competitions that boost your application: finding the right fit

by iris madeira,

team madhavi desai, counselling students since 1986 and helping families navigate international university admissions for over 37 years.

when students begin thinking about profile building, competitions are often one of the first activities they consider. sometimes that's because they're genuinely excited by the opportunity. sometimes it's because they've heard that universities "like students who win competitions." the reality is more nuanced.

after counselling 29,000+ students applying to universities across 35+ countries, we've found that competitions strengthen an application not because they add another achievement to a résumé, but because they encourage students to challenge themselves, develop new skills and pursue interests beyond the classroom.

universities aren't looking for students who have entered the greatest number of competitions. they're looking for students who have demonstrated genuine curiosity, commitment and growth. choosing the right competition matters far more than choosing the most prestigious one.

why competitions matter

competitions provide students with opportunities that classrooms often cannot. they encourage independent thinking. they require problem-solving under pressure. they teach resilience through both success and failure.

most importantly, they help students apply their knowledge in real-world situations. whether a student is presenting an idea, conducting research, building a prototype or performing on stage, competitions create experiences that often become meaningful stories in university essays and interviews. the goal isn't simply participation. it's purposeful participation.

1. writing and public speaking competitions

students who enjoy expressing ideas often thrive in writing competitions, debates and public speaking events. these activities develop far more than communication skills.

students learn how to:

• organise their thoughts clearly

• research different perspectives

• present convincing arguments

• communicate confidently with different audiences

• think critically under time pressure

  
  

these skills naturally carry over into university essays, interviews and classroom discussions. even students who begin as nervous speakers often develop remarkable confidence through regular participation. growth is far more valuable than perfection.

2. stem and science competitions

for students interested in science, technology, engineering or mathematics, competitions provide an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to practical challenges. examples include:

• coding competitions

• robotics challenges

• mathematics olympiads

• science fairs

• engineering design competitions

• research competitions

  
  

these experiences demonstrate curiosity, analytical thinking and perseverance. rather than simply showing strong grades, students demonstrate how they approach complex problems and develop practical solutions. universities appreciate applicants who actively engage with their academic interests outside the classroom.

3. business and entrepreneurship challenges

business competitions encourage students to think creatively while solving real-world problems. whether developing a business plan, pitching an innovative idea or designing sustainable solutions, students gain valuable experience in:

• teamwork

• leadership

• communication

• financial thinking

• strategic planning

• presentation skills

  
  

these competitions also help students understand how ideas move from concept to implementation, an important skill across many university disciplines. even students who don't plan to study business often benefit from the confidence and collaboration these experiences develop.

4. creative competitions

creativity is increasingly valued across university applications, regardless of a student's intended major.

• art competitions

• photography contests

• film festivals

• design challenges

• creative writing competitions

• music and performance events

these platforms allow students to demonstrate originality, imagination and sustained creative practice. for many applicants, a creative portfolio becomes one of the most distinctive parts of their profile because it reflects personal expression rather than academic performance alone.

5. choose competitions that genuinely interest you

one of the biggest mistakes students make is entering competitions simply because they believe they will "look good" on an application. that approach rarely works. students usually struggle to remain committed to activities they don't genuinely enjoy.

universities can often recognise the difference between authentic involvement and participation chosen purely for admissions purposes.

instead, ask yourself:

• which subjects genuinely excite me?

• what skills would i enjoy developing?

• which activities would i continue even if they weren't part of my application?

  
  

the answers to these questions often lead students towards competitions where they naturally perform their best.authenticity creates stronger applications than prestige alone.

6. focus on depth, not quantity

students sometimes feel pressure to participate in as many competitions as possible. in reality, a smaller number of meaningful experiences often carries far greater impact. long-term involvement allows students to:

• improve their skills

• take on leadership roles

• reflect on their learning

• demonstrate sustained commitment

• build stronger stories for applications

  
  

admissions officers generally value depth of engagement more than lengthy lists of unrelated activities. consistency tells a far stronger story than constant switching.

a counsellor's observation

through years of our counselling experience, we've noticed that the students who benefit most from competitions aren't necessarily those who collect the most awards. they're the ones who challenge themselves. they embrace feedback. they continue participating after setbacks. they learn to communicate better. they become more confident. sometimes they win.

sometimes they don't. but either way, they leave the experience with stronger skills, greater self-awareness and a deeper understanding of their own interests.

those qualities often matter far more than the medal itself.

competitions should support your interests not define them

competitions are valuable because they encourage students to grow, explore and apply what they're learning in meaningful ways. they shouldn't become activities pursued only to strengthen an application.

at team madhavi desai, we encourage students to choose opportunities that genuinely reflect their interests and strengths. when competitions are selected thoughtfully, they help students build confidence, develop practical skills and create authentic experiences that strengthen university applications naturally.

frequently asked questions

1. do students need to win competitions for them to matter on a university application?

   
   

   no. universities recognise effort, growth and sustained commitment alongside achievement. students who participate consistently, develop new skills and reflect on their experiences often present stronger applications than those who focus only on collecting awards.
   

2. how many competitions should students participate in?
   

   quality matters more than quantity. it's generally better to participate meaningfully in one or two competitions over time than to enter many unrelated events without sustained involvement or growth.
   

3. what types of competitions are most valuable?
   

   the most valuable competitions are those that align with a student's genuine interests and future goals. writing, stem, business, leadership and creative competitions can all strengthen an application when they reflect authentic engagement.
   

4. when should students start participating in competitions?
   

   students can begin exploring competitions as early as grades 8 or 9, allowing enough time to discover their interests, develop skills and build meaningful experiences before university applications begin.
   

5. how does team madhavi desai help students choose the right opportunities?
   

   we help students identify activities, competitions and profile-building opportunities that align with their interests, strengths and long-term academic goals. through personalised counselling, we focus on building authentic, well-rounded student profiles that reflect genuine growth rather than simply accumulating achievements.