Extracurricular Activities: Your Key to College Admissions

Extracurricular activities extend beyond the classroom to include school clubs, sports, volunteering, hobbies, and creative projects that foster teamwork, leadership, and time management. These activities account for roughly 30% of a college application and help admissions officers understand students’ passions, dedication, and non-academic strengths. Getting into college can feel like a competitive sport, and you want to stand out-and extracurriculars can help you do just that.

Why Extracurriculars Matter

In a 2023 survey, 51% of colleges rated extracurricular activities as moderately or considerably important to admissions decisions. Extracurriculars are activities that you do outside of your required school work. These activities communicate a lot to college admissions officers, demonstrating your unique skills and emphasizing your dedication to something outside the structure of the classroom. Colleges want students with unique perspectives and backgrounds.

Types of Extracurricular Activities

The best extracurriculars for college will be those that align with your interests and passions. Here's a look at some of the best extracurricular activities for securing a place at a good university.

Leadership Positions

High school is a great time to practice and develop your leadership skills, which colleges love to see. Clubs and organizations are excellent opportunities to seek out leadership positions and get both training and mentorship. For example, as the president or treasurer of a student organization, you’ll learn to follow - and promote - certain rules and standards so you can effectively fulfill your duties and lead by example. Taking on leadership roles in school clubs or organizations shows that you can motivate peers, manage projects, and make crucial decisions. These skills will help you in college and beyond. If you’ve done this: You’ve learned how to turn ideas into action, solve conflicts, and take responsibility for your team’s success.

Part-Time Jobs

Part time jobs are another way you can hone real-world skills, network with professionals, build your resume, and stand out to colleges. According to NACAC, 1 in 3 colleges surveyed considered applicants’ work history “moderately” or “considerably” important. Your part-time employer could even provide a letter of recommendation that highlights your strengths and skills outside the classroom. Beyond college applications, part-time jobs give you the opportunity to build relationships with potential full-time employers. Research suggests that up to 80% of people get work opportunities from people they know. Including part-time jobs, internships, or other work experiences in your college application shows that you have practical skills, are responsible, and can balance schoolwork with real-life responsibilities. Showcasing your work experience tells colleges you're hardworking, good at managing your time, and know how to handle yourself professionally. Admissions officers understand that working while studying helps you become financially independent and contributes to your personal and professional growth. So, if you've had a job during high school, include it in your application.

Read also: Explore Medical Extracurriculars

Internships

Like part-time jobs, internships can be beneficial to your future career and college applications. An internship - whether paid or unpaid - lets you explore a prospective career path and shows colleges you’re serious about a particular field. As an intern, you’ll likely have multiple responsibilities and can learn about the different roles available in that industry. Internships stand out as strategic extracurricular activities for students aiming to distinguish themselves in the competitive landscape of US university admissions. Through real-world experience, internships can demonstrate your proactivity and dedication towards your intended field of study. They provide tangible proof of your commitment, essential for standing out in a pool of academically accomplished applicants. Furthermore, internships are a testament to your ability to apply classroom knowledge to practical challenges, showcasing adaptability and problem-solving skills that are highly valued by admission committees. Participating in internships also reflects an understanding of professional environments, a maturity that can significantly bolster your college application. Internships give you a deeper understanding of your field of interest and prepare you for success in college and your potential future career.

Passion Projects

What could possibly bring more joy and satisfaction - not to mention impress college admissions officers - than a passion project? The ability to make something you’ve dreamed of could be just the beginning of an entrepreneurial empire and ultimately develop into a long, fruitful career. What’s more, colleges love seeing dedication to specific interests. Passion projects could include creating a product, running a service, or even writing a book - whatever makes you tick. Whether you launched a small business, a nonprofit, or a creative project, taking the initiative proves you’re a self-starter with problem-solving skills. If you’ve done this: You’ve faced challenges head-on, adapted when things didn’t go as planned, and turned an idea into reality.

