[boogiepanda]

I'm looking at either a degree in economics or law next year but I should really do something this summer or now as my exams are finished this year. Currently I'm not doing much except debating society and going to events such as Model United Nations at Bath (BISMUN) and Oxford Union school's debating competition. I'm thinking of participating in some math challenges next year to boost the mathematical side of economics in my application although I much prefer a BA degree than BSc.

Any ideas on what sort of volunteering, work experiences or any other things I should/could do to boost my application next year? If it helps the universities I'm interested are are the top 10 such as Oxford, Warwick, Nottingham etc.

[Origami Bullets]

There's a limit to the sorts of extra-curricular activities that you can do, and for purely academic degrees like economics, there's relatively little that you can do. However, don't forget to talk about appropriate reading that you have done.

Law - whilst still an academic degree - does have more of a vocational side to it, and there's a lot more that you can do to help your application (I did BISMUN and Oxford Union as well back in the day too, although frankly debating isn't my forte ). Anyway, one option would be to look at http://www.do-it.org.uk/ and look at law-based opportunities in your area.

[Potally_Tissed]

Volunteering and other such extra-curriculars that are unrelated to what you want to study really don't count for much at all. Work experience can be a bonus if it's relevant but for academic subjects like economics and law they aren't hugely important either. Remember that you're not applying to be an economist or a lawyer, you're applying to do the academic study of economics or law. Wider reading that's relevant to the subject you're applying for is one of the most important things to do.

[michael321]

(Original post by boogiepanda)
I'm looking at either a degree in economics or law next year but I should really do something this summer or now as my exams are finished this year. Currently I'm not doing much except debating society and going to events such as Model United Nations at Bath (BISMUN) and Oxford Union school's debating competition. I'm thinking of participating in some math challenges next year to boost the mathematical side of economics in my application although I much prefer a BA degree than BSc.

Any ideas on what sort of volunteering, work experiences or any other things I should/could do to boost my application next year? If it helps the universities I'm interested are are the top 10 such as Oxford, Warwick, Nottingham etc.

You don't actually need much extra curricular stuff. What you need to do is show intelligence and interest in/aptitude for the subject. You can do this in a variety of ways, but completing DofE etc. will rarely help you. Model UN could be linked to Law I suppose, but you need to make some intelligent comments about what it taught you rather than just slap it down in the personal statement. Obviously the maths stuff is good.

My advice is to keep in mind the mantra "quality not quantity". It's much better to have a few things which are relevant and on which you comment intelligently than a massive list of activities without any development.

[carnationlilyrose]

I went to a careers advisers' conference at a northern Russell Group university last week and the admissions tutor for English said, and I quote, 'The more academic subjects, as opposed to vocational ones, at competitive, research-led universities want only minimal extracurricular details, if any at all.' For law, as a vocational subject, work experience and things like observing trials etc would be relevant. Don't take up things just to put on your PS. It's a waste of your time when you could be doing something you enjoy and which is relevant to the course.