Admissions officers at top-tier universities are seeking to admit students who have engaged tangibly with their subjects of interest both in and outside of the classroom. Rather than amateur enthusiasts, they want to fill their classes with students who have a background of high-level engagement and who will hit the ground running when they arrive on campus. One of the most compelling ways that students can show their hands-on experience in their field, as well as their commitment to using their knowledge in service of their communities, is through participation in extracurricular activities.
Like every aspect of a successful application, your extracurricular activities should tell a compelling and cohesive story about your development as a person and scholar. Rather than a random assortment of activities that you think will impress admissions officers, your extracurricular involvements should testify to your sustained exploration of your subject of interest and your initiative to deepen your knowledge through leadership, activism, and increased specialization.
Why Do Extracurriculars Matter?
During the application review process, admissions officers must succinctly describe the merits and qualities of a student, whether on paper or to a committee of their colleagues that makes the final decision about whether to admit or deny a student. Because admissions offices receive thousands of applications from students with excellent or even perfect grades and standardized test scores, extracurriculars play a crucial role in building a unique narrative that enables them to stand out among other applicants. Whether your hook is being an elite-student athlete who can contribute to a college’s team, a theater buff with a YouTube channel dedicated to helping others put on productions, or a future diplomat who wants to keep other high schoolers informed about international affairs, colleges will look closely to see how you are pursuing your passions, developing your talents, and improving your community.
Extracurriculars are vehicles for implicitly conveying your personal values and intangible skills. While holding an elected position in a club, being voted captain of a team, or having a big part in a play may be obvious indicators of your hard work and aptitude for an activity, involvement in extracurriculars also shows that you can effectively communicate your own ideas and listen to others. College is a collaborative atmosphere, and being involved in extracurricular activities indicates that you will be able to thrive in a group environment.
When you fill out the Activities section of the Common App, the Coalition App, or the University of California app, listing multiple meaningful activities will add valuable personalizing information to your application. Every activity that you describe demonstrates another facet of your interests and abilities to your colleges. Failing to flesh out an Activities section with interesting, distinctive activities and achievements is a missed opportunity. Even before reading your personal statement and supplemental essays, admissions officers should be able to gain strong insight into your interests, accomplishments, and potential niche on campus solely from reading your Activities section. A great Activities section will also pique officers’ interest and make them excited to proceed to reading your essays, where you’ll delve deeper into the special experiences you’ve had in high school and what you’ve learned from them.
Top universities could fill their freshman class multiple times over with students with perfect GPAs and standardized test scores, but they do not want to. Admissions officers are looking to create a diverse student body, one whose students, in addition to having academic strengths, will get involved in diverse activities on campus, create original projects, and eventually contribute to their institution’s reputation for having innovative and socially-minded alumni. Involvement in meaningful extracurriculars signifies that you will bring specialized knowledge to your college community and share your voice in classes, clubs, teams, and other groups once on campus.
Building a standout admissions profile and Activities List through your extracurricular involvements requires strategy and creativity—of course, students should participate and pursue leadership positions in the extracurricular activities offered through their school. However, these activities alone will not stand out to admissions officers at top schools. Competitive institutions are looking for students who have gone above and beyond in their extracurricular pursuits—they want to admit students who have taken initiative beyond the institutional offerings available to them and found creative and unique ways to pursue their passions outside of the classroom.
Tips from a Senior Mentor:
How you distinguish yourself through your activities will vary depending on your particular field of interest and collegiate goals—a student interested in medicine will necessarily need to demonstrate their initiative and creativity in ways that are distinct from a student who wants to study finance. However, there are three key factors every student should consider to elevate their extracurricular profile:
- Pursue Opportunities Outside of School: Thousands of Ivy League applicants are leaders of school clubs and organizations, so while serving in this type of leadership position doesn’t hurt, it certainly won’t set you apart from the crowd. Top colleges are looking for applicants who don’t only serve their immediate school community, but engage with their broader city or region. Volunteering with local organizations, religious groups, or cultural communities can differentiate you from your peers.
- Showcase Intellectual Depth: Whether you’re interested in creative writing, science, or history, you should use your extracurricular involvements to engage with your field beyond the surface-level. It’s one thing to write a paper about molecular biology and another to participate in hands-on lab research, complete an independent project, or publish your work in the discipline. These activities allow you to deepen your understanding beyond theoretical knowledge to gain actual, tangible experience—something that will distinguish you from other applicants.
