How to Pick the Right Extracurriculars in High School for Your College Success
These days, top-tier universities don’t just want good students — they want good students who are also well-rounded. Being an academic heavyweight may not be enough to get you into your pick of schools unless you can also show that you’ll make a significant contribution to the campus culture in some way.
This is where the extracurricular activities you list on your college admissions application can make all the difference.
Why Do Your Extracurriculars Matter on Your College Application?
How you choose to spend your free time is the number one way that you can show the admissions board who you are when you’re not being a student. Your extracurriculars are where your streak of wild creativity, deep altruism or innate curiosity can shine.
Not only do your extracurriculars give the college board a better picture of your interests, personality and skillsets, they also show how well you handle challenges, work with others and set goals for yourself. Plus, the extracurriculars you choose today can become a great source of inspiration when it comes time to write that all-important personal essay for admissions.
Where Do You Start When Choosing Your Extracurriculars?
If you’re a forward-thinking high school student, picking the right extracurriculars to help you achieve your dreams can feel daunting. We have some suggestions that can help:
- Look at Your Interests and Options
You’ll be more active and engaged in an extracurricular activity that you actually enjoy, so take some time to look around at your available options and decide what interests you. In other words: Don’t try to force yourself to participate in athletics if you don’t enjoy physical activity, and don’t get involved in student government if you’re not a social butterfly.
It’s okay to dabble in several different activities for a while until you figure out what sparks your enthusiasm and motivates you to do more. While you should push yourself to try new things, you ultimately want to “play to your strengths” and find hobbies and extracurriculars that fit your personality.
- Consider the Following Ideas
Sometimes, it can help to just think about broad categories of extracurriculars to see what resonates. Some of the best extracurriculars to list on a college application include:
- Community Leadership: If you’re already part of a community club or a social services organization, moving into a leadership position shows that you care about others and have confidence in your own abilities.
- Academic Clubs: These are particularly useful when you’re deeply passionate about something and you want your extracurriculars to tie into your future field of study. Involvement shows the admissions board that your interest in a subject goes well beyond the classroom and you’re independent-minded.
- Sports: If you’re naturally athletic, getting involved in a sport or two can be a great extracurricular pursuit. Athletic participation shows that you value teamwork and are self-disciplined.
- Technological Study: If you’re more into computers than track-and-field events, that’s perfectly fine — especially if you pick up a challenging and useful skill, like computer programming or app building. This can show a college board that you are a self-starter who has the patience to learn complex skills.
- Work Experience: Whether you get a part-time job or find an internship in the summer, work experience can be a great extracurricular activity. This shows an admissions board that you’re responsible and mature enough to handle a professional setting.
- Artistic Pursuits: Theater, dance, music and art are all valid extracurriculars. Involvement in any of these can show that you’re well-rounded, a free-thinker and creative — all attributes that top-tier schools value.
Finally, don’t overlook the value of a mentored activity program. If your extracurricular options seem too limited, independent research (complete with a presentation and report of your findings) can help you demonstrate talent, ambition and drive.
