Q&A: How Do Admissions Officers Verify Extracurricular Activities on College Applications?

Wondering how college admissions officers verify the extracurricular activities, honors, and awards applicants list on their college applications? In this video, I share my answer based on my time as an admissions officer.
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[@mazedurfiaz]

Thank you for sharing, it was really helpful!

[@ulyank6537]

Thanks for the clarification! I do ghostwriting for a semi-big international psychology group and I am wondering how you would verify this? I have written over 300 articles for them so it’s been a major time commitment for me. Should I leave the contact for the individual who recruited me in the application or anything like that? Thanks again!

[@swissyodeler6970]

Thanks for sharing your helpful insights. I have just one quick question, if you could answer I would really appreciate it. If an applicant had a very extraordinary activity (like working with lawmakers on getting a bill passed or a national-level competition/award) but for whatever strange reason nothing on the internet to back it up, would you just view the application as if that activity wasn't there and not factor it into the admissions decision? Thanks!

[@shujayethossain6554]

How do you verify if a students is an olympian at the national level?

[@aa-zq2fr]

Thank you for sharing! I was curious if you could share if colleges actively look for prospective students' social medias in the admissions office- they have phone numbers, so do they "connect contacts" to find applicants or something like that?

[@jasongim5332]

L)lllllllllll)lllllpllllll)lllllllllllllll)lllp)))plpllp))ll)lp

[@vishnudontu48]

Hi Koodoos, very informative video! You mentioned businesses as an EC so I was wondering how exactly do college admissions officers verify the revenue made of a nonprofit?

[@MormotTheHog]

they won't unless its too big amount

[@Alan-ci2wj]

Hello! Even though I am not lying or not gonna lie, this vid is extremely helpful for me, cuz it helps to be 100% sure that my extracurriculars look good, not weird! But, with that in mind, I have one question: Are colleges gonna get my one of my activities "FALSE" or "EXAGGERATED"? I've been playing soccer for almost 2 years for my school in district competitions, but I don't know how to prove that

[@baileycohen7775]

They will verify that you've participated in the competitions. They won't just call you a liar on a hunch.

[@Koodoos]

Leave a comment if there's a certain topic you want me to cover as we get closer to the start of the admissions season. I'll try to cover as many subscriber requests as possible. Don't forget to subscribe to my channel, so you never miss new videos: kzbin.info/door/lf_MqX0COVh9TCjQLIzqKA You can also check out my blog on writing personal statements and other college admissions-related info at: www.koodooslearning.com/ Follow on Twitter at: twitter.com/KoodoosLearning Follow on Instagram at: instagram.com/koodooslearning/

[@rafsanbinhossain9261]

Do they look for certificate?

[@pedrobalduci7754]

Do you take olympiads as ECs? What about courses (like a Python course or an Arduino course)?

[@christopherqu7383]

olympiads yeah. if i wanted to put a course as EC, then I would try to do smth outside of the course. so if u learn coding try to compete

[@Koodoos]

Olympiads could fall under honors and ECs. Python course could be additional course work or part of the transcript. Or if it’s a Python club, a part of ECs as well.

[@fonk2379]

I have a few questions, can you please answer? 1. How do you verify personal accomplishments that the internet and school can't verify? 2. What if I made myself president of a school club? 3. What if I raised money around my neighborhood and fed homeless people in India? How will you be able to verify that if I did that personally?

[@urmommabear5monthsago]

You better make yourself a website 🤣 Which anyone can do🤷🏻‍♀️

[@blizz8563]

Anything you cant prove should be avoided. Btw where are you now?

[@dope7577]

@@blizz8563 haha, what r u doing here btw?

[@blizz8563]

@@dope7577 idk. Going on a binge of 50 videos of common app, essays, colleges, extracurriculars, scholarships, campuses has lead me here

[@dope7577]

@@blizz8563 so u r also in the application process? like I m. If... let's get connected😇

[@Jamric-gr8gr]

What if an award for an extra curricular activity is listed on a foreign website typed in different language that is untranslatable?

[@matthewecheverria6503]

bro there is google translatw

[@isaacdelaney4442]

How do colleges know if a student lies about a EC if that EC is listed in their recommendation letters and their counselor can verify do they ever call organizations to see if that student participated

[@maryeverett2266]

Hey, do you have a Discord account where we can talk about college applications?

[@aneetathokkadam9180]

Hi! I participated in an international writing competition and placed in the top ten in my state, but I didn't get any further than that. Is that actually impressive? Should I put it on my college app, or is it not worth it? Thanks!

[@AK47_414]

if your major I'd English or has something to do with writing I would put it

[@JustAnotherLokiStan]

State level awards aren't very impressive. If you're going to major in English then you should NOT include it in your application (or even if you do, you should have a few ECs that are more impressive than this one) because while national and international level awards make a huge difference, state/district/zone level ones don't.

[@JustAnotherLokiStan]

If you ranked in your state, then you can include it. But top ten isn't exactly very impressive, considering the applicant pool. There are gonna be hundreds of students with national and international level awards, so being in the top ten in your state in one competition hardly warrants admission.

[@JustAnotherLokiStan]

Of course, that also depends on how selective the program was and how difficult it was. Plus, if that's the only initiative you took in writing/publication, that doesn't show commitment. The rank isn't everything, and even though it does matter, you need to show commitment and dedication. If you participated in one competition in your entire HS career, that won't help. Sorry if I come off as harsh, but you might want to look into more competitions.

[@lampsenpai4325]

@@JustAnotherLokiStan damn i thought state was pretty good. Edit: then again I live in texas so everything's really competitive

[@yayaceravieja1461]

If a child was able to raise one million dollars at that age why would he need/want to go to college?

[@laslw]

For the f of it, I guess. Watching these videos as a sophomore going into junior year really highlights how much I'm at a disadvantage compared to kids that had connections for high level stuff or money to pay for lessons for high-level events.

[@imauz1127]

raising 1 mil is different from having 1 mil in profit

[@theartfuldodger5326]

Our counselors have over 500 kids on their caseload 😮

[@williamdeng7524]

i was going to lie.... idk about this now tho

[@hurricanepursuit7350]

Heey, did u?

[@RollerBear123]

If I have a tiktok account with over 100k followers, should I drop the @??? I have some controversial content. Nothing bigoted but things you wouldn’t talk about with your parents.

[@Koodoos]

As long as it’s not hate speech, I think you’re good.

[@tonystark867]

How can i contact you ma'm

[@texassabre7214]

So you google it.

[@olove7038]

dont listen to her💀admission officers do not have time for all that

[@youtubeuserka]

hey, no offence question. how do you know that? are you an admission officer?

[@olove7038]

@@youtubeuserka because i know multiple people from different colleges who lied 😂😂 Do you k ow how long it would take admissions officers to do background checks on thousands of students😭 shes just trying to scare you

[@youtubeuserka]

thanks for reply. this also applies to Ivy and other top schools like Stanford, MIT? those colleges also don't care as much as she said?@@olove7038

[@youtubeuserka]

sorry, I'm not from US@@olove7038