How to accumulate points for extra-curricular activities for your US study visa?

 How to accumulate points for extra-curricular activities for your US study visa?

According to experts, candidates need to prioritize activities they participate in for a long time, hold an important position, related to the field of study and describe specific results.

Ms. Tran Phuong Hoa, founder and director of Summit Education, a member of the International Study Abroad Counseling Association, has 15 years of experience as a consultant for students who aim to study in the US. . In addition to grades and academic certificates, Ms. Hoa believes that building extracurricular activities also plays an important role in the application.

In Vietnam, when applying for university admission, schools often do not provide criteria for extracurricular achievements. Therefore, many parents and students are confused when making a US study visa application, do not know which activities can and do not count as extracurricular activities. Hoa has met many people who misunderstood that only charity and gifted activities are extracurricular activities.

This consultant believes that the concept of extracurricular activities needs to be understood in a broader and more diverse sense. It includes all activities a student participates in outside of the required academic program, from club events, research, courses, social projects to holding positions in class, school or hobbies. sport. "Many people think that living in certification organizations is considered an extracurricular activity. This is not true. Even a hobby of cooking, making handmade items, writing vlogs... also counts if you study. students devoted a lot of heart," said Ms. Hoa.

Many students are worried because they don't have many activities at school or in their locality. Ms. Hoa suggested that students can connect with other students who also want to study abroad, apply for design positions, write media articles, create ideas, and translate for projects that receive volunteers to work online. They should take advantage of the summer break, choose some activities or summer camps at home and abroad to participate directly if possible. Students can also invite friends with similar interests to form clubs or small, practical projects with the school and the locality.

Ms. Tran Phuong Hoa, founder and director of Summit educational organization, member of International Study Abroad Consultant Association. Photo: Character provided

Ms. Tran Phuong Hoa, founder and director of Summit educational organization, member of International Study Abroad Consultant Association. Photo: Character provided

From her many years of experience as a consultant, Ms. Hoa said there is no specific rule to compare the value of the things that students participate in. However, oftentimes, activities that show the children's initiative are more appreciated. For example, instead of just being a member, if that child can initiate, start and lead a project or club, the profile will be much stronger.

Along with that, the admission committee will consider the results, acquired skills, and the impact of that activity on the community. For example, a project that has a large number of people participating, successfully raising funds, and helping many people will make a good impression compared to a similar activity but with a smaller impact (like giving gifts in a day at a location). points, mobilize few members).

In addition to the above two factors, the examiner looks at how many of the activities the candidate participates in are related to the field they want to study. If many, this will help them easily overcome questions like "Why do you want to go to our school?", "Why do you want to do this?". "Once they have an activity, they easily prove that they really like this field and have studied and invested time in it," said Ms. Hoa.

In case students do not know what they like, experts advise them to base themselves on their abilities and personalities, thereby identifying activities that will focus on large groups of fields, such as science, education education, environment, health, culture and art, gender equality, support for disadvantaged communities.

In the US study abroad application, schools often leave 10 blank spaces for students to declare their extracurricular activities with very detailed questions such as what you did, with which agency or organization, how long a week, How many weeks a year, in what grade year... Ms. Hoa assessed that candidates should prioritize activities they participate in for a relatively long time, hold important positions, related to their fields of study and model. describe specific results.

Listing all 10 activities of the same type or related to the field of study is not recommended because it will make the candidate become one color, not comprehensive. Conversely, you should not list 10 activities in 10 different areas. The examiner will not know what the candidate really likes and how the future direction is. According to Ms. Hoa, candidates should balance and choose activities strategically so that the admissions committee understands the key points and highlights of the students, even if they just glance at the application.

In addition, Ms. Hoa emphasized that students need to honestly declare information about extracurricular activities. In the past, a student intentionally wrote that he held a big position in events and projects, even though he was just a regular member. This student received a letter of acceptance, but after being complained about providing false information,