Coding for Kids
You’re probably starting to think about the best extracurricular activities for college, right? It’s a pretty common question for high school students. Picking the right extracurriculars can feel overwhelming. After all, those college applications seem far away…until they suddenly aren’t. But your activities can make a big difference. You want to present yourself as a well-rounded person, not just someone who’s good at academics. That’s where finding the best extracurricular activities for college comes in.
While grades, courses, and test scores are definitely important, colleges want to see more. Extracurricular activities offer a window into your passions, talents, and personality. Colleges are searching for engaged individuals. Your participation in school activities helps show your leadership skills, initiative, and commitment, which are all things that admissions departments like to see. So, how do you choose the right ones for you and your future college applications? Read on.
Table Of Contents:
- How Important Are Extracurricular Activities for College?
- What Kinds of Extracurricular Activities Should You Take?
- What are the Best Extracurricular Activities for College?
- FAQs About Best Extracurricular Activities For College
- Conclusion
How Important Are Extracurricular Activities for College?
Choosing the best extracurricular activities for college can feel a bit strategic at times, but colleges really do look at them. It’s not just about filling space on your application. Extracurriculars for college show colleges who you are beyond your grades.
According to a study by California State University, extracurricular activities in college actually have a positive correlation with attendance, GPA, standardized test scores, and overall educational ambition. It stands to reason that these findings extend to prospective college students as well. Schools assume students who participate in these kinds of activities are well-rounded, engaged, and ready to contribute to their campus life.
What Kinds of Extracurricular Activities Should You Take?
There are lots of different types of extracurriculars you can get involved in. Some, like playing a team sport or volunteering at your local food bank, might seem obvious. Others, like taking an online course in art history or childhood development, might surprise you.
There’s no “right answer,” just what’s right for you. But it does help to consider different kinds of activities, including club sports.
Academic Activities
These activities show colleges you’re dedicated to learning. Academic clubs like quiz bowl, debate, or Model United Nations are great examples.
If you have the chance to take college courses, those also fall under this category. Study abroad programs are another excellent academic extracurricular. Anything that shows you go above and beyond for your education is a winner.
Community Activities
These activities show that you care about giving back to your community. Volunteering is a classic example, and colleges are usually impressed when students commit to helping others.
If you’ve donated your time to an organization like Habitat for Humanity, your local food bank, or an animal shelter, highlight it. These activities show that you want to make a positive impact on the world.
Personality Activities
What are you really interested in? That’s where “personality” activities come in. These help you stand out as an individual and emphasize what’s special about you. Colleges like seeing well-rounded individuals, and this type of activity shines a light on interests and passions beyond your grades.
Maybe you’re captain of the soccer team or have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Perhaps you love to perform in plays or write for the school newspaper. Any activity you are genuinely passionate about will shine through on your college application.
What are the Best Extracurricular Activities for College?
So, what high school activities stand out the most? Although every situation is unique, the best extracurricular activities for college usually fall into the following seven categories. Remember, though, you should only list those activities you actually did, not ones you are “planning” to participate in. Always be truthful in your college application.
1. Leadership Positions
Colleges love leadership experience because it indicates you take initiative and responsibility. Have you held a leadership position in a club or organization? Great. Include that on your application.
If you enjoyed your role as student body president, captain of your swim team, editor of your yearbook, or section leader in orchestra, these leadership positions will showcase important skills to college admissions officers. It can also help if you have held the same position for an extended period. Show your commitment and leadership by listing those roles, how long you’ve served, and any accomplishments or initiatives you were involved in during your tenure.
2. Part-Time Jobs
Guess what? Jobs impress colleges. Working a job shows you’re responsible and understand how to navigate a professional setting. It also reveals you’re a dedicated, hardworking individual, which are desirable qualities to possess as a prospective college student.
No matter what kind of work you do, whether it’s retail, babysitting, food service, or mowing lawns, include it on your application. Part-time jobs demonstrate that you understand the importance of work ethic and can handle responsibilities outside of school, which suggests you can balance a rigorous college course load and potentially hold a campus job.
3. Athletic Participation
This might be one of the first activities that comes to mind when you’re considering college applications. Team sports like basketball or softball highlight your teamwork and dedication to a collective goal. But even solo sports like swimming or tennis demonstrate your time management, commitment, and perseverance. Many high school athletes go on to play for their college sports teams or clubs, which benefits their school and community.
You don’t have to be a star player to list sports, though. Just emphasize your commitment to the activity.
