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Proof/timeline of extracurriculars for Interviews/personal statement

During primary school i used to help younger students with learning like their maths skills. I want to mention this in my personal statement/during interviews for leadership skills and communication as it reflects well. However, I am not sure if I can as I did to this years ago and as it was during primary school.

Will universities ask me when I did this, and will it matter if I did this extracurricular during primary and not secondary school?

Reply 1

I personally wouldn’t mention stuff you did in primary school unless it’s talking about the moment that inspired your interest in the subject. So for example if youre applying for a degree in education or maths then this could be relevant as the moment that made you realise you wanted to go into teaching or had to think about explaining maths in new ways which peaked your interest (just as examples). Cant you do volunteering tutoring or in a primary school?
(edited 9 months ago)

Reply 2

Original post
by DerDracologe
I personally wouldn’t mention stuff you did in primary school unless it’s talking about the moment that inspired your interest in the subject. So for example if youre applying for a degree in education or maths then this could be relevant as the moment that made you realise you wanted to go into teaching or had to think about explaining maths in new ways which peaked your interest (just as examples). Cant you do volunteering tutoring or in a primary school?


I actually want to do dentistry and I thought this was a good ‘activity’ I did that shows leadership. However I’m not sure if I’ll be asked when I did this and if something done so far away counts

Reply 3

Original post
by hoor1
I actually want to do dentistry and I thought this was a good ‘activity’ I did that shows leadership. However I’m not sure if I’ll be asked when I did this and if something done so far away counts

I think it’s best to be honest, unis will know if youre lying. As i suggested before, you could go volunteer at a primary school or similar, or offer your services as a tutor to secondary school students. Youve got 6 months before the due date of your application so thats amble time to get some real experience and build leadership skills!
Original post
by hoor1
I actually want to do dentistry and I thought this was a good ‘activity’ I did that shows leadership. However I’m not sure if I’ll be asked when I did this and if something done so far away counts


Dentists aren’t leaders (and where they are that’s not something you’re expected to be at the start of your training) they’re healthcare workers.
Anything older than one year is questionable for inclusion in your PS. More than 2 years is only for exceptional experiences. Activities from close to a decade ago will damage your application they won’t improve it.

Reply 5

Original post
by PQ
Dentists aren’t leaders (and where they are that’s not something you’re expected to be at the start of your training) they’re healthcare workers.
Anything older than one year is questionable for inclusion in your PS. More than 2 years is only for exceptional experiences. Activities from close to a decade ago will damage your application they won’t improve it.

Just a question, if you were to write your ps during a gap year should you include things you did in year 12? Just a little confused so would really appreciate some clarification 🙂
Original post
by DerDracologe
Just a question, if you were to write your ps during a gap year should you include things you did in year 12? Just a little confused so would really appreciate some clarification 🙂


If you’re applying in October 2025 for 2026 entry at the start of a gap year then yr 12 is only just over a year.
It’s better if you have more recent activities and things to talk about but it’s not so old to be too much of an issue

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