Community Service and Volunteering

Helping others can build character and allows you to make a positive contribution to society. Community service can also help you meet like-minded people, learn more about your community’s needs, and hone your leadership skills. In a 2018 report, 58% of surveyed college admissions officers agreed that community service improved an applicant’s chance of getting accepted. Colleges love to see students who give back. Volunteering shows that you care about the world beyond your school and are willing to take action. If you’ve done this: You’ve gained a deeper understanding of social issues and worked alongside different communities to create change. Putting your volunteering and community service activities on your application is a great way to show that you're dedicated to making a positive difference, not just in school but in the wider world. Volunteering reflects initiative, leadership, and a strong sense of social responsibility-qualities that are highly valued in the academic circles of higher education. In particular it can provide practical experience and soft skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and effective communication. When students contribute to a cause that is meaningful to them, it not only benefits society but also fosters personal growth and maturity. Admissions officers often look for evidence of these qualities because they are indicative of a proactive, responsible, and community-oriented individual.

Sports and Athletics

Playing sports in high school offers endless benefits, from learning to work together to athletic scholarships. You can pursue any sport and any position in that sport - as long as you’re consistent and able to maintain your grades. Participating in a sport also shows you can balance competing priorities, especially if you have a leadership role. As a team captain, for example, you’re proving to colleges that you can show up for your team, manage conflict, and motivate others. Playing sports-whether varsity, club, or recreational-demonstrates teamwork, perseverance, and resilience. If you’ve done this: You’ve pushed yourself to new limits, learned to handle both wins and losses, and developed a strong work ethic. Being involved in sports isn't just about staying physically fit; it also helps you develop important skills like leadership, managing your time effectively, and staying cool under pressure. These are all qualities that colleges look for in students. You don’t even need to be the fastest person on the track or the highest-scoring basketball player. Participation in sports teams and leagues signals to admissions committees that you hold valuable attributes such as teamwork, leadership, and perseverance. It showcases your ability to balance academic pursuits with personal growth and your capacity to contribute a diverse perspective to campus culture.

Academic Clubs

Math league, spelling bees, and chemistry club are all examples of academic clubs that can showcase your passion for a certain subject - ideally your intended major. Competing in events like the Science Olympiad, debate teams, or math competitions shows that you love learning and can apply your knowledge in high-pressure situations. If you’ve done this: You’ve pushed yourself beyond your comfort zone and experienced the thrill of solving challenging problems. It's not just about being smart; it also shows that you're willing to put extra effort and initiative into your education. This kind of dedication contributes to the academic energy of the college community, and college admissions teams see that. So, make sure to mention your extracurricular academic pursuits in your application. It helps show colleges that you're eager to learn and challenge yourself beyond standard expectations.

Artistic and Creative Pursuits

The sky’s the limit for creatives. Maybe you’re interested in the visual arts, such as painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, or graphic design. Or maybe you’re a fan of the performing arts or writing poetry. Whatever the case, colleges like to see applicants who are creative, innovative, and willing to go outside their comfort zones. For colleges that consider them, an audition or recording of your creative talent could raise your application to the next level. Music, theater, dance, creative writing, and visual arts all require discipline and creativity. These activities show you bring a unique perspective and artistic expression to your college community. If you’ve done this: You’ve learned to take feedback, improve your craft, and express yourself confidently. Showcasing your artistic and creative activities on your college application provides a glimpse into your unique way of expressing yourself, your imagination, and your passion for the arts. Creative arts add to a lively and diverse campus environment. Being creative and involved in artistic activities shows that you think differently and are not just focused on traditional academic subjects. By partaking in culturally rich experiences like cultural cooking workshops or establishing international pen pal relationships, you can demonstrate intercultural competence and the ability to thrive in a multicultural environment. This not only enriches personal growth but also appeals to admissions committees by showcasing a drive to bridge cultural gaps and contribute to a dynamic campus community.

Technological and Scientific Innovations

“I made an app for that!” might be what you say on your application if your extracurricular involves tinkering with coding. Robotics, gaming, and science fairs are all great STEM pursuits to consider - they communicate to colleges that you’re committed to innovation and leaving the world a little better than you found it. Programming, robotics, and digital design show you’re tech-savvy and ready for the future. If you’ve done this: You’ve learned how to problem-solve creatively, troubleshoot issues, and build something from the ground up. Not only will these activities showcase your passion for these fields, often a prerequisite for specialized programs, but they also reflect critical thinking, innovation, and problem-solving skills that are heavily valued. Engaging in activities such as robotics clubs, coding bootcamps, or science Olympiads can provide tangible proof of your abilities and commitment, effectively differentiating them in a pool of academically qualified applicants.

Entrepreneurial Projects

Entrepreneurial projects highlight students’ ability to take the lead, stand up for an important cause, and innovate. If your project solves a particular need, you might even qualify for business scholarships.

