why competitions matter in your early years (long before applications)

by iris madeira, team madhavi desai, counselling students since 1986 and helping families navigate international university admissions for nearly four decades.

when students hear the word competition, many immediately think about university applications.

• should i participate?

• will this strengthen my profile?

• does winning matter?

  
  

in reality, the greatest value of competitions often comes much earlier, before students begin thinking about admissions at all. having guided more than 29,000+ students to universities across 35+ countries, we've found that the strongest university profiles rarely begin with strategic planning in grade 11 or 12. they begin years earlier, when students explore opportunities simply because they're curious to learn, challenge themselves and discover new interests.

here are five reasons why we encourage students to start participating in competitions well before application season.

1. competitions build confidence through experience

confidence isn't something students suddenly develop during university interviews.

it's built gradually through repeated experiences. whether it's presenting an idea, solving a problem under time pressure or performing before an audience, competitions encourage students to step outside their comfort zone.

not every experience will end with a prize. but every experience helps students become a little more comfortable with uncertainty, feedback and growth. over time, that confidence extends far beyond competitions into classrooms, presentations and everyday learning.

2. they help students discover genuine interests

one of the biggest advantages of participating early is exploration. students often believe they already know what they're interested in. competitions allow them to test those assumptions. a student may discover a passion for:

• debate

• creative writing

• robotics

• mathematics

• entrepreneurship

• environmental science

• design

• public speaking
  

trying different opportunities helps students make future academic and career decisions based on experience rather than assumptions.

3. real skills develop naturally

competitions create situations where important skills are developed through experience instead of theory. students learn how to:

• communicate ideas clearly

• solve problems creatively

• collaborate with others

• think critically

• manage time effectively

• respond to challenges calmly

  
  

these are the same skills that continue to benefit students throughout school, university and their future careers.

4. authentic growth matters more than winning

students sometimes hesitate because they worry they won't win. in reality, universities and more importantly, personal growth—rarely depend on collecting trophies. what matters far more is sustained participation, curiosity and the willingness to improve.

students who participate consistently often gain resilience, discipline and confidence that cannot be measured by certificates alone. the learning process is usually far more valuable than the final result.

5. starting early creates a more authentic profile later

ironically, students who begin participating without thinking about university applications often develop the strongest applications in the future. years of genuine involvement tell a much more authentic story than activities added only during the final years of school.

admissions officers are often looking for evidence of sustained curiosity, commitment and personal growth. those qualities are much easier to demonstrate when they've developed naturally over time.

a counsellor's observation

one pattern we've consistently observed over years of counselling is that students who start exploring opportunities early rarely describe those experiences as "profile-building." they talk about discovering a new interest. meeting like-minded friends. learning to handle setbacks.

finding confidence they didn't realise they had. years later, those same experiences often become some of the strongest parts of their university applications not because they were planned that way, but because they genuinely shaped the student's journey.

every competition is an opportunity to grow

competitions are about much more than medals or certificates. they encourage students to explore new interests, build confidence, develop practical skills and become more comfortable stepping outside their comfort zones.

starting early allows students to enjoy these experiences without the pressure of university admissions, while naturally building qualities that remain valuable throughout school, university and beyond.

at team madhavi desai, we encourage students to pursue meaningful opportunities that reflect their interests, strengths and curiosity. having guided more than 29,000+ students to universities across 35+ countries, we've seen that the strongest university applications are often built long before students begin thinking about admissions through consistent learning, authentic exploration and a willingness to try something new.

frequently asked questions

1. when should students start participating in competitions?

   
   

   many students begin exploring competitions during middle school or early high school. starting early provides time to discover interests, build confidence and develop skills without the pressure of university applications.
   

2. do students need to win competitions for them to be valuable?
   

   no. while awards can certainly be rewarding, the greatest benefits often come from the skills, resilience and learning students gain through participation and consistent effort.
   

3. should students participate in many different competitions?
   

   exploration is valuable in the early years, but over time it's often more meaningful to continue with activities that genuinely interest you rather than trying to participate in everything available.
   

4. can competitions help students choose a future career?
   

   yes. competitions expose students to different subjects, industries and ways of thinking, helping them discover interests that may influence future subject choices, university courses and career paths.
   

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

   we help students identify activities, competitions and learning experiences that align with their interests, strengths and long-term aspirations. our goal is to support authentic exploration that contributes to both personal growth and stronger university applications.