As college counselors, our mission is to help our students navigate the complex journey to college. One of the most crucial aspects of this journey is the college application itself. Beyond the grades and test scores, colleges are interested in the extracurricular activities that students participate in. These activities often demonstrate a student's commitment, leadership, teamwork, and other important skills that cannot be quantified by academics alone.

However, it's not enough to just list these activities. To truly stand out, students need to quantify their extracurricular achievements. This involves demonstrating the impact they've made in their activities, not just their participation. In this post, we'll provide strategies college counselors can use to teach their students to quantify their extracurricular achievements effectively.

Tactics of Quantification

Highlight the Numbers

The first step in quantifying achievements is to identify the numbers associated with the activity. Did they lead a club of 50 members? Did they raise $2,000 for a charity? Did they teach a class of 20 students? These specific numbers provide a clear picture of the magnitude of their responsibilities and achievements. Teach students to always look for opportunities to include relevant numbers in their descriptions.

Show the Before and After

Next, encourage students to show the change they brought about through their actions. Did the number of club members increase under their leadership? Did the charity event they organized raise more money than the previous year? These "before and after" comparisons can effectively demonstrate the impact of their actions.

Highlight Time and Commitment

The amount of time devoted to an activity can also speak volumes about a student's commitment. Students can indicate how many hours per week or per month they dedicated to an activity. This not only shows their dedication but also provides context for their achievements.

Use Percentages

Percentages can be a powerful tool for illustrating growth or improvement. If a student was part of a group that increased club attendance by 30%, or improved the school's recycling program by 50%, these figures can be impactful. Percentages can offer a clear picture of their achievements, especially when absolute numbers are not as impressive.

Showcase Awards and Recognitions

If a student has received any awards or recognitions, these should be included and quantified where possible. For example, placing 1st in a regional debate competition out of 100 participants is more impressive than merely stating that they won a competition.

Beyond the tactics above, let's also explore some effective methodologies and pedagogies that college counselors can employ to guide their students in quantifying their extracurricular activities.

How to Teach Quantification

1. Use Real-Life Examples

One of the most effective ways to teach students how to quantify their achievements is through examples. Counselors can provide sample resumes or application entries, both before and after they're quantified. Show students a basic entry, such as "Volunteered at the local food bank," and then show them how it can be quantified, like "Volunteered 10 hours a week at the local food bank, serving over 200 meals per shift." Seeing the impact that quantification can make will help students understand the importance of this approach.

2. Role-Playing Exercises

Role-playing can be a very effective teaching method. In this scenario, the student plays the role of a college admissions officer or a potential employer reviewing applications. The counselor provides two similar applications or resumes, one with quantified achievements and one without. By examining the applications, the students can see firsthand how much more impactful and impressive the quantified achievements are.

3. Leverage AI Assistance

Utilizing AI, like OpenAI's GPT, can be an innovative way to assist students in quantifying their achievements. Students can interact with the AI, inputting their activity descriptions, and the AI can suggest ways to quantify them. This not only gives students a practical way to improve their entries but also exposes them to AI technology, which is becoming increasingly important in the modern world.

4. Group Workshops

Organize group workshops where students can share their extracurricular activities and brainstorm ways to quantify them. This collaborative method allows students to learn from each other's experiences and perspectives. They can also practice giving and receiving constructive feedback, an important skill in its own right.

5. Regular One-on-One Coaching

In addition to group workshops, it's important to offer one-on-one coaching sessions. Each student will have unique activities and achievements, and individual sessions allow for personalized advice and guidance. Counselors can work with students to identify the best ways to quantify their specific achievements.

6. Use Online Resources

There are numerous online resources available that provide tips and guidance on quantifying achievements. Encourage students to use these resources to supplement what they learn in their sessions. Resources like career advice blogs, webinars, and online courses can provide further insights and tips.

7. Continuous Learning and Improvement

Teach students that quantifying achievements is an ongoing process, not a one-time task. As they continue to participate in their extracurricular activities, they should always be looking for ways to quantify their new achievements.

8. Practice at EAE Entries

Using quantification is emphasized in EAE entries at the same level as it is in college applications. Joining EAE is also a good way for students to practice quantification and improve presentation of their achievements.

Teaching students to quantify their achievements is more than just a way to improve their college applications and resumes. It's a way to help them understand the value of their experiences, develop a mindset of continuous improvement, and express their skills and achievements effectively.

At EAE, we also provide multiple tips and resources in our system that help students master quantification, including the introduction of the SMART principle, a quantification guide and abundant quantification examples, etc., which students can leverage and refer to.