Activities That May Hurt Your College Admission Chances
Published on: by SupertutorTV
- Introduction
- Introduction and Reminder to subscribe to the channel
- Activities that may hurt your college admission chances
- Online Shenanigans and survey data on internet searches by admissions officers
- Avoiding stereotypically Asian activities as an Asian-American student and research findings on social competence and diversity contributions
- Encouragement for students to showcase uniqueness in college application essays
- Conclusion and call to action
- Highlights
- FAQ
- See Also
Introduction
Hey guys! Are you wondering what activities may hurt your chances at college admission? If so, that's what we're going to talk about in this video. Before we get started, don't forget to subscribe to our channel and check out our ACT prep course. In this video, we'll discuss research-backed activities that could potentially harm your college application.
Introduction and Reminder to subscribe to the channel
Hey guys! Are you wondering what activities may hurt your chances at college admission? If so, that's what we're going to talk about in this video. Before we get too far into this video, I first want to remind everyone to subscribe to our channel if you haven't already. You can do that by clicking on subscribe below this video. The other thing that I want to remind everyone is that we have an awesome video-based prep series for the ACT. It's called 'The Best ACT Prep Course Ever'. It's over 50 hours of video instruction, and I've coached a student to a perfect score on the ACT and many other students to perfect scores in individual sections. If you're prepping for that test, it's a great way to get prepared. It's like private tutoring but much more affordable. So go check that out. We're also coming out with the best SAT prep course ever this fall 2018. So if you're studying for the SAT and you've got a little bit of time, sign up for our newsletter at supertutortv.com/subscribe. I will keep you in the loop for when that drops.
I know I have another video called 'Activities Colleges Don't Care About', and in that video I really went over from my personal experience what kind of activities colleges don't necessarily see as a bonus factor in admissions. But this video is different from that video in a few ways. The first way this video is different is that I'm going to be going over some ideas that actually might hurt your college application rather than just be sort of neutral forces that don't do anything. That's the first difference. The second difference is this is not about what I think. It's not about my opinion; it's literally about social science research or survey data that I've found from reading different articles and different sources. Let's get into this video.
The first category of activities that colleges tend to potentially discriminate against are activities that are deemed career-oriented. Career-oriented means that these extracurricular activities are the kind that are getting you ready for a real-world career. This could be a co-op work program that teaches you how to do things like auto mechanics or air conditioning installation. These findings are based on research from Princeton sociologists Thomas Espenshade and Alexandria Walton Radford. They found that if you were involved in these activities, especially in a leadership position, you had a 60% less probability of being accepted to a top-tier school. The authors speculate that colleges may worry these students may not want to attend university and that attitude may reflect in their applications, potentially impacting admissions negatively.
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Try it nowActivities that may hurt your college admission chances
One activity that may hurt your college admission chances is being involved in online shenanigans. This refers to being active on social media in a way that could potentially reflect poorly on you. A survey of college admissions officers to competitive universities found that 30 to 40 percent of them had used internet searches during their evaluation of students. This search sometimes ended up hurting the applicants, especially if they had posted inflammatory or controversial content online. It's crucial to be mindful of what you post online as it can impact your college application. While there is a chance that a positive online presence could benefit your application, it's essential to exercise caution and avoid associating with any content that could be deemed unfavorable by admissions officers.
Another activity that may negatively impact your college application is engaging in stereotypically Asian activities if you are Asian. A study published in the Asian Journal of Social Psychology found that there was a perceived difference in social competence and diversity contribution when Asian American applicants engaged in activities considered 'stereotypically Asian'. Admissions officers were more likely to judge these students as less socially competent and offering less diversity to the college campus compared to their non-stereotypical Asian American counterparts. This study highlights the importance of presenting oneself as an individual and unique applicant, regardless of any perceived stereotypes associated with certain activities. Admissions essays can be a platform to showcase personal stories and unique traits to differentiate oneself from stereotypes.
Online Shenanigans and survey data on internet searches by admissions officers
Based on a recent survey of college admissions officers, 30-40% of admissions officers at competitive universities have used internet searches as part of the evaluation process. Surprisingly, in 30-42% of cases, these internet searches ended up negatively impacting the applicant's chances of admission. This serves as a cautionary tale for students to be mindful of their online presence and avoid engaging in activities online that could potentially reflect poorly on their character. Admissions officers are looking for well-rounded and responsible individuals, and any online shenanigans could hurt your chances of getting into your desired college.
On the flip side, around 40% of admissions officers found that the information they discovered online actually positively impacted their decision in favor of the students. This highlights the potential benefits of showcasing a positive and engaging online presence. So while being active online may not necessarily harm your college application, it's crucial to be cautious and maintain a positive digital footprint to impress admissions officers.
