Plenty of high school students know the college admissions process is no walk in the park. The average college application interrogates everything from your standardized test scores to your high school GPA with the enthusiasm of an FBI background check.
But that doesn't mean you should dedicate your entire high school career to the quest for killer standardized test scores. Whether you join a sports team or take on a part-time job, you'll likely make some of your best high school memories outside of the classroom.
It's also worth considering that a solid list of extracurriculars can score you bonus points with college admissions committees. But what sort of activities should you include on your application, and why do admissions officers care?
You've come to the right place to find out. We'll reveal why extracurricular activities are such an important part of a college application and even explore some of the best extracurriculars for college.
Why do colleges want to know about your extracurricular activities?
Okay, so you may not be able to score a full ride to an Ivy League university on the strength of your extracurriculars alone. There's no denying that grades and test scores are important to admissions officers.
But guess what? Even if admissions committees narrowed their applicants down to high school students who managed to pull off solid grades, they'd still be faced with more applicants than they could ever accept.
That's where extracurriculars can work their magic by helping you stand out. Extracurricular activities give admissions officers more hints about who you are than you may think. They also give admissions committees an idea of what you'll bring to the student body.
The odds are, many of your extracurriculars may have helped you develop new skills whether you realize it or not. Not only are activities like clubs and teams helpful during the college application process, but they can help you score financial aid and scholarships.
The best (and worst) ways to approach extracurricular activities
From academic clubs and community volunteering to personal hobbies, countless activities could technically count as extracurriculars.
But what are the best extracurriculars for college applications? The truth is, there's not one magic set of extracurriculars that will render any college admissions board powerless to resist your charms.
After all, college students come from a wide range of backgrounds and interests, so everyone's application will be different. It's less about what your extracurricular activities happen to be and more about how you approach selecting them. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when it comes to choosing which activities to pursue during your high school career.
- Quality over quantity
Don't just go around joining every club under the sun because you think it'll look good on your college application. Submitting a list of extracurricular activities longer than your arm may actually have the opposite effect.
At best, it will come across as exactly what it is - an ill-advised attempt to impress college admissions boards. At worst, you may come across as having commitment issues.
It's always better to choose a few activities that genuinely interest you than a boatload of random ones that don't. Not only is the first strategy a lot more fun, but you'll also stand a much better chance of getting elected to club office or accomplishing other noteworthy achievements.
- Consider relevance
While almost anything you're passionate about can technically "count" as an extracurricular, try to focus on things that highlight your dedication to your academic or career goals. When narrowing down your list, ask yourself which activities demonstrate that you have what it takes to be an awesome college student.
For instance, the college application essay may not be the time nor the place to regale your audience with exploits from your latest D&D campaign. On the other hand, if your D&D Youtube channel has amassed millions of followers, feel free to discuss the tech and marketing skills you used to make it happen.
- Dare to be different
Keep in mind that college admissions officers read a LOT of applications. That's why you shouldn't hesitate to mention any unique extracurriculars that may help you stand out.
If you create your own stop-motion short films, have a black belt in Jiu Jitsu, or are a competitive dog groomer, don't be afraid to throw it out there. Just do NOT attempt to fake your way into scoring an interview by listing a phony (albeit interesting) talent.
Lying about your extracurriculars will make for a super awkward conversation when it's the first thing your interviewer asks you about - especially if they happen to actually do that activity! Don't lose a shot at your dream school because no one from your interviewer's competitive cheese-rolling community can back up your claims of being a champion.
The top 5 types of extracurricular activities to list in your college applications
Now that you have a rough idea of how to approach your list of extracurricular activities, let's explore some of the activities you might include. Keep in mind that the following are just a few of many things you might choose to list on your college application.
1. Athletics
College admissions officers love seeing that you're involved in sports, and it's not only because they hope you'll lead their team to the next championship. Participating in sports can say a lot more about your personality and character than you may think - and we'll show you how to highlight it.
- Playing on any sports team (aptitude for teamwork and time-management skills)
- Varsity team captain (excellent leadership skills)
- Black belt in karate (impressive level of persistence and self-discipline)
- Athletics awards or championships (goal-oriented and determined)
- Volunteer little league coaching assistant (community-minded leader)
2. Leadership activities
If you've held a leadership position of any sort, don't be shy about it on your college application! There are plenty of extracurricular activities geared toward students with natural leadership abilities, and all of them are great ways to impress college admissions committees.
- Student government member
- Leadership role in any school club or program
- School newspaper editor
- Model United Nations
- Junior State of America
- Future Business Leaders of America
- Key Club
- Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC)
- Amnesty Human Rights Club
- Technovation
3. Volunteer/Work experience
Already got a part-time job? Awesome! Make sure to mention it and let college admissions officers know that you're already thriving in the real world.
If not, then rest assured that non-profit or volunteer work can look just as impressive. Community service is a great way to show you care about making the world a better place and that you can be counted on to show up and do your part.
- Habitat for Humanity
- Animal shelter volunteer
- 4-H
- DoSomething
- Best Buddies International
- American Red Cross Youth
- Rotary Club's Interact program
- Youth Volunteer Corps
- Big Brothers/Sisters School Program
- Tutoring
4. Internships
Internships are yet another excellent way to stand out by demonstrating your drive and passion for learning. Completing an internship shows that you have great time management skills, not to mention that you impressed someone enough to invest their time in you.
- NASA Internship
- Bank of America's Student Leaders® Program
- Library of Congress Work Study Program
- Microsoft Discovery Program
- NOAA Student Opportunities
- Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Internship
- BRAINYAC at Columbia
- Johns Hopkins C.A.R.E.S.
- IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center Summer Research Program
- Internships at local businesses or organizations in your area
5. Academic teams and clubs
Academic clubs and teams are a fantastic way to show off your interests and personality. By letting admissions officers know what type of clubs you were involved in during high school, you'll give them a better idea of the flavor you'll add to campus life.
- Debate team
- Odyssey of the Mind
- National Honor Society
- Quill and Scroll
- Math League
- Quiz Bowl
- Robotics club
- Chess club
- Art or drama club
- Creating writing club
As you can see, pretty much any activity that ends in the word "club" is probably a solid contender for your list.
Let College Rover pave the way to the college experience of your dreams
When approached correctly, extracurricular activities can go a long way toward making your college application stand out. The best extracurriculars for college are simply those that show admissions officers how passionate you are about pursuing your personal interests and career goals.
Think of a college application kind of like a dating profile - be yourself, but also put your best foot forward. Ready to start your search for the best college or major for you? College Rover is here to help with a streamlined platform designed to give you insight into all the information on schools you need, all in one place.
