?? It may have held more respect years ago. Not anymore.

[@Foo_rina]

nice vid!

[@AchievEDPrep]

Thanks!

[@Foo_rina]

@@AchievEDPrep :D

[@Fred-ql3gq]

NHS is on my "Awards & Achievements", not "Extracurricular Activities". Better?

[@toxicyasuo2897]

How is that an award idk brk

[@Fred-ql3gq]

@@toxicyasuo2897 it's an achievement

[@1steelpenfan113]

I agree with most of these, but as far as the missions trips go, they are definitely not overrated. At least not in my experience. Our church fundraises for them so that teens pay little to no cost to go on them. Then they’re required to train for a week to learn how to talk to those who are misfortunate and are given simulations to get an idea of how it is they live. Under the right intentions, teens are given a great opportunity to spread the word of God and it really opens up doors for not only them but the people they are reaching through His word as well.

[@AC-qi3we]

Thank you and great information! What about peer tutoring and being like the leaders of peer tutoring?

[@Drone256]

How do you know?? What you are saying makes logical sense, but other than that how do you know what the heck admissions thinks about this stuff?

[@s_e_t_z3248]

If anyone sees this, I was rejected from NHS because I wasn't diversified in my volunteering enough. I spend 100+ on a select few things, which I personally believe is more valuable then half-assing an abundance of volunteer opportunities instead of becoming extremely involved in a few. Will this hurt me in the long run? I have a very good GPA and strong EC's as well as some personal tech-related projects that may look good. Just curious. I'm not sweating it too much, but it kind of pissed me off because it benefitted those who were just doing it for the hours rather than those who really cared.

[@cheekywombat9208]

Nope. NHS is just a means to take part in those activities that may be helpful in your credentials, networking with other people, or your career. If those are activities that you can continue to do without NHS, then NHS would not be that valuable. Those ECs and personal projects will be much more important, and most of the different NHS do not have benefits that compensate for the effort (and maybe money) as good compared to other means outside the NHS.

[@calligraphylettering2933]

Should I join NHS? I already am part of an organization where I get volunteer hours and a presidential award. I don’t want to join NHS if I already am getting community service from somewhere else.

[@colinmccarthy2114]

If I get rejected from the national honors society is it a make or break for any good colleges, or is it just an extra thing to have under your resume?

[@devinnutter9277]

Bro my NHS chapter rejected 2/3 of the applicants

[@drummerboy0620]

That’s not common. Most schools just let anyone in

[@Foo_rina]

Hey! im almost at 100! also do u use final cut pro x to edit cuz i recognize the transition. if u do, i do too!

[@MrLizgovea]

Do you have a video of the recomendable extracurricular activities that helps for college admision.

[@sashaermilova2143]

What about the summer programs where you apply and be selected, and then pay or get financial aid from the program?

[@Jimothy-723]

i feel like being in one honors society doesnt mean much... but being in basicaly all of the honors societies as if you have been collecting them like pokemon cards is something totaly different.

[@right9769]

everyone is and will all be all well and good

[@MrDanglyLegs]

What do you use to edit your videos?

[@Benjamin-l1y4j]

I like that Somone called out NHS like what’s the point

[@emperoreaston8433]

what about Yale Young Global Scholars or Harvard Undergraduate International Relations Scholars Program? These are selective. What are your thoughts?

[@btsarmy.saranghae7492]

Do you have any recommandation for international students? Anything similar to wolfram high school pogram?

[@Gordon...Ramsay]

If you have a around $5000 for 3 weeks camp at a top liberal arts college (that provides college credit), would that err on the more useful side or not? I don't know if their admit rates were more lax for the summer program.

[@teasession2140]

guys which one is better for college? NHS or student council

[@calligraphylettering2933]

I think if you have a board position in student council, it stands out more.

[@jessicac8090]

Probably student council not that it’s a good thing since it’s usually just a big popularity contest tbh

[@drummerboy0620]

Student council, but make your membership notable. Do something that makes you stand out. Being Student Body President won’t do anything for you unless you do notable things with the position

[@waelwil328]

@@drummerboy0620i am running for stuco but I am not really sure how to stand out with something more special if u could help

[@lingormhauth]

If I were the President of the National honor society would that help me?

[@bohuazhang9145]

Hi! I wanted to organize a music club called the WL Student Music Association of Readiness and Technique (SMART) to give out free music private lessons, perform music, and attend music competitions. Do you have any suggestions or tips on where to start?

[@ontrada]

Did you do it?

I disagree on #1 it's what you achieve while in it.

[@kenlandon6130]

7:33 WTF is that

[@iNoodl3s]

Bruh I knew I wasn't the only one who sniffed out those nonprofits EASILY in high school

[@shalazoo8806]

What about njhs National junior honors society

[@pixiet7321]

Do it. It's a great precursor for NHS

[@nsrivatsa5167]

Those trips people take are just their parents shelling out money for them to do things they could do at home.

[@jacklynn.7150]

Would it be different if you were the one that started the initiative to bring a large club to your school? I'm trying to start a Key Club at my relatively small high school for multiple reasons, and I do have an interest in it, I'm just not sure if there will be people interested in working with me for htis.

[@justanotherweirdo11]

Late but yes that would make a difference.

[@jhopestan4517]

Would going to nationals in speech in debate set you apart from other members?

[@scarmackd1498]

Debate is probably the most valued skill of any EC, so absolutely

[@charlieroth8696]

Opinion on Latin club?

[@kafka738]

Can you recommend the extra curriculums help for college applications?

[@laila.simone]

Create your own club related to something that you are interested in. It shows initiative and passion, especially if your club is able to accomplish something big.

[@scarmackd1498]

Exactly, I'm doing that rn and it's very difficult, but definitely looks great, and it's pretty interesting to try and organize

[@saivigneshnaragoni6987]

I want to get into MIT but didn't have any extra circulars yet. Can you help me to get into MIT. And I'm currently studying in grade 12 in India.

[@kireikotomine3264]

Same bro can you tell me also if u found something

[@tiffy_loves]

Hobbies and things you spend a lot of time on outside of school are extracurriculars as well.

[@bongbongtravels6108]

All this BS is exactly the program for rich kids by their very expensive private counselors.

[@k..l-8818]

I just glad I joined NJHS so I can get my hours 😅

[@subzero8344]

Honestly this video is BS. Most kids don’t have equal nor many opportunities. A lot of the extracurriculars you listed are common for a reason… what the hell are we supposed to do?? Form a billion dollar company? Cure cancer? Form a new country? Like come on.

[@scarmackd1498]

Creating a club is great, and it doesn't really require anything but dedication You can get funding if you work at it enough, and even without that, all you need is for people to show up and have fun, and your club made a positive influence Maybe some people don't have the free time to do that, but all you really need is time

[@subzero8344]

@@scarmackd1498 Easier said than done.

[@Foo_rina]

I GOT 100 SUBSCRIBERS OMG

[@strawberry-tq3pn]

if anyone’s still looking for good extracurriculars in high school -- Student Bono. they have some pretty good internships for students and they’re pretty frequently putting out opportunities too Edit: best of luck to everyone on their college apps