High school students are undoubtedly familiar with the belief that extracurricular activities can help separate applicants when seeking admissions to competitive colleges and universities. But research has long indicated that extracurriculars are more than mere résumé-padding activities.
A 2019 study published in The Excellence in Education Journal found that students who participated in extracurricular activities earned a significantly higher grade point average than those who did not engage in such activities. The value of that participation has been evident for decades, as the National Center for Education Statistics notes that a 1992 study found that more than 30 percent of students who participated in extracurricular activities had a GPA of 3.0 or higher, while just under 11 percent of non-participants performed that well academically.
The potential impact that extracurriculars can have on students' academic performance underscores just how valuable such activities can be and how much students should consider getting more involved at school as their academic careers unfold.
Article by MetroCreative Connections