importance of extracurricular activities on transfer applications -- Virtually Advising Q+A

The Q: I am a student at a community college in the process of transferring. I see that a lot of schools place an emphasis on extracurricular activities. While I participated in a lot during high school, I haven't done any in college, but I have maintained an A average. Do I realistically have a chance of transferring to a competitive college?

The A: My answer depends a bit on how competitive a college you're talking about. To transfer from a community college into Yale, for instance, would probably take a lot more than just an A average, but I think you'll still be fine at most schools.

The fact that you've got nothing extracurricular to note on your application just means that there's less for admissions officials to work with when comparing you to other applicants -- not that you have no chance of getting in. Realistically speaking, if the committee is comparing your application to one from somebody who's virtually identical to you but has joined clubs, worked for the school paper, been a student government rep, etc., then yeah, I can see how they might lean more toward the person with a fuller resume.

But take heart! There's a lot more than extracurriculars that make up your application. You've got a personal essay to write and letters of recommendation to get, plus your own natural charm and self-confidence to show off. Four-year schools look at students' overall packages, seeking out people's potential in many different ways. So you have little to say about what you do with yourself outside the classroom (which I have to doubt, by the way -- you must have done -something- when you weren't sitting in class, yesno? work? volunteering? interesting hobbies?). So what? You've still worked hard, done extremely well for yourself, and judging by your high-school history, I bet you'll dive into whatever campus activites interest you soon enough after you've transferred.

So fill out your transfer apps with gusto, and be confident in your strengths and your goals. I'm admittedly no admissions officer, but I think your chances are still quite good.

—Myles Helfand, General Advisor