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Do extracurriculars really matter in high school and does it look better to take college classes rather than AP courses?

My school does not offer many extracurriculars and does not have any AP classes but there are college classes provided. #college #high-school-classes #classes #extracurriculars #high-school

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Richard’s Answer

From my experience extracurricular activities do matter because it shows you are a well rounded individual. It demonstrates you have social interaction skills needed to excel in courses that require teamwork and you will be an active within the collegiate community. It doesn't have to be school sponsored activities. You can volunteer to work with local organizations in your home town for causes you believe in, you can participate in competitive sports with local sports clubs like fencing or martial arts.


College courses versus AP courses. hmmm, that one is interesting. I would say if you can take college courses and do well with them it demonstrates to the college that you will do well at the collegiate level. Colleges don't want students dropping out or not doing well because it hurts their rankings and ability to attract excellent candidates. But, the AP courses are sometimes a requirement for college admissions. My advice on this one would be to try to find a balance of the two.


Hope this helps.
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Rachel’s Answer

With regard to the college courses, definitely take them. These courses are free college classes that can dramatically decrease your student loan debt. They also demonstrate your ability to do well in a college level course and are looked upon favorably by admissions committees.
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Estelle’s Answer

In answer to your question about extracurriculars, yes they matter, but only to a limited degree. GPA and standardized testing scores will almost always be the biggest determining factors for college acceptance.
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Simeon’s Answer

The thing about AP classes versus college classes is that they both get you credit for college long-term. You're not necessarily a better candidate for schools if you do one versus the other. They're both pretty interchangeable. That's why you can count AP coursework in high school for college credit. Extra curriculars are also a bit overrated when it comes to how much it will help your application.
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EmilyAnn’s Answer

Great answers here. If your school doesn't offer an extracurriculars, like Richard said you can always find local activities or organizations to get involved in. I personally was part of a martial arts school in my town and also coached recreational sports! So just because your school doesn't provide the opportunity doesn't mean you can't get involved. Colleges love to see that you are well-rounded and involved in the community.

With regards to AP/college classes, AP classes are a great way to show that you are challenging yourself and preparing for college. If your school doesn't offer AP courses, colleges usually take note of this since it's something that's out of your control, and not taking them shouldn't count against you if you don't have the choice. However, if they do offer college courses, this is a great alternative to taking AP courses and I would definitely recommend.
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