The Top 5 Extracurricular Activities For Your College Application
Balancing Classes and College Applications Can Be Tricky...
The Importance of Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities play a crucial role during your high school years, especially when applying to colleges. They help you stand out and demonstrate your skills to admissions officers. Examples of extracurricular activities include sports, student council, theater, and band.
While extracurriculars might seem less significant on the surface, they are a vital component of your application. They showcase your strengths, leadership skills, and passions. It's important to choose activities you genuinely enjoy while also considering what colleges seek in applicants.
What You'll Find in This Article:
- Choosing Extracurricular Activities Wisely
- Using the Common App Activities Section
- Top 5 Extracurricular Activities for Impressing Colleges
- The Importance of Extracurricular Activities
Choosing Extracurricular Activities Wisely
When listing extracurricular activities on your college application, you're telling a story about yourself. While your personal essay reveals much about who you are, your activities show what you care about in daily life. If you're using the Common App, you have ten spaces for activities, but it's often better not to fill all ten slots. Instead, focus on activities that reflect your passions and connect with your essay.
For instance, if your essay centers on your dream of becoming a leader, your activities should align with this theme. Admissions officers look for traits such as commitment, passion, leadership, and personal growth. This means you don't need to be a leader in every club but should show meaningful involvement.
Using the Common App's Activities Section
The Common App's "activities" section is where you list your extracurriculars. Choose the appropriate category from the drop-down menu for each activity. This section allows you to highlight up to ten activities, but prioritize quality over quantity. List activities in which you were consistently involved and held significant roles.
In this section, you'll also briefly explain your leadership roles. Be concise and clear, emphasizing information that showcases your best qualities.
Top 5 Extracurricular Activities for Impressing Colleges
Organize your activities into five categories that colleges value:
- Academic: Join clubs related to your favorite subjects, such as Math Club, Robotics Club, or National Honor Society.
- Leadership: Engage in activities that develop leadership skills, like Student Council, National Beta Club, or peer leadership groups.
- Service: Participate in community service activities, demonstrating compassion and a desire to give back, such as Habitat for Humanity or Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
- Career: Explore career-related activities to gain insight into your future profession, such as internships, the school newspaper, or Junior ROTC.
- Passion: Get involved in causes you care about, like environmental clubs, animal rights groups, or cancer awareness charities.
Why Are Extracurricular Activities Important?
Extracurricular activities highlight who you are and what you’re passionate about. They add depth to your college application, showing your interests beyond academics. When selecting activities, think about what you enjoy and what aligns with your future goals.
If you're unsure which activities to choose, consider consulting with a college counselor. They can help you identify the best extracurriculars to enhance your application and tell a compelling story about who you are.
Above All, Tell Them a Story About Who You Are!
Extracurricular activities are an opportunity to show colleges your unique qualities. Be specific, concise, and focus on what makes you stand out. Let your activities reflect your true interests and passions, creating a narrative that complements your application and personal essay.
For assistance with other aspects of your application, including your college essays, check out Admit AI, which provides automatic feedback to help write essays that will get you accepted.