- Educate Others: Sometimes, the best way to learn is by teaching. Sharing your knowledge with others is a powerful way to deepen your own understanding while also showcasing your leadership skills and community involvement. If you’re passionate about creative writing, host a workshop for middle schoolers. If you are interested in STEM, start a YouTube channel on low-level coding for budding enthusiasts. If you love literature, start a book club for seniors at your local library.
How can you develop a profile that showcases your creativity and expertise? We’ve provided examples of ways students in various disciplines might level up their extracurricular involvements below, along with expert advice from our Senior Mentors!
If you’re interested in politics, don’t just participate in Mock Trial, also become an activist in your community.
Politics is a “boots on the ground” discipline, so students should aim to showcase their active involvement beyond curated and artificial settings such as Mock Trial or debate team (which lay a solid foundation in essential skills) through real-world participation in the political process. For example, a student could start an initiative to educate high schoolers about the importance of civic participation, pairing round table discussions with local political leaders with voter registration drives. The more you can apply your theoretical knowledge within your own community, the better!
Discover more about finding your hook in Law & Political Science.
If you’re interested in pre-medicine, don’t just volunteer at a hospital, also engage in medical research.
While volunteering in a hospital is a great way to serve your community within the context of a medical facility, this activity rarely allows students to deepen their knowledge of scientific and medical principles—student volunteers or those shadowing doctors are often tasked with handing tools around, sanitizing equipment, or bringing patients water. Additionally, volunteer work of this kind is a fairly common activity for pre-med applicants to list on their Activities List. In addition to volunteering, students interested in premed should seek out opportunities to engage in research—no matter how big or small. Reach out to a professor at a local college or university and request the opportunity to contribute to their research as a lab assistant, or launch a research project of your own!
Discover more about finding your hook in Medicine and learn how to secure a research opportunity.
If you’re interested in engineering, don’t just compete on the robotics team, also showcase your independent innovation.
Engineering applicants often rely on the work they produce on the robotics team or in a STEM-based class to fill their portfolios when applying to schools like MIT. One of the best ways for students to take their application to the next level is to develop their own innovative design in the workshop independently. Designing an innovative piece of machinery or developing a new software application shows your capacity to create something innovative and unique, outside of the formal opportunities offered at your school.
Discover more about finding your hook in STEM.
If you’re interested in business, don’t just join Future Business Leaders of America, also intern or start your own business.
Business is one of the most accessible fields for extracurricular exploration because it doesn’t require advanced technical knowledge to get started. While clubs like FBLA or DECA can offer a great foundation, participating in a club doesn’t offer you firsthand experience in the business world that is crucial for gaining admission to competitive programs such as Penn Wharton or University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. Take the initiative to start your own business, intern at a local corporation, or delve into research about business operations. For example, you might launch a small e-commerce store to gain experience with marketing and supply chain management or work on a case study project as an amateur consultant to help a local business improve its strategy. Even business-adjacent opportunities such as internships focused on social media marketing or public relations can help you develop awareness about business operations and strategies. These activities show top colleges that you’re not just learning about business but also practicing it in meaningful ways.
Discover more about finding your hook in Economics & Business.
If you’re interested in English, don’t just write for the school newspaper, also submit your writing to Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.
If you’re interested in English, focus on developing a strong writing portfolio. Writing for your school newspaper or becoming the editor of the literary magazine are excellent starting points, but to level up, it’s important to seek opportunities to publish your writing outside your school context or earn an award for your writing in a national competition. These avenues are eye-catching on college applications because they show admissions officers that the quality of your work has been acknowledged by a reputable, independent third party.
Discover more about finding your hook in Literature.
Your Most Pressing Questions about Extracurriculars, Answered!
Given how consequential extracurriculars are in the college admissions process, they can also be a source of anxiety and confusion for students and parents alike. How should you approach extracurricular selection strategically? Which extracurriculars will help you stand out? What are admissions officers looking for on your Activities List? Below, we provide our answers to five of the most common questions we receive from students and parents to help you plan your extracurricular involvements!
Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this question—what will stand out to admissions officers are activities that show your knowledge and experience in your intended area of study. As such, the answer to this question depends largely on what you want to major in, as well as the specific programs to which you are applying. For instance, if you’re interested in medical school and dream of enrolling in Brown’s PLME program, you should deliberately select activities that not only show your proficiency as a student of the sciences, but your commitment to interdisciplinary approaches to scientific research.
Additionally, regardless of your subject area, top schools want to see that students have assumed leadership roles in clubs or organizations they care about. Students should strive for longevity in their extracurricular involvements, applying for leadership positions as they become available. You can also demonstrate your leadership and initiative by founding a club or spearheading an initiative that aligns with your goals and passions.