4. Academic Clubs
Being involved in academic clubs might not seem like a typical “extracurricular,” but colleges often look favorably on them. Being in a school newspaper, Mathletes, debate, or robotics club showcases your interests and enthusiasm for knowledge. Even chess club demonstrates strategy, teamwork, and a willingness to improve, all positive characteristics for a prospective college student.
Participating in academic clubs tells colleges you’re willing to pursue knowledge beyond required coursework, a sign you’re likely to fully engage with campus academics.
5. Artistic Activities
Arts and music are crucial to building a well-rounded experience, and many high school students get involved with them. Being in band or orchestra showcases musical talent, teamwork, and practice. But artistic pursuits extend beyond music to include activities like painting, drama, photography, drawing, and writing. If you were involved in the theatre department’s productions or play in a rock band, your artistic activities will give college admissions departments insight into your interests and passions.
The beauty of highlighting artistic activities is that you can show, rather than just tell. For instance, share a link to an online portfolio if you’re a visual artist. Musicians can upload performance recordings, and writers can include links to blogs or online publications they have contributed to.
6. Community Service
Want to stand out and make a positive impact? Colleges are often eager to admit students who engage with their communities, and volunteering provides numerous opportunities for growth. So if you participated in service trips, volunteered at local organizations, or donated your time to a worthy cause, this looks great on applications.
Did you organize canned food drives, visit senior living homes, clean up litter, participate in a blood drive, or spend time mentoring younger students? Highlighting this kind of commitment can set you apart. By giving your time, you can learn empathy and important interpersonal skills. It also shows that you care about more than just yourself.
7. Internships
Finding an internship as a high school student might seem a bit difficult, but it’s definitely achievable. These experiences, which involve working at an organization or company for a short period, help college admissions officers understand your skills and commitment to a particular field. This activity is a particularly impressive extracurricular for prospective college students.
Did you get hands-on experience at a newspaper, volunteer at a veterinarian’s office, or shadow a lawyer in your community? These can provide invaluable insights for you and boost your resume.
FAQs About Best Extracurricular Activities For College
What is the best extracurricular for college?
There isn’t one “best” activity because each person is unique. Your best activities demonstrate your true passions. Did you really excel at something, work hard, and maybe take a leadership position? Choose those because the depth of your commitment to the activities speaks louder than just having a long list.
If you loved your time on the soccer team and took on the role of team captain for your senior year, that demonstrates responsibility and initiative. Similarly, if your passion for animals led you to create a dog-walking service and donate some of your profits to your local animal shelter, you’re illustrating compassion and entrepreneurship. Choose activities you genuinely enjoy, because that authentic passion is more likely to make you stand out to college admissions departments.
What are Tier 1 Extracurriculars?
This term gets thrown around quite a bit, but “Tier 1” essentially means “really impressive.” CollegeVine categorizes extracurriculars by tier, based on uniqueness and how much dedication and talent each activity requires. These are usually exceptional activities.
You might, for example, win a national contest or create a non-profit organization that attracts media attention and national acclaim. Essentially, Tier 1 means that you are among the best in your field and/or that the endeavor has made an impressive impact. However, you can still stand out with activities in Tier 2, Tier 3, or Tier 4 because, most importantly, the best activities for you showcase your commitment to learning, hard work, and willingness to contribute.
What sport looks best on a college application?
Every sport requires dedication, skill, and often teamwork. The best sport to include is one you’re good at and are genuinely passionate about. There’s no “right answer” for every student. Admissions departments consider all sports favorably.
Did you have a leadership position, like captain, on your track and field team? Or did your involvement with the tennis team lead to winning regional competitions? Choose those and remember to share your dedication and any noteworthy achievements.
Is 7 extracurriculars enough?
You’ve probably heard someone say “it’s all about quality over quantity.” This is especially true with college applications. Colleges want to see meaningful engagement. Instead of listing everything you did in high school, focus on a few. Choose ones that represent you as a unique and dedicated individual, ready to commit to academic life. Remember, there’s no magic number.
Conclusion
While the process of applying to colleges might feel pretty confusing and a little scary, focusing on finding the best extracurricular activities for college can help make the process a bit easier. Participating in these activities allows you to discover passions, engage with your community, make lasting friendships, learn important skills, and develop your personality.
Don’t get caught up in numbers. Instead, look for quality activities that represent who you are, what you are truly passionate about, and where you excel. By picking the best extracurricular activities for college and committing to them, you will impress admissions officers while also experiencing a fulfilling and memorable high school journey.