How to Choose the Right Activities

Extracurriculars are central to a strong college application but, more importantly, to the development of a strong applicant. Ultimately, the best extracurriculars for college for you will be those you are passionate about and have the resources and time to do without sacrificing your academic success. Rather than joining many different groups or the most prestigious clubs, focus on the ones that spark your talents. After-school activities offer a fun way to explore interests and develop friendships. This may be one reason why more than 80% of adolescents ages 12-17 take part in at least one extracurricular activity. When choosing activities to get involved in, keep in mind that colleges want to learn about what interests you and what skills you can bring to their campus community. Don’t pick an extracurricular just because you think it will look good on a college application. It's better to choose activities that align with your true interests and goals, giving you a more focused and enjoyable experience. Colleges prefer to see you committed and engaged in fewer activities instead of participating in a long list of activities where you aren't truly involved.

While not every high school offers fencing, competitive rock-paper-scissors, rock-climbing competitions, or quidditch, you can always propose or start your own club. Creating a club can help you stand out as a leader and showcase your biggest interests, whether that’s dancing or cooking.

Making the Most of Your Extracurriculars

While extracurriculars are important for college applications, remember to have fun and reflect on the valuable skills and experiences you’ve gained. Think of school-sponsored activities as a way to complement your regular classroom studies. If you like a specific subject or aspect of a class, chances are your school offers a related program. For example, joining the school newspaper if you enjoy writing or math club if you have a knack for algebra.

Timeline for Extracurricular Involvement

Freshman Year: Freshman year is a student’s opportunity to join multiple clubs across different fields of interest, both in and out of the school environment. Students with an interest in music and athletics should try out for the band or sports teams.
Sophomore Year: During sophomore year, students should begin narrowing the focus of their extracurricular activities, spending their time on the activities most meaningful to them. If there’s something a student is extremely passionate about but has no outlet for, they should start a group or organization to support that interest. Students should also consider potential future leadership opportunities in the extracurricular activities that they’re already involved in.
Junior Year: Because colleges and universities value leadership, students in their junior year should seek out as many leadership positions as possible.

Tiering of Extracurricular Activities

There’s no such thing as a bad extracurricular activity; however, some are more impressive to colleges than others. The extracurricular activities that stand out the most are those that admissions officers see the least-the more successful or involved a student is in their chosen activity, the more it will resonate with college admissions officers.

Tier 1: Tier 1 activities are rare and demonstrate exceptional achievement or leadership. The impressiveness of what a student has accomplished in their pursuit and the scarcity with which such activities are seen make them extremely impactful with admissions officers. Tier 1 activities can include athletic achievements, such as being a highly recruited basketball player or a nationally ranked tennis player. Likewise, national recognition for musical prowess such as winning a Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award qualifies as a Tier 1 activity. Attendance at a distinguished summer program, such as the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program, also counts as a Tier 1 extracurricular activity. In some instances, volunteering will also qualify as a Tier 1 activity. Students who start regional or national organizations that receive news coverage often have the high-profile status desired by colleges. These kinds of volunteer efforts can range from collecting non-perishable foods for a community following a natural disaster to turning a love of soccer into an effort to build fields in underserved communities.
Tier 2: Tier 2 extracurriculars are endeavors that show high levels of achievement and leadership, and are impressive accomplishments to have in a student’s profile. Examples of Tier 2 activities include holding a leadership position, like president or chair, in a well-respected club such as the Model UN, debate team, or Science Olympiad. Successes on the playing field and on the stage-for example, making an all-state selection in football, band, or orchestra-are also excellent examples of Tier 2 extracurricular activities. Self-driven activities can also qualify as Tier 2 extracurriculars. These can include creating a short film that wins a regional competition, or being a finalist in prestigious national competitions such as the competition for National Youth Poet Laureate.
Tier 3: Holding a minor leadership position in clubs like the Model UN, debate team, and Science Olympiad are good examples of Tier 3 extracurricular activities. Possessing a position such as treasurer or secretary in a club also qualifies as a Tier 3 activity. Athletes who didn’t qualify for an all-state team, but who earned distinctions like a Player of the Week award can find their participation in sports in Tier 3.
Tier 4: Tier 4 extracurricular activities are the most common activities seen by college admissions officers. General membership in the aforementioned clubs (such as the Model UN, debate team, and Science Olympiad) are Tier 4 activities. Likewise, participation in sports-like being a member of the track team or taking karate for five years-is useful for highlighting a student’s pursuits outside the classroom. General volunteerism is also a reliable Tier 4 activity.