As a general rule, students should avoid selecting activities based on what they assume admissions officers want to see and focus instead on the qualities and guiding interests that they want to showcase through their application materials.
What Our Mentors Have to Say:
“The admissions team should be able to read through your extracurricular list and say to themselves: “I know what this student cares about.” A major factor in this is the student’s commitment and strength in a given club, volunteer group, or sports team. The longer the student participates in an extracurricular, and the more initiative and leadership roles they take on, the stronger their list will be.”
Summer programs and internships provide excellent opportunities for students to explore their interests outside of the classroom, gain professional experience, and in some cases, demonstrate their readiness for collegiate study. Like extracurriculars, internships and summer programs should be selected on the basis of a students’ goals and interests. Internships tend to be more challenging for high school students to secure, as many typically require some job experience. However, motivated students can leverage their connections and search within their local communities to find an opportunity that aligns with their passions. Whether you’re interning at Facebook or helping out at a startup in your hometown, internships are what you make of them—the more you take initiative and seek opportunities to learn and grow, the more fruitful they will be. Keeping a journal and taking notes about the lessons you’ve learned and tangible contributions you’ve made can be helpful as you write about your internship on your applications.
When it comes to academic summer programs, note that not all programs will have the same positive impact on your application. Despite being branded as “prestigious,” pre-college programs, which are paid programs hosted at various universities, tend to say more about a family’s affluence rather than a student’s academic abilities. At the same time, these programs can still have their merits—they can help younger students discover their interests and passions, develop independence, and build their academic and social skills. Merit-based academic programs such as Yale Young Global Scholars, LaunchX, and New York Times Summer Academy will convey your professional and academic acumen to colleges while challenging you to develop in your field.
For more information on summer planning, check out our comprehensive guide!
What Our Mentors Have to Say:
“Colleges want to see that a student has made it through a previous selection committee—particularly when it comes to something that is going to be intellectually and academically challenging. Personally, I generally suggest that students apply to summer programs that match their existing interests, rather than viewing summer programs as an opportunity to explore new interests.”
The quality of your extracurricular involvement is much more important than the quantity. Top colleges are looking for students who are deeply engaged in activities that are meaningful to them, rather than those who pad their resume with dozens of activities that do not relate to their hook. For instance, it is better to be the captain of the cross country team with few other extracurriculars than it is to be a nominal member of the cross country team, NHS, DECA, and Key Club with no leadership positions in any of them. Excellence in a single extracurricular can be very valuable, particularly if it is an impressive role that corresponds to your passions. An qualitative example of an extracurricular involvement is becoming the state or national president of DECA.
That being said, students should strive to be involved in as many extracurricular activities as they are able to meaningfully participate in (through leadership or measurable contributions) while maintaining their academic performance. The best case scenario, in other words, would be to serve as the captain of the cross country team and president of your school’s DECA while competing at a high level in debate competitions (and earning straight As).
What Our Mentors Have to Say:
“While students should strive to be as involved as possible in multiple extracurriculars, quality will always trump quantity. Colleges are looking for students who demonstrate consistent dedication, leadership, and excellence in their extracurriculars, while also balancing their school work and personal wellbeing. Adding on more clubs will not bring positive outcomes if the student’s grades start slipping as a result.”
While your activities should tell a distinguishable and coherent story about your interests and passions, this does not mean that your extracurricular repertoire should be one-note. A student who wants to become a doctor may think they should limit his activities to clinical volunteering and Science Olympiad. But there is much more to every person than their career interests, and colleges are looking for students with multi-dimensional passions and talents. A burgeoning scientist who loves classical mythology, or a future math major who sings in an acapella group will stand out to top colleges, which are seeking to add creative and engaging new members to their campus community. Though you should intentionally seek to demonstrate a depth of hands-on experience with your intended area of study, engaging in a couple of interesting activities outside of your discipline can show colleges that you are dynamic, curious, and multi-talented.
Furthermore, if you can identify and creatively pursue ways to explore the intersections of your disparate interests, admissions officers will appreciate your out-of-the-box thinking and initiative. For example, a student who enjoys both Mock Trial and Robotics Club might explore an online course or internship in patent law to explore overlaps between law and technology.
What Our Mentors Have to Say:
“Top colleges aren’t looking for well-rounded students in the sense that they don’t want you to be a jack-of-all-trades. However, they do want to see that students are dynamic, curious, and interesting! Use the Activities List strategically to show not only your core passion, but the quirky, niche interests that make you you.”
