Extra curricular Activities

[Applejack87]

Hi my child is in year 10 and has chosen not to dofe , she does do karate a few times a week currently via zoom other than that she really hasn’t any other hobbies , I have tried a few places for volunteering in areas that she enjoys but due to covid it’s proving difficult .
How important is it to have done some sort of extra activities, team work under the belt when applying for uni etc ?
I’m by no means comparing but some kids do loads cookery etc , after reading posts on here how important is dofe ?

It’s not at all important unless you are applying for something medical or educational in which case specific relevant volunteering/work experience counts.

It’s much more important to go above and beyond in the subject you are applying for which could mean reading non standard textbooks, podcasts and discussing what areas you are interested in.

Universities are typically concerned with interest in the course area, both academic and linked enrichment or volunteering. A reference to things that the student has done for clubs is nice, but they're not going to miss out on a university place because someone else has DofE.

What I would say from supporting students through UCAS though is whilst they don't have to have clubs coming out their ears, it is important to be a rounded individual. I tend to find that students who are motivated, well rounded, have an interest in their areas, and can communicate those features, do have things to discuss beyond their A Levels.

Not important for applications per se, but important for gaining skills and confidence to eg interview well, feel capable and that they have something to offer and get used to talking to peers and adults they don't know. My dd1 didn't do dofe but has really got a lot out of volunteering. And I swear dd2 only gained academic persistence through being a football goalie.

I agree with GoWalkabout

I think students who have been involved in things that perhaps take them out of their comfort zone a bit, or where they've had to deal with people who aren't their schoolfriends, learn skills and gain confidence which does help if they are relying on interviewing well.
It also helps enormously once they are at university and put together in a flat with 5,6,7 strangers and need to learn to live with them.

More so though, I think that shines through once you start applying for jobs.

Is agree.i think it is far more important to think about hobbies for personal development and wellbeing. My sport got me through some awful tragedies at university because my sports team were like a family. And I learnt skills from it that made me a better team player and manager.

But Karate could provide those things I am sure. So it is great she is already doing something like that.

A step up might be if she started helping out with karate clubs etc .. finding ways to build on her hobby

DD has no real hobby other than watching youtube and playing board games with friends and family. She does however have a job - which to be honest has made her into a "grown up" and given her a diverse support group and broadened her knowledge and interests,

she has been accepted to uni (Bath) to study Pharmacology - she did not include hobbies on her personal statement as they had no relevance.