We’ve helped students write and refine hundreds of college admission essays in the last four years. One of the things we’ve noticed is that some of the applicants simply never took part in any extracurricular activities in high school. If you’re among them, can you get into college without extracurriculars?
You can get into college without extracurricular, with your chances of admission being higher in non-selective schools with open admissions policies. Some schools only require a high school diploma or an equivalent.
However, you must first ensure that you have never engaged in extracurricular activities in high school before asking this question.
Whether you are confident that you have no extracurricular activities or believe that some of your hobbies may be extracurricular, continue reading. We’ll discuss how to apply to schools and universities without a lengthy list of extracurricular activities to impress admissions officers.
What is an Extracurricular Activity?
Many high school students believe that extracurricular activities are limited to those provided by their local high schools. However, that’s far from the case.
Almost everything you perform outside of class for an extended period and for a specific purpose qualifies as an extracurricular activity, from knitting to caring for your younger siblings to working in a family restaurant.
What Universities Don’t Require Extracurriculars for Admission?
Many schools and institutions in the United States of America have an all-inclusive admissions policy. This implies that they consider a variety of aspects when evaluating applicants, in addition to their standardized and GPA test scores.
On the other hand, some universities have a policy for open admissions, which do not require candidates to provide a list of extracurricular activities.
Sometimes referred to as an open enrollment policy, an open admissions policy is a non-competitive and non-selective procedure. The only requirement is that applicants should have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
The majority of community colleges, for-profit universities, and online schools operate on an open admissions basis.
But there are exceptions.
Certain schools and universities with an open admissions policy may impose extra conditions on candidates. For instance, a four-year university with an open admissions policy may impose a minimum GPA requirement on students from two-year universities.
Without needing much more than a high school certificate or anything like, many college-bound youth, particularly those with no extracurricular activities, may benefit from an open admissions policy.
What Are The Disadvantages of Open Admission Policy?
As we’ve seen, an open enrollment policy isn’t too strict, that the only thing you need is a high school diploma or its equivalent.
However, there are disadvantages to an open admissions policy that you should know.
First, colleges with open admissions policies receive a high volume of applications each academic year, so it’s highly likely for an institution to waitlist or reject your application if there is no slot left.
Second, many admitted students who get an admission through the policy aren’t usually ready to go to college in the first place. At least that explains why the graduation rates at some open admissions colleges are lower than average.
Third, tuition prices are cheaper in non-selective colleges with an open admissions policy, but financial aid is frequently limited and less competitive because of a lack of endowment.
Can You Apply to Selective Schools Without Extracurricular?
Regrettably, not everyone who wishes to attend some of the greatest colleges in the United States is able to make their aspirations a reality. This is because prestigious colleges often have the lowest admission rates.
More often than not, the majority of prestigious schools and universities employ a comprehensive admissions procedure. While this is beneficial because GPA and test scores are not the only factors examined, it might be unfavorable for students who lack a strong overall application.
This is why everyone who wishes to receive an admission letter from a prominent institution must have an amazing list of extracurricular activities.
Although many prestigious colleges have a holistic admissions process, all applicants must have excellent GPAs and test scores.
If anything, your GPA test score should be far higher than the minimal required. You will be applying alongside and competing against some of the smartest students in the country, as well as overseas students.
Avoid presuming that simply because you are as intelligent as the other person is you will likewise be welcomed.
For example, the class of 2019 at Harvard University received 26,000 applications from around the United States. The issue is that just 1,700 seats were available in that class. Naturally, admissions authorities prioritized applicants with the greatest GPAs and test scores.
If you are applicant number 1,700 and have a perfect 5.0 GPA and a perfect 1600 SAT score, just like applicant number 1,701, but the latter was the president of the debate team and the founder of the Habitat for Humanity Club in high school, while you have no extracurricular activities, guess who will be accepted to Harvard University?
The number 1,701 student would get an admission instead. That is because, while the both of you have great scores, they took part in extracurricular but you didn’t.
Final Thoughts
Almost everything you perform outside of class that does not earn you school credits qualifies as an extracurricular activity. This is particularly true for those that take time, dedication, and enthusiasm.
Contrary to common misconception, an extracurricular activity does not have to be an activity sponsored by your high school in order to qualify as one. So, before declaring on your application and in your admissions essay that you have no extracurricular activities, double-check that you haven’t participated in any in the first place.
Colleges are interested in your extracurricular activities because they want to learn about who you are outside of school. In other words, what do you do when you’re not studying?
Don’t worry if none of the activities you participated in throughout your four years of high school qualifies as extracurricular. That is because you are still eligible to attend college anyway.
However, be certain that you apply to the appropriate school. Sending your application to a two-year or four-year university with an open admissions policy would be an excellent option.