Being a member of ten clubs for one or two years is not nearly as impressive as earning leadership positions in two clubs that you have been committed to for multiple years. Long-term involvement in clubs will give you opportunities to organize events, develop specific skills, take on leadership positions, and build friendships with your peers. It will also demonstrate your persistence and dedication to the communities, causes, and projects that you’re involved with. Starting early with activities in high school is important; in some cases, when students become over-involved with new clubs and projects during their junior year and right before senior year, it is a red flag to admissions officers that a student is trying to rack up achievements and activities to appear impressive to colleges rather than pursue activities out of authentic interest.
Students should also remember that leadership is not only demonstrated in the context of their school communities, but also in the broader context of their neighborhood, town, and region. Rather than simply seeking longevity and leadership roles within existing clubs and organizations at their school, they should also demonstrate leadership by serving their communities, starting an initiative that would benefit those around them, or getting more involved in local organizations outside of school.
What Our Mentors Have to Say:
“Leadership through your extracurriculars is always an important skill to demonstrate to colleges, but students often overlook the steps it takes to become leaders—after all, you aren’t likely to become the president of a club your freshman year, so how are you setting yourself up to reach your goals later in high school? If you’re aiming for a peer-elected position like Student Council President, how are you demonstrating to others that you are a good fit for the job? Are you consistently showing up to meetings and events? Do you sit in the back, or do you try to contribute to discussions? Are you taking on a project or a smaller leadership role that could be a stepping stone to larger roles down the road? If you’re aiming for an appointed position, such as being chosen by your coach to be the captain of the tennis team, how are you positioning yourself so that you are a student who comes to mind when it’s time to pick student leadership? Are you a team player? Do you work to develop relationships with those around you and contribute to team morale? These are all important questions to consider in order to ensure that your smaller steps or interactions can lead to larger opportunities as a junior or senior.”
ADMISSION INTERVIEW Frequently Asked Questions
What do admissions officers look for in extracurriculars?
Admissions officers are looking for extracurricular activities that showcase a student’s core passions, leadership skills, and hands-on experience with their field of interest.
What extracurriculars do colleges like?
Colleges value extracurriculars that demonstrate high-level skill building (such as internships, passion projects, and independent research), leadership, and service to their community (whether through volunteer work or an independent initiative that benefits those around them.
What are the best extracurriculars for college applications?
Admissions officers are not necessarily looking for particular names or impressive organizations on your Activities List—what will catch admissions officers’ eyes depends on your specific discipline, hook, and unique applicant profile. For example, starting a community tutoring program might be just as impressive as winning a regional science competition, provided you can demonstrate initiative, leadership, and dedication. At the same time, in general, admissions officers want to see that a student has taken advantage of the opportunities offered through their school, that they have pursued leadership in the organizations in which they are involved, and that they have been consistent in their long-term commitment to the activities that matter to them.
Do colleges verify your extracurriculars?
Colleges can and sometimes do verify extracurriculars. While they may not check every detail of every activity, they often contact recommenders, review awards, or request additional documentation if something seems unclear or exaggerated. Honesty and authenticity are critical in the admissions process, and students should be careful not to exaggerate or misrepresent their involvements and accolades.
How important are extracurriculars for college admissions?
Extracurricular activities are a critical component of college applications. While academics form the foundation of your application, extracurricular activities are the most compelling way for you to demonstrate what you are truly passionate about, as well as the ways in which you have sought to deepen your learning outside of formal, academic settings. As such, students should approach their extracurricular involvements with as much strategy, intentionality, and effort as any other component of their application.
Can you get into college without extracurriculars?
While it’s possible to get into some colleges without extracurriculars, it is nearly impossible to get into Ivy League and other top colleges without any extracurriculars listed on your Activities List. Keep in mind that students often engage in extracurriculars even without intentionally strategizing to do so—if you are compiling your college applications and struggling to find activities to list, go back through your entire high school career and consider any involvements that you could include, no matter how big or small.
How many extracurriculars should I have to apply to the Ivy League?
There is no particular number of extracurricular activities you must list in order to get into the Ivy League. The Common App allows students to list ten activities, but students should avoid using “filler” activities to reach that amount. While you should show Ivy League admissions officers robust engagement with your passions outside of the classroom, keep in mind that quality is more important than quantity when it comes to extracurriculars—longevity, leadership, and service generally matter more than an arbitrary number of involvements.
