Non-Academic Achievements

[IonClaws]

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So, I was wondering, what exactly are "non-academic achievements"?

I am finding it difficult to distinguish earning good grades, test scores, etc. and doing well in an activity (teaching, research) that often takes place in a university but are usually referred to as "extracurriculars."

Would excellence in research or teaching (poster presentations at university symposia about a research project, or comments from students about how well one teaches) be considered "non-academic"? Or does it have to be completely unassociated with an academic institution to be considered "non-academic"?

As always, feedback appreciated. Thanks!

 

[music2doc]

So, I was wondering, what exactly are "non-academic achievements"?

I am finding it difficult to distinguish earning good grades, test scores, etc. and doing well in an activity (teaching, research) that often takes place in a university but are usually referred to as "extracurriculars."

Would excellence in research or teaching (poster presentations at university symposia about a research project, or comments from students about how well one teaches) be considered "non-academic"? Or does it have to be completely unassociated with an academic institution to be considered "non-academic"?

As always, feedback appreciated. Thanks!

Research is probably best described as "cocurricular" (i.e., follows the curriculum or is in-line with but separate from it); however, it is a common EC for premeds.

That said, good EC achievements might include:

• Success as a Division 1 athlete
• Starting a club and leading it to success
• Creating/building/developing an organization or program (academic or otherwise)
• Showing success in a "real job" quantitatively and/or through an LOR

 

[IonClaws]

Research is probably best described as "cocurricular" (i.e., follows the curriculum or is in-line with but separate from it); however, it is a common EC for premeds.

That said, good EC achievements might include:

• Success as a Division 1 athlete
• Starting a club and leading it to success
• Creating/building/developing an organization or program (academic or otherwise)
• Showing success in a "real job" quantitatively and/or through an LOR

Hm...would a position as a graduate teaching assistant be considered a "real job?" I think I could probably get some sort of LoR from it.

 

[music2doc]

Hm...would a position as a graduate teaching assistant be considered a "real job?" I think I could probably get some sort of LoR from it.

Sure. Something outside academia would be nice, but a GTA position involves things beyond what a student employee would be required to do, so I think so.

 

[NickNaylor]

So, I was wondering, what exactly are "non-academic achievements"?

I am finding it difficult to distinguish earning good grades, test scores, etc. and doing well in an activity (teaching, research) that often takes place in a university but are usually referred to as "extracurriculars."

Would excellence in research or teaching (poster presentations at university symposia about a research project, or comments from students about how well one teaches) be considered "non-academic"? Or does it have to be completely unassociated with an academic institution to be considered "non-academic"?

As always, feedback appreciated. Thanks!

I would consider research academic in that it's related to learning about or discovering new knowledge. However, as m2d mentioned, research is also generally considered an EC in that it's not required (for most students) in order to graduate.

Non-academic ECs would include student organizations, athletics, and pretty much anything not school-related (even if the activity is affiliated with the university).

 

[btown8908]

E.g. Intramural sports champion. Getting published in a reputable or "non" reputable journal...writing a senior thesis...starting an initiative or a cause at your school...etc.

 

[varsityblue]

Hm...would a position as a graduate teaching assistant be considered a "real job?" I think I could probably get some sort of LoR from it.

Yup! Being a TA, writing a non-required thesis (or theses!!), participating in an organized sport, joining a fun campus club, writing for your school's paper, and conducting any kind of research are all viable examples of ECs.