How important are extracurricular activities, sports, hobbies etc for UCAS application?

[BlueSkyHawk]

We're Brits, currently living in the US, but my DD wants to return to the UK for uni. Here in the US, there's a really big focus on what you do outside of school, especially sport, for your college (uni) application. It seems more important than your grades!
My DD is very academic but not at all sporty and I'm trying to reassure her that in the UK, universities are focused on your predicted grades and less interested in extracurricular stuff. But is that still the case? Obviously it's been 25+ years since I did my UCAS application! What kind of extracurricular stuff do you think UK universities expect/are interested in?

It doesn't have to be sport it has to be something to show they are a well rounded human

Former Admissions Tutor here - we don't look for this in PSs, and in interviews we don't ask about this. What I might see as "well rounded" might not be what someone else considers asa "well-rounded person" and it would be discriminatory to impose my snap judgement about the "well-roundedness" of one applicant over another.

We want the A Level grades.

But as I said upthread, being interested in something constructive outside of study (probably not gaming, frankly, or just watching television - these aren't hobbies, they are time-sucks) is a good thing for an undergrad - they can develop all sorts of employability skills, or even - heaven forfend! - enjoy themselves & make friends outside of their lectures.

No, you are the one making wild assumptions. I have not said anywhere that everyone can do an archaeological dig. I have said many people can. I have not said every archaeological dig is easy to get to, I have said many are, famously so in the UIK, where the population has lived in the same settlements since the stone age.

Many students can easily and cheaply participate in archaeology. Any 16 or under can join a young archaeology club, and anyone over that age can volunteer for one. There are more than 50 branches in the UK, so that is one option right there. There are so many other options - just look for them. We are one of the most archeologically rich countries in the world, and among the most active.

And if archaeology really isn't for you, for whatever reason, choose a different option.

Just because something is only available for many or most people, rather than every single individual in the country, does not mean it isn't a valid suggestion. There is no single suggestion which is valid for every single person - doesn't mean don't make suggestions though.

Yes this.

Also the universities are well aware of what school the application has come from, so I assume they use that knowledge when look at a personal statement and do not expect an applicant from a state school in a poor area to have access to the same wealth of resources as one from a private school.

That's probably also why private schools concentrate so hard on the PS. They know in the case of a number of marginal applicants, priority will - quite rightly- be given to the student who has had less of a good start in life, therefore it's imperative to make that statement as strong as possible for a chance at a place.

That's my take on it anyhow.

Disagree with this entirely. Have advised on uni applications for years. Medicine/vet yes you need some relevant work experience. but the rest…not at all.
history you just need to read a lot and talk about that in an engaged way.
biology similar.

Private schools concentrate on PSs because parents expect them to. We do this knowing full well that almost every university doesn’t even read them.

???????????

In what way is what you are saying different to what I am saying?

Seems slightly tragic if kids are furiously doing extra curriculars for their cvs. Surely they are supposed to be….fun?!

Yes!

@rookiemere But your point about priority with offers applies to both state and private. Not all state school dc are underprivileged & poor. Priority will be given to disadvantaged students based on many factors not just simply because they go to state school. A student from a leafy comp or grammar is not automatically going to get priority over a private school dc simply because they are state, so your idea of private school students hacking away at the PS so they can get a look in, as delightful as it might sound is actually false.

Also it’s only Oxbridge that’s under real political pressure to reduce private school numbers.

@sheoaouhra I'm going to defend you, my DS got a place at St Andrews to study History, which has a very high number of quality applicants per place and definitely does read PSs, he put both books he had read, museum visits and things he had done with The Young Archaeologists Club ( which were cheap! And accessible). No sports or DofE...

@Mouse78013 Oxbridge is under pressure to widen participation which is a good thing. Bright students from deprived state schools or deprived areas get a look in where they previously haven't and that's as it should be. I'm perplexed at these posters whose bitterness prevents them from thinking rationally and the thought of private school dc suffering or disadvantaged makes them dizzy with excitement. Private school dc in actual fact get loads of great uni places even with the widening participation because they get the grades. Private school heads have always encouraged students to take the PS seriously long before widening participation even started because 1. It's a requirement 2. They are thorough 3. a lot of the students are applying for difficult courses (Medicine, Law etc) at very selective universities but also because it is good to be able collate everything you have done in the last 5yrs or so and reflect on it whether it's read or not. A much better lesson than telling students not to bother with it as it won't be read.

erm… you’ve misunderstood me. I think it’s a great thing Oxbridge are under more pressure and actually have a far better state/private ratio than a lot of places.

I know private schools have huge advantages. I’ve taught in private and state schools for 20+ years!

and this is a private internet forum. I’m telling the truth. Most uni courses don’t read personal statements. I don’t tell students that of course. Though loads know anyway because some universities freely admit it.

I’m not bitter or begrudging of state students. Was one myself thanks.

its TOTALLY different to the US common app essay/college essays.

An Oxbridge admissions tutor of my (professional) acquaintance always says he couldn't give a monkey's what students do in their spare time.

That's not to say they shouldn't have a wide range of interests, hobbies etc. But do them for their own sake, because you enjoy them, not to tick some box which it may well not in any case.

@thing47 I think most dc do more because they enjoy the challenge or fun of participating or learning something new. My DDs did lots of music, drama and dance. DD1 did so much it’s a wonder she had time to study. However doing loads and fitting it all in a real attribute. Especially now she’s working. DD2 ditto. These types of people are often ones who get things done because they are engaged human beings. It’s not about UCAS, as you say, it’s about being themselves. Doing something extra is always better than just doing school work! You will always be more interesting and sometimes it’s even asked at interview for a job where character and “fit” matters.