Getting into an Ivy League university is a dream many see but only a few get to live. While the journey can be challenging, it’s not impossible with the right guidance and support. Singapore-based Crimson Education offers a comprehensive range of services to support students on their journey to Ivy League admissions, with a significant focus on extracurricular activities.

Joanne Gao, Country Manager of Crimson Education Singapore, shares valuable insights into how these activities play a crucial role in the admissions process and how Crimson Education guides students to build impressive extracurricular profiles.

Building A Strong Extracurricular Profile

Crimson Education’s admissions consulting covers every aspect of a student’s university application journey, including planning detailed pathways, identifying suitable majors and institutions, preparing for standardised tests, refining personal statements and essays, and interview training. A key component of this journey is building a strong extracurricular profile. Joanne explains, “One of the main reasons students begin their journey with us early is to leverage our extracurricular mentoring, which supports them to build a robust profile through activities and independent capstone projects that distinguish them from other applicants.”

In the Common Application portal, candidates have ten slots to list activities that showcase who they are and what they are passionate about. Admissions officers look beyond grades to evaluate intellectual curiosity, leadership abilities, and a commitment to community impact through extracurricular engagement. Crimson Education helps students brainstorm, plan, and execute high-impact independent capstone projects that build a captivating personal narrative around their interests, passions, and leadership roles.

The Importance Of Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities are crucial in the admissions process for Ivy League universities, comprising approximately 30% of the evaluation criteria. Joanne emphasises, “Extracurricular activities provide admissions officers with a more complete picture of applicants beyond their academic achievements alone.” These activities demonstrate intellectual curiosity, leadership capabilities, and a dedication to positively impacting communities.

For example, at Harvard, where approximately 85% of applicants demonstrate strong academic performance, extracurricular activities play a pivotal role in distinguishing candidates. They serve as platforms for applicants to showcase their unique skills, passions, and personal qualities, significantly influencing admission decisions. “Extracurricular activities complement academics by fostering skills such as time management, teamwork, and problem-solving, which are essential for success both in university and beyond,” adds Joanne.

Crimson Education advises students to pursue activities they genuinely love. Joanne explains, “When students are passionate about an activity, they tend to invest more time and effort, resulting in better outcomes and deeper engagement.” This passion helps in meeting various factors that admissions officers consider: commitment, leadership, consistency with the applicant’s profile, and the impact and reach of their contributions.

Quality Over Quantity

Top US universities look for students who exemplify the letter T. The horizontal line symbolises a student’s ability to juggle a breadth of activities, while the vertical line represents the depth of knowledge and skill in a specific area. Joanne shares an example: “A student interested in engineering might demonstrate depth by starting a personal engineering blog, initiating and organising a mechanical engineering workshop, and publishing a research paper on engineering.”

This approach balances breadth and depth, showing diverse interests and capabilities across different fields while highlighting dedication and expertise in a specific area. Admissions officers value this combination as it indicates the student’s potential to thrive in a multidisciplinary environment and make substantial contributions in their chosen field.

Success Stories

One inspiring success story comes from a Crimson student who was deeply moved by the rampant food waste he witnessed. He launched a movement aimed at reducing waste, starting with elementary students he taught about composting and creating garbage enzymes. His dedication paid off when he secured a $2,000 grant to tackle littering issues in Singapore. Joanne highlights, “His unconventional approach showcased creativity and initiative far beyond typical extracurricular activities, playing a pivotal role in his acceptance into Dartmouth College.”

Balancing Academics And Extracurriculars

Building a strong admission profile can be demanding. Joanne offers tips for managing this effectively: prioritise academic performance, set clear goals, use effective study techniques, pursue passion and impact, manage time effectively, seek mentorship, reflect on experiences, and maintain balance. These strategies ensure students build a compelling admission profile while fostering personal growth and well-being.

Extracurricular Mentoring Program

Crimson Education’s expert Strategy Consultants guide students through a strategic process to enhance their extracurricular profiles. This includes activities list guidance, planning independent capstone projects, and tailored support to highlight academic interests, personal growth, and readiness to contribute to their chosen academic institution and beyond. Joanne explains, “By strategically leveraging passions, leadership roles, significant achievements, or impactful projects within their extracurricular pursuits, strategists help students craft a compelling narrative that sets them apart.”

Highlighting Extracurriculars In Personal Statements And Interviews

When developing personal statements, Crimson Education recommends the ‘Three Step Experience format’. Students should write about a meaningful experience, discuss what they learned, and connect it to their current and future aspirations. For interviews, students should focus on key experiences that demonstrate their passion, leadership, and impact, describing their roles and the contributions made.

Crimson Education’s holistic approach ensures students build strong, authentic, and impactful extracurricular profiles, enhancing their chances of Ivy League admissions and beyond.

Find out more about Crimson Education at https://www.crimsoneducation.org/sg/