What Qualifies as an Extracurricular?

As a general rule, anything you do routinely outside of the classroom-and not for academic credit-counts as an extracurricular. For example, watching Netflix wouldn’t count, but running your own movie critique and analysis blog would. Casually playing Minecraft wouldn’t count, but programming your own Minecraft plugins with 1,000+ downloads each would. In both examples, the situations that wouldn’t count were simply activities for leisure. In a similar vein, extracurriculars are something that you should devote significant time to. Basically any organized club, sport, or other activity can be classified as an extracurricular as long as you’ve shown dedication and the activity has helped you grow in some meaningful way. Personal projects like running a half marathon, building an app, or learning to do a Lutz jump would also fit the criteria of an extracurricular.

How Colleges Evaluate Extracurriculars

Not all hobbies or recreational activities count as extracurriculars. For example, things like playing video games or watching films would not be considered an extracurricular activity. Generally speaking, extracurriculars need to involve some concerted effort and contribute to your personal development.

Look for patterns: when admissions officers review a candidate’s application, they look for noticeable patterns among the activities they have engaged in. Having some variety on your resume is certainly beneficial. Being able to list physical as well as intellectual endeavors can show balance, for instance.
Assess your commitment: universities admissions officers want to see that you are committed to the extracurriculars you choose. One way to showcase commitment is through the length of your participation in an activity. The longer you have been involved, the better it will look on your resume. It can be wise to leave out any very short-lived extracurricular activities as it may give the impression that you do not take club membership seriously or that you lack focus.
Examine your community involvement: being involved in community groups is just as valuable as being involved in clubs at school. These outside activities can add to your abilities to pursue your passions, show deep commitment and identify leadership opportunities.
Gauge your leadership skills: the extent of your participation in extracurricular activities is equally important as the duration. It adds a competitive edge to your application if you held a special position or role in it which helped develop your leadership skills.

The Impact of Extracurriculars on College Admissions

They Make Your Essay Stronger. Your activities give you real experiences to write about in your college essays. Whether you started a club, led a service project, or played on a sports team, these stories highlight your growth, leadership, and determination.

They Help Your Letters of Recommendation Shine. Teachers and mentors can write stronger, more personal recommendation letters when they see your dedication outside the classroom. They can highlight leadership, teamwork, and perseverance.

They Open the Door to Merit Scholarships. Many merit-based scholarships take extracurricular involvement into account. You might qualify for additional financial aid if you’ve demonstrated leadership, community impact, or unique talents.

They Show You Can Handle College Life. Balancing school, activities, and other commitments proves to colleges that you have time management skills essential for college success.

Common Application Activities List

Below, you’ll find an Example Common Application Activities List! This fictional student demonstrates a strong hook in environmental science and art. Her hook is conveyed through an impressive mix of in-school extracurriculars, out-of-school activities, summer activities, and hobbies. Not only has she pursued multiple activities in both environmental science and art, but she has also found and studied creative intersections between these fields, through painting murals at local gardens, featuring and selling her nature photography on her personal social media, and studying environmental art at a summer program. By reading her Activities List, admissions officers would be able to envision her continuing to explore these intersections as an undergraduate, as well as contributing to sustainability initiatives and artistic projects and clubs on campus. Through this highly descriptive and well-crafted Activities List, admissions officers can glean this prospective student’s important priorities and some of her salient characteristics. This student is creatively-minded, self-driven, capable of leading groups and teams, and interested in community-building. It is clear that as a student in NYC, she has taken advantage of the extensive resources at her disposal-universities, museums, nonprofits, and even her own apartment complex-in order to contribute to her community and explore her passions from multiple angles. Lastly, the fact that this student is an accomplished student-athlete speaks to her ability to manage her time effectively and develop an impressive and diverse variety of skills. Admissions officers always look to see whether a student’s selections for their intended majors align with their hook and Activities List, and in this case, this Activities List would best complement an intended double-major in Environmental Science and Studio Art. Because this student also has an entrepreneurial streak, she could optionally indicate a secondary interest in business if a school offers dual degrees, majors, or minors in business administration for undergraduates.

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