This article is organized into two sections: observations I'd like to share from conversations I've had with Admissions Officers; and quick considerations about how to frame extracurriculars in application essays.
Observations
Extracurricular activities are crucial in the boarding school admissions process for reasons that are both obvious and deeply strategic (for both the school and student).
Why activities matter: The first, self-evident reason activities matter is that, better than grades and test scores, they divulge passion, sustained effort, curiosity, and engagement in the world. Admissions Officers want to see applicants who are engaged beyond the classroom.
The second reason is more nuanced, stemming from an interesting observation I gathered from multiple conversations with Admissions Officers (during my "parent interview" portion of the interviews).
- A baseline: Schools seek students with generally stellar grades and test scores, aiming for the well-rounded applicant who also shows comparable impressiveness through extracurriculars
- The last mile: When it comes down to difficult final choices about which terrific student to admit, the *specific* extracurricular(s) matter strategically
The strategy—from an Admissions perspective—comes into play because student bodies are the heart of a school's ecosystem; and each admitted student has a role to play. Elite boarding schools offer an expansive curriculum, sports/music/arts programs, and community life that is similar to elite colleges, but with far less cushion in terms of student population and budget.
Consider the student body size: large schools, like Exeter, have c.275 students per grade, while smaller schools, like Groton, have c.90. These schools must sustain the same richness that schools like MIT (with c.1.1k students per grade) and Yale (c.1.6k) offer—like broad curriculums, robust orchestras, competitive debate teams, devoted faculty with time to support independent research—but with far fewer students.
Reframed, this means each admitted student needs to contribute meaningfully and purposefully to the overall profile of the student body.
From the school's perspective: all other things being equal, if a school like Groton is missing a bassoonist for its orchestra, does it matter that 'Applicant A' plays the bassoon and 'Applicant B' does not? Yes.
From the student's perspective: for 'Applicant X,' who plays concert-level violin... does it matter that Andover's program might offer a more sustained, rigorous, and competitive environment than a smaller school's for them to hone their virtuosity? Also yes.
I raise this observation to offer two reminders:
- The *actual* extracurricular (and not just the demonstrated commitment to it) may end up being a crucial tie-breaker. But to temper this thought, unless your child is being recruited for a specific sport or reason, this is largely beyond your control.
- While all these schools offer rich programs, students seeking to take their skill to the next level must consider the depth and rigor of specific programs at each school that align best with their goals.
Quick Considerations About How to Frame Extracurriculars in Application Essays
1. Index on showcasing activities with meaning, not prestige.
My point in Section #1 notwithstanding, about it mattering sometimes what the actual extracurricular is, Admissions Officers will not have an opinion about what extracurriculars are "impressive;" rather, they care about what the activity means to the students.
Extracurriculars are anything that students have devoted meaningful time and effort to, and range from sports to music to arts to volunteering to hobbies (inclusive of truly personal, non-traditional ones, like mushroom foraging). Extracurriculars that are emphasized should be something the student stuck with or will continue to do even when no one is watching.
2. Focus on the experience, not the “trophy” (said figuratively).
For most students, there may not be an "outcome" or the achievement may not demonstrate distinction or mastery. If this is the (likely) case, focus on the in-between/softer achievements, such as:
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Frustration
- Persistence/effort/commitment
- Joy
3. Highlight moments of change or realization.
Examples/stories don't need to be dramatic; but should be anchored on a palpable experience that anyone would resonate with, such as:
- A moment of failure or extreme challenge
- A turning point
- A decision to commit
- A shift in perspective
- A meaningful interaction with a coach/mentor/teammate
4. Showcase personality.
Extracurriculars, and especially hobbies are a gift in the application. They reveal a student's quirks, humor, passions. The short bits of voice in student statements/essays go a long way toward rounding out an application.