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Featuring Matthew Whelan, director of admissions, St. John's University (Queens, NY)

Q: My family wants me to put academics ahead of everything else in college, but my teachers say  

campus activities

  are also important. Should activities be a factor when Choosing a College?

A: You might be surprised to know that a great number of high school students share your concern, and with good reason. The things you do in college will shape the rest of your life, from the friends you make to the career you ultimately choose. So you won't be surprised to know that the best answer to your question that I have ever heard came from a recruiter at an on-campus career fair.

A young woman, probably not much older than you, asked the recruiter what companies look for when hiring a college graduate. "A well-rounded person," the recruiter said without missing a beat. Sure, graduates who do well in school always impress companies looking to hire. This is especially true if the graduate's major relates directly to the job in question -- for example, accounting, education, or journalism. Yet more than ever, companies are looking for college graduates with the kinds of skills and experience you find outside the classroom, including people skills and leadership ability.

The best way for you to gain those skills is through campus activities. Most colleges and universities offer a wide variety of activities for students who want to grow personally as well as academically. Involvement in student government, scholastic clubs and organizations, and service-minded fraternities and sororities, are great ways to enjoy your time outside the classroom, and the activities look impressive on your resume as well. Best of all, you'll enjoy opportunities to apply the lessons you learn in class to situations that prepare you for the real world.

At St. John's University, for example, students can choose from 180 clubs, organizations, fraternities, and sororities. Many students gain organizational experience by joining the student government, which funds and coordinates campus activities. Others make friends and develop leadership skills through academic clubs and honor societies. As a Catholic university in the Vincentian tradition, St. John's also encourages its students to take advantage of service-oriented activities available through our Campus Ministry. Students have ample opportunities to volunteer at churches, soup kitchens, shelters, and other community organizations. Service-learning is also part of many academic programs.

Through activities like these, students not only help others, but gain valuable resume credits as well. As you plan for college, take a look at everything the institution has to offer. Academics: absolutely. Great residence halls: without a doubt. But also consider the kinds of campus activities you'll find there. The activities you choose may help you gain the kind of experience that will help you succeed in your future career.

We wish you the very best of luck with your college plans.

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