Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
Career & Education
BY NICOLE MCLAREN CAMPBELL  
October 8, 2016

Extra-curricular strategy

Highly competitive US colleges report that up to 85 per cent of all applicants are academically qualified for their university yet admission rates can be as low as four per cent. So, while grades and courses are the first filter, extra-curricular impact can also be a deciding factor.

One myth that persists each year is that competitive colleges seek a well-rounded student in terms of extra-curricular activities. The truth is that most Canadian, European and UK universities don’t care what non-academic activities students do because they are focused on students’ grades and external exam results.

(NB: Those universities also don’t require SATs or ACTs from students in non-American high schools). Competitive US universities, on the other hand, do seek students with depth and impact in terms of their extra-curricular involvement so it’s very important, for students to seek and create opportunities in alignment with their innate interests.

Many students say they do not know what they are interested in. My recommendation is that parents encourage and facilitate their children in exploring as many activities as possible, starting in kindergarten, so that they can discover what speaks to them. Colleges don’t necessarily prefer one activity over another, but whatever the activities are, they must reflect leadership, impact, achievement, commitment and initiative.

By fourth form, students should settle into three or four activities and take them to the highest level possible. Don’t see what you’re interested in at your high school? Start it! One of our students recently stated a TedEd club at her school and has since supported the start of another branch at another high school. She learns so much from Ted talks that she wanted to share their impact with her peers. It’s a win-win, because as she develops as a person and leader, she also builds a #winning college profile.

Colleges use what applicants have done in the past as a predictor of what they might do in the future. US colleges look to build communities of students who will create the campus experience.

Therefore, they have to be convinced that students are active in their pursuit of whatever interests them and will continue to be active as college students. While colleges value good school citizenship, they also value activities done outside of school, for example at church, self-initiated, and very importantly, during the summer.

It doesn’t have to be on your transcript to “count”. The important thing is what you learn, achieve, and how you impact others AND how you’re able to articulate those on a college application.

Two students can have similar achievements and receive very different admissions results because of the use of language. The application must be presented in the most compelling manner possible, describing extra-curricular activities and role using active, clear, succinct language. Most college admission officers take about 20 minutes to review each student application, inclusive of grades/transcript, teacher and counsellor recommendations, essays, ACT/SAT reports, and any additional information. This is not a lot of time, so make it count!

Nicole McLaren Campbell is the founder and CEO of Aim Educational Services, an independent college admissions counsellor, and public speaker. Contact her at nicole@ aimeduservices.com.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Multiple injuries reported following three-vehicle collision in Negril
Latest News, News
Multiple injuries reported following three-vehicle collision in Negril
July 8, 2026
WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — Several people were rushed to hospital for medical treatment following a three-vehicle collision on the Norman Manley Boulevar...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Alex Thomas ready for new challenge at Dunbeholden FC
Latest News, Sports
Alex Thomas ready for new challenge at Dunbeholden FC
July 8, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Alex Thomas is chomping at the bit to get going at his new club, Dunbeholden FC, for the upcoming Jamaica Premier League season. T...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jamaica to participate in World Cup, JDA prepares for international draughts event
Latest News, Sports
Jamaica to participate in World Cup, JDA prepares for international draughts event
July 8, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica- As football fans across the Caribbean remain glued to the FIFA World Cup, another global tournament is preparing to place Jamaica f...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Latest News, News
Police to lift Greenvale curfew if area remains crime-free
July 8, 2026
MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Against the backdrop of discussions with community leaders in Greenvale, head of the Manchester police Deputy Superintendent Ode...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Police urge robbers involved in shooting of pump attendant to surrender
Latest News, News
Police urge robbers involved in shooting of pump attendant to surrender
July 8, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The police are urging three men connected to the shooting of a pump attendant on  Deanery  Road on Wednesday, captured on CCTV cam...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
3.4 magnitude earthquake felt in sections of eastern Jamaica
Latest News, News
3.4 magnitude earthquake felt in sections of eastern Jamaica
July 8, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A minor earthquake was felt in Jamaica at 6:20 pm on Wednesday; preliminary reports from the Earthquake Unit have indicated. Resid...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer", "breaking-news":"Push Notifications"}
Holland Bamboo in St Elizabeth to be pedestrianised for eco-tourism — Green
Latest News, News
Holland Bamboo in St Elizabeth to be pedestrianised for eco-tourism — Green
July 8, 2026
ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — Plans are under way to pedestrianise Holland Bamboo in St Elizabeth and transform the scenic location into an ecotourism desti...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
US bombing to ‘get much worse’ if Iran doesn’t halt attacks: Trump
International News, Latest News
US bombing to ‘get much worse’ if Iran doesn’t halt attacks: Trump
July 8, 2026
AIR FORCE ONE, Undefined (AFP) — President Donald Trump warned Wednesday that US bombing of Iran will increase significantly if Tehran continues to at...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct