When applying to college, everyone wants to know, “How can I stand out from the crowd and get admitted to my dream school?” While good grades and standardized test scores are key, a strong profile also matters. Motivated students can enhance their resumes and profiles through ‘super-curricular’ activities – pursuits that help you test your interest in a planned major or course at university. For example, if you’re interested in biology, you can intern in a lab or hospital, read books about the subject, and join your school’s Biology Club. Once you’ve confirmed this interest, you’d go further by proving to universities that you are excited about the subject. You might write a research paper on genetics, listen to podcasts, and complete advanced online courses through edX.org or coursera.org. However, when it comes to super-curriculars, there’s a brilliant but often overlooked way to prove you’re the ‘real deal’ regarding your passion and aptitude for your subject: competitions.
Competitions take many forms; individuals or groups can enter, and the categories are wide-ranging. There are scientific and mathematical olympiads, essay competitions, case competitions, science fairs, art competitions, and events like Model United Nations and World Scholar’s Cup. For example, if you are a math wiz, you can take part in University of Waterloo competitions, United Kingdom Mathematics Trust competitions, American Mathematics Competitions, and the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). If you love writing, consider essay competitions in subjects such as economics, law, psychology, and philosophy offered by the John Locke Society and Oxbridge colleges. For creative writers, the Bennington College Young Writers Awards invite submissions in fiction and poetry – plus nonfiction as well. Even if you don’t win, expressing your thoughts and honing your writing will sharpen valuable skills for your university applications and future college studies.
While there are many large international competitions, you can also look for competitions sponsored by your school or organizations in your community. Competing in a smaller field can be a great opportunity to take home a coveted prize! In the UAE, students have participated in Curtin University’s Business Cup Challenge, the Zayed Ideathon, and the Emirates Literature Festival’s story and poetry writing competitions. The pioneering Zayed Sustainability Prize is a prestigious team challenge for environmentally minded students. Some local competitions, such as the Emirates Youth Scientist Competition, allow you to advance to higher rounds at regional and international levels.
What can you do with your award once you have won it? Students applying to Europe or the UK can write about receiving recognition for excellence in their subject – or what they learned through their preparation or research – in their Letter of Motivation or UCAS statement. Your school counselor can also highlight the accomplishment in your school recommendation letter if it is particularly impressive. For US applicants, up to five academic honors can be listed on Common App in the Education section. If you hope to study business, it would be brilliant to boast that you placed in the top 10 for Wharton’s Global High School Investment Competition or a local entrepreneurship challenge. Many high schools give prizes for outstanding performance in a subject; while not a competition, this kind of award would also be listed in your Common App honors list.
Why are prizes so helpful as a stand-out super-curricular activity? Grade inflation is common across high schools worldwide, a reality that makes objective measures extremely helpful to admissions officers. Applying with good scores from AP tests, IB Middle Years exams, or GCSE exams is highly beneficial in this landscape. Standardized testing is also wise if you can do it; however, many students still choose to apply without the SAT or ACT. Thus, prizes and awards are another way admissions officers can identify students who have proven their talent and passion in the subjects they plan to study. Participating in a competition shows you are committed to excellence beyond your high school curriculum; winning a prize is the icing on the cake!
Ask your Ivy Options counselor if you’d like to know more about competitions related to your favorite subject. For keen math and CS students, Ivy Options can now offer University of Waterloo competitions at our offices, so contact info@ivyoptions.com to learn more.