Table of Contents
Introduction
1. Research and Publications
2. Volunteer and Community Service
3. Internships and Work Experience
4. Entrepreneurial Endeavours
5. Sports and Arts
Conclusions
Introduction
There is no doubt that learning and personal development don't only happen while you are attending lectures. The admission committee knows this well, and that's the reason why you also need some good extracurricular activities to boost your admission chances. These experiences can be very diverse, ranging from playing an instrument, to volunteering or even publishing your own journal article. However, they all need to have a common feature, to enhance your skills, passions, and well-roundedness. In this article, you are going to discover some extracurricular activities that can help you increase your admission chances for your dream grad school. Remember that these are examples you can get inspiration from, and that you should always consider the specific characteristics of your program before mentioning each experience in your application.
1. Research and Publications
Engaging in research projects and publishing your findings can be a beneficial activity for different reasons. Firstly, it demonstrates your passion and genuine curiosity for your chosen field of study. Secondly, collaborating with professors on research projects, attending conferences, and submitting your work to academic journals are opportunities to gain experience in academia. This is highly appreciated by the admission officers as it means that you will likely be able to contribute actively to your grad school research community from the beginning of your program.
2. Volunteer and Community Service
Becoming a volunteer and serving local and foreign communities demonstrates that you are conscious of the problems that affect these areas and at the same time it showcases your commitment to leave an impact beyond the academic world. These experiences can range from volunteering in your neighborhood to keep the environment clean, to moving to another country for teaching your mother tongue. Lastly, remember that your social awareness and desire to make a change for the better are more important than the location or the duration of the activity… The only thing you have to do is to start doing some research and you will find a place where to help!
3. Internships and Work Experience
There are two main reasons why you should consider an internship or another work-related project before applying to grad school. First of all, many master’s programs require candidates to have work experience in their desired field. Indeed, applying knowledge in real scenarios is central to these degrees, and being already used to doing this as an intern can significantly boost your admission chances. As a second reason, internships can expand your professional network. Think about it: this means that together with your professors' support, you could also count on the recommendation letters of your employer or supervisor.
4. Entrepreneurial Endeavors
Whether you have started your own business, developed a unique product, or initiated a project, grad schools will take notice. Entrepreneurial activities express your creativity, desire for innovation, and determination to give life to your ideas. Furthermore, keep in mind that, although this can be a stimulating experience for all prospective graduate students, it is vital for MBA applicants. Indeed, several of those programs have entrepreneurship among their selection requirements.
5. Sports and Arts
Before concluding this overview of extracurricular activities, let’s not forget to discuss two final options, sports and artistic disciplines. On a general level, participating in those activities not only promotes physical well-being but also demonstrates your discipline, teamwork, and time management skills. Also, some of these experiences may be relevant for the specific program you want to apply for. For example, if you are applying for a master in Veterinary Medicine and are in love with horse riding, you could discuss the special relationship you have with your horse when you ride and how that motivated you to pursue your studies. This also applies for artistic disciplines. Indeed, you could showcase your interest for painting into the application for a master in Design, or connect your passion for theater and play writing to your dream phd in English Literature.
Conclusion
In conclusion, parallel to having a strong academic record, extracurricular activities can significantly enhance your candidacy. These activities show your abilities, passions, and character traits that go beyond what a transcript can convey. Selecting those experiences which are meaningful for you and at the same time that can match with your prospective degree programme is one of the keys for your success. Good luck with your application!!
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