In conclusion, the study reveals that online activities can have a significant impact on a student's college application process. While engaging in online shenanigans may hurt your chances of admission, maintaining a positive and responsible online presence can actually work in your favor. It's essential for students to be mindful of what they post online and ensure that their digital footprint reflects their best qualities and attributes to enhance their college application.
Avoiding stereotypically Asian activities as an Asian-American student and research findings on social competence and diversity contributions
A study published in the Asian Journal of Social Psychology sheds light on the impact of engaging in stereotypically Asian activities for Asian-American students. The research involved hypothetical surveys where admissions officers evaluated students based on their extracurricular activities. The findings revealed that Asian-American students participating in activities like playing the violin, Science Olympiad, and math team were often perceived as less socially competent compared to their non-stereotypical Asian-American counterparts.
Moreover, the study highlighted that engaging in stereotypically Asian activities may diminish the perceived contribution to diversity that these students offer to a college campus. On the other hand, Asian-American students with non-stereotypical activities were judged to be more socially competent and seen as offering a greater contribution to diversity. This disparity in perception based on the types of activities underscores the importance of showcasing uniqueness and individuality in college applications.
As an Asian-American student, it's crucial to recognize the implications of participating in stereotypically Asian activities and how they may be perceived by college admissions officers. While it's important to pursue activities you are passionate about, the study emphasizes the value of presenting a well-rounded and distinctive narrative in your application to stand out from stereotypes. By highlighting what sets you apart and making a compelling case for your unique qualities, Asian-American students can overcome potential biases and appeal to colleges seeking diversity and individuality.
Encouragement for students to showcase uniqueness in college application essays
The importance of showcasing uniqueness in college application essays cannot be overstated, especially in a highly competitive admissions landscape. Admissions officers are inundated with thousands of applications, and standing out from the crowd is essential for students vying for acceptance into their dream colleges. While academic achievements and extracurricular activities play a role in the selection process, the personal essay is an opportunity for students to convey their personality, experiences, and values in a compelling manner.
By highlighting what makes them unique, students can capture the attention of admissions officers and leave a lasting impression. Sharing personal stories, insights, and perspectives that differentiate them from other applicants can make a significant impact on the decision-making process. Whether it's overcoming challenges, pursuing unconventional passions, or demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity, showcasing authenticity and individuality in college essays can set applicants apart and increase their chances of admission.
In crafting their college application essays, students should strive to authentically represent themselves and provide insight into their character, aspirations, and values. Admissions officers are looking for students who not only meet academic criteria but also contribute diverse perspectives and experiences to the campus community. By presenting a unique and genuine narrative in their essays, students can effectively communicate their strengths and potential contributions, creating a memorable and compelling application that resonates with decision-makers.
Conclusion and call to action
In conclusion, it is important for students to be mindful of the activities they participate in, especially when it comes to college admissions. Research has shown that certain activities may actually hurt a student's chances of getting into a top-tier school. Activities that are deemed career-oriented, such as co-op work programs or leadership positions in organizations like ROTC or JROTC, have been found to decrease the probability of acceptance by 60%. This is based on social science research and survey data, highlighting the importance of being strategic in the extracurricular activities students choose to participate in.
Another factor that students need to consider is their online presence and behavior. College admissions officers have reported using internet searches to evaluate candidates, with a significant percentage finding information online that could potentially harm the applicant's chances. It is crucial for students to be careful about what they post on social media and how they present themselves online, as this could impact their college applications. However, it is worth noting that some online activities could positively influence admissions decisions, so students should be mindful of their digital footprint.
Lastly, the study on stereotypically Asian activities and their impact on college admissions sheds light on the importance of presenting oneself as an individual in the application process. Students who engage in activities that are considered stereotypical may face challenges in demonstrating their uniqueness to admissions officers. Therefore, it is essential for students to find ways to differentiate themselves and showcase their personal narrative in their essays and applications. By emphasizing what makes them unique, students can overcome potential biases and increase their chances of gaining admission to their desired colleges.
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Try it nowHighlights
- Research shows that being involved in career-oriented activities may decrease your chances of getting into a top-tier school by 60%
- Internet searches by admissions officers have shown that online behavior can impact college admissions decisions
- Some activities, like playing the violin or participating in Science Olympiad, may negatively affect the way Asian American students are perceived in the admissions process
FAQ
A: Colleges may interpret heavy involvement in such activities as a lack of interest in attending college, leading to lower acceptance rates
A: Positive online presence can benefit your application, while negative content can hinder your chances
A: Asian American students with such activities should focus on showcasing their unique qualities and individuality in their application essays
See Also
How to Optimize Your SAT Score
How to Fill Out the Common Application: Activity Sections
How to Self Study for the New SAT