Extracurricular activities can make a big difference on a college application. They can also be very rewarding in terms of learning new skills and honed interests.

Tier two extracurriculars showcase more depth and provide a more complete picture of the student to admissions officials. These may include winning a competition or holding leadership positions within a club.

School Clubs

School clubs offer students a variety of activities outside of class that may enhance their overall education. Depending on the club, they can learn new skills or explore their interests in music, dance, theater, crafts and even student government and debate. However, it’s important to be selective about the number of clubs you join. Too many can lead to stress or exhaustion that can interfere with schoolwork.

In addition, club participation offers students a break from the demands of their academic lives and helps them connect with friends in new ways. They also begin to develop valuable leadership skills that will serve them well in college and career pursuits. Admissions committees and future employers appreciate students who have diverse interests and a commitment to learning beyond the classroom.

Drama

It’s long been understood that drama education helps children develop a wide range of “soft skills” including self-confidence, self-esteem, creativity, communication, collaboration, and interpersonal awareness. Yet, it’s difficult for teachers and parents to prioritize study time or classroom space for a subject like drama or channel school funding toward classes like drama when they’re perceived as being less “important” than subjects such as math, science, or computer science.

Teaches Self-Expression: Students are able to express themselves creatively through theatre and art, this helps them understand their own unique ‘voice’ and builds confidence. It also teaches them to accept constructive criticism which is vital for personal growth and development.

As a collaborative art form, drama teaches students how to work with their peers, preparing them for future career paths that will be team-oriented. It also enhances concentration and attention, helping them perform better in academic subjects. The most important benefit of drama is, however, COMMUNICATION. It teaches students to speak confidently in public, listen attentively to others and communicate with them effectively.

Debate Team

Students participating in debate are not only taught the art of presenting information and ideas, but also how to research their arguments and sources. Debating is a unique skill that will be valuable in many careers, and it helps build critical thinking and communication skills.

Identify the interest level in your school by conducting a survey, interviewing fellow students, or posting a sign-up sheet on a bulletin board. If there is enough interest, find a faculty member who has a strong interest in public speaking or has participated in speech and debate while in high school or college and would be willing to oversee the creation of a team.

Most students who participate in debate at a competitive level will attend 6-8 weekend tournaments per season (October-December). This is a time consuming commitment and a significant part of a student’s course grade. It is an important goal of Western Debate that debate opportunities are made available to all interested students, regardless of their background and experience in the sport.