Extracurriculars for UNL Scholarships & Honors: What Matters Most

At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the role of extracurriculars is unique. While UNL employs a "guaranteed admission" policy based on core competencies and test scores, extracurricular activities are the primary engine for securing the university’s most prestigious awards—including the Kiewit Scholars (full ride + internships) and the Jeffrey S. Raikes School (Computer Science/Business cohort).

Our analysis of successful "Husker" profiles shows that UNL doesn't look for "resume-padding" or high-gloss titles. Instead, they reward grit, community impact, and "The Power of Is"—a school philosophy that values who you are and what you can do right now.

Tiers of Extracurriculars for UNL Scholarships & Honors

This tier list categorizes activities based on their impact on the Supplemental Scholarship Application and specialized cohort programs.

1. The "Working Student" Advantage

UNL is a land-grant institution with deep roots in the work ethic of the Great Plains. Our analysis indicates that UNL admissions and scholarship committees value part-time jobs and family responsibilities as much as—if not more than—traditional school clubs.

• Why it works: It demonstrates "Ownership," one of the core pillars of the Husker Student POWER framework.
• Example: Working 20 hours a week at a local grocery store or managing a family farm during harvest season is viewed as a high-tier activity. It shows time management and real-world reliability.

2. Leadership in Agriculture and Rural Development (FFA & 4-H)

For students in Nebraska or neighboring states, deep involvement in FFA or 4-H is a powerhouse extracurricular.

• The "S-Tier" approach: Don't just list "Member." Highlight specific Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) or state-level competition wins.
• Insight: UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) offers specific scholarships that prioritize students who have led projects in sustainability, animal science, or ag-tech.

3. Technical Depth for the Raikes School

If you are aiming for the Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management, your ECs need to bridge the gap between tech and business.

• Ideal ECs: Developing a mobile app that helps a local business, leading a robotics team (FIRST or VEX), or starting a small e-commerce venture.
• Our analysis shows: The Raikes School values "interdisciplinary thinkers." If you are a coder who also leads a choir or plays varsity sports, highlight that balance—they look for "well-rounded" technical leaders, not just "keyboard-only" applicants.

4. Community-Centric Engineering (Kiewit Scholars)

The Kiewit Scholars program focuses on the "Complete Engineer." Successful applicants often have extracurriculars that involve team-based problem solving.

• Project-based ECs: Habitat for Humanity, Science Olympiad, or even community theatre (where you handle lighting/set construction).
• Key Value: They look for "Relationship" and "Engagement"—showing you can work within a team to build something larger than yourself.

5. Aligning with "Husker Student POWER"

When describing your activities in the Supplemental Scholarship Application, map them to the university’s internal rubric:

• Purpose: Why did you choose this activity? What mission did you serve?
• Ownership: How did you step up? Did you take responsibility for a failure or a success?
• Well-being: How did you support your team’s health or morale?
• Engagement: How did you connect your activity to the broader community?
• Relationships: Did you mentor someone? Did you build a bridge between two different groups?

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Insights for the Supplemental Scholarship Application

• The "Essay" is Key: UNL doesn't use the Common App essay for admission, but they do require a supplemental 500-word statement for scholarships. Use this to tell the "story" behind your top 2-3 ECs.
• Quantify, but Keep it Personable: Instead of saying "I helped people," say "I coordinated 15 volunteers to provide 200 meals for the local food bank."
• Next Steps: Admitted students can access the scholarship application in MyRED starting October 1st. Aim to submit by the February 1st priority deadline to be eligible for departmental and leadership awards.