Do Canadian Universities Look At Extracurricular?

Extracurricular activities allow you to show who you are outside of the classroom and demonstrate your leadership abilities and community involvement. In general, universities in Canada do not demand essays, teacher recommendations, or lists of extracurricular accomplishments in addition to academic achievement. Some colleges, on the other hand, may want a personal statement from students, while others may require extra applications for highly competitive programs. Here we will see about Do Canadian Universities Look At Extracurricular?

Do Canadian Universities Look At Extracurricular

What Do Canadian Universities Look At instead of extracurricular

Students must have completed an accredited college preparatory program to apply to a Canadian institution. On a course-by-course basis. Several Canadian institutions accept advanced programs with first-year transfer credits. 

The International Baccalaureate Diploma, Advanced Placement examinations, the General Certificate of Education, and the baccalauréat français are examples of such qualifications.

For US-style curriculum

For students following a US-style curriculum, standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT may be required.

For Undergraduate Entrance

Undergraduate entrance to Canadian universities is generally based on academic performance, with graduation from a recognized high school program being required. 

Each university, however, has distinct academic criteria and accomplishment standards for admission, as well as stated prerequisites for admission to a certain program of study. 

Meeting basic standards does not ensure admission to Canada’s top-tier colleges.

  • UBC: a “personal profile”
    • U of Toronto for engineering only
    • Queens, but it’s optional
    • Waterloo: essay for Optometry only; extracurriculars can be listed on the AIF (Application information form) but optional
    • York U for Schulich School of Business only; no essay but a video and leadership profile

Studies indicate

Admission decisions more heavily on academic performance 

There is strong evidence that admissions decisions should be made based on academic performance rather than how many hours you volunteered at a triathlon. According to a study published in The Atlantic, students with good marks in high school do best in college. That’s why your transcripts, rather than your extracurricular activities or your entrance exam scores, are a stronger sign of your college readiness.

Extracurriculars land on the middle rung 

While extracurriculars are on the middle rung of the significant scale and cannot replace good grades and test scores, multiple studies show that students who participate in extracurriculars have better attendance, higher SAT scores, and higher GPAs than students who do not participate.

  • Getting involved in extracurricular activities indicates numerous important attributes to an admissions officer. Motivation, dedication, time management, talent, and interest

Five methods to stand out while applying to a Canadian university:

You should pursue your interests

You will be more inclined to join in extracurricular activities if you enjoy them rather than seeing them as a chore. Participate in activities that you enjoy and develop your talents in those areas.

Set new goals for yourself

Pursuing your passions, on the other hand, doesn’t have to mean limiting yourself to what you’re already good at. A large part of it is discovering and developing your potential. An applicant with a diverse set of interests is desirable. Stand out by exposing yourself to a variety of activities.

Get a job

You could think that focusing on good grades while still fitting in sports or volunteer work means that part-time work isn’t a priority, but volunteering and part-time work are two separate things. Someone is paying you for your contribution to the latter. Any paid work you do is valued by universities. 

Working part-time or during the summer, such as at a café or a summer camp, will also give you valuable experience. Communication, customer service, and working under pressure are all transferable skills.

Take the initiative and lead

Signing up for pre-planned activities organized by friends, family, and organizations is simple enough. However, many colleges are searching for your capacity to take initiative and generate possibilities.

They want unique ideas. When working on a class project, your instructors and peers will direct you more. It’s more interesting to them if you have something on your mind that you want to communicate in their work.

Concentrate on the journey

Many schools value your approach and what you learn from it more than what you do. People should be taught how to reflect on their experiences and how to demonstrate such transferable talents.

This is one method to level the playing field between those who have the time and financial resources to serve overseas or pursue various interests and those who are preoccupied with family or financial obligations.

They are aware that many students must work. They likewise regard extracurriculars in the same way.

UBC 

At UBC, things are much the same. For them, achievements and activities aren’t everything. It’s also about what you’ve discovered as a result of your experiences. 

They are seeking students who have done outstanding volunteer work or have received numerous honors, and they will not receive a high personal profile score if they are unable to express what they have learned. 

Conclusion

Each Canadian university has its own admissions requirements and will assess you individually. However, for undergraduate education, graduation from high school and strong academic status is usually the minimum prerequisites.

Students who have a part-time job at the mall or who look after younger siblings may stand out if they can explain what such experiences have taught them about the world and themselves. 

It isn’t simply about earning points for achievements. It’s expressing your knowledge. Students with the strongest personal profiles are those who can explain this in a clear, compelling, and engaging manner.

FAQS

Is an essay required for university entrance in Canada?

The majority of Canadian colleges do not require application essays because admissions are primarily dependent on grades. 

Is it difficult to be accepted to the University of Toronto?

Getting into UofT is not difficult if you have a high school GPA of at least 90 percent.

Is getting into the University of Toronto a difficult task?

Getting into UofT will not be difficult if your high school GPA is above 90%. However, research suggests that the acceptance rate has decreased in recent years. Furthermore, for several programs, the entrance average has risen above 93 percent. As a result, having a strong extracurricular profile can help you gain acceptance.