How Admissions Work

Think you need to join ten clubs and be the captain of every team to get into a good program after high school? Many people believe that, but it's a myth. Admissions officers can spot a padded resume from a mile away. They are often more impressed by a student who is deeply committed to one or two things than someone who just shows up for a long list of activities.

When you eventually apply for university or other post-secondary programs, they look at more than just your grades. Think of it like a puzzle. Your grades are a big piece, but they aren't the whole picture. Most admissions committees look at a combination of things to understand who you are.Academic Performance: Your grades are important. They show you can handle the work. But they are rarely the only factor.Entrance Exams: In some countries, you'll need to take standardized tests. Your scores are another piece of the puzzle.Extracurriculars: This is anything you do outside of class — sports, clubs, volunteering, a part-time job, or even caring for family. They want to see what you're passionate about. Commitment is more impressive than a long list of activities you barely participated in....

Aaliyah, 15, heard that universities wanted to see lots of extracurriculars. So, at the start of the year, she signed up for eight different clubs: debate, coding, environmental club, student government, and four others. Within a month, she was completely overwhelmed. She was late with homework, barely had time for friends, and wasn't really contributing to any of the clubs. Her history teacher noticed she looked exhausted and asked what was going on. After Aaliyah explained, her teacher said, "They want to see passion, not a checklist." She advised Aaliyah to pick the two clubs she actually cared about and really commit to them. Aaliyah dropped six clubs and focused on coding and the environmental club. She ended up leading a community recycling drive and felt happier and more accomplish...