How important are LAMDA and other activities for Uni place?

[firstboard]

Hello,
If DS is targeting Maths or Engineering courses in top Universities, how important are LAMDA and extra curricular activities ?
He is still in Year 9 and shows no interest in anything except Violin lessons. He may end up doing ABRSM Grade 6 or 7 by end of school as he is already on Grade 4.
I tried to put him on LAMDA course but he doesn't show any interest in it and wants to quit.
Are Extra Curricular activities a deal breaker in Uni admissions?

Thanks

And this in London is free for state school students
www.luminacourse.org.uk

There is also the nuffield research project for summer of year 12 that reimburses travel and will give a bursary to students if they fall into the lowest income brackets.

All school sports are free. You don’t have to join expensive clubs. Events like open house are free. These allow you to visit engineering and building projects. Summer schools can be highly subsidised. I don’t think the op said they couldn’t afford anything, it’s more a case of what, or what not, to do. You don’t necessarily need internships before university but relevant work experience is a big help.

On paper they are not important at all, but Lamda can be good for self confidence with public speaking.

Schools do seem to put a lot of emphasis on extra-curricular as they hit Year 12.

The very top unis, ie Oxbridge, make it very clear they couldn't care less about the extra-curricular.

My DC (not Oxbridge but competitive unis) barely mentioned theirs.

I do know one DC who went off to do a degree this year with 2 Grade 8s making up her UCAS points but I think this is unusual.