Did you know that most college applications include a section devoted to your child鈥檚 extracurricular activities? There鈥檚 so much focus on academics (GPA, taking challenging courses), test scores (SAT, ACT), and the college essays, you may not realize the sway that extracurricular activities can have on your child鈥檚 admission prospects.
The importance of extracurricular activities in college applications
When your child applies to college, the admissions officer will take their extracurricular activities into account. In fact, they can hold considerable weight. Why? Extracurriculars amplify and extend your teen鈥檚 appeal beyond academic achievements because they are voluntary — they reflect what your child is interested in beyond academics. These activities give admissions teams a deeper sense of a student鈥檚 holistic development, showcasing their passions, dedication, and the ability to manage responsibilities outside the classroom.
Colleges value applicants who exhibit a sense of purpose and the ability to handle extra responsibilities. They want to understand how an applicant may contribute to campus life.
Therefore, a well-curated list of extracurricular activities can significantly enhance your child鈥檚 college application, making it more compelling and providing a comprehensive portrait beyond your child鈥檚 academic transcripts and standardized test scores.
The process of pursuing and documenting a roster of extracurricular activities for college applications can be overwhelming. A showed that one in five high school students feel some kind of pressure to be involved in extracurriculars and/or sports. This stress adds to the pressure teens already feel to get good grades, look good, and fit in socially.
The more guidance and support parents can give high schoolers with this daunting process, the better. But you may find the process daunting, too. When you start asking which extracurricular activities are most impressive on college applications, and how to showcase them, you may get a lot of conflicting advice. You may also be taking the wrong approach. Read on to see what the experts say about how to best approach this key part of the college application process.
What colleges look for in extracurricular activities
Colleges scrutinize applicants’ extracurricular activities for indicators of qualities and skills that extend beyond academic achievements. And while it may seem like this high level of scrutiny is just to make sure they choose the 鈥渂est鈥� students, it really goes beyond that.
Phil Ollenburg, a leader in higher education admissions, explains it like this: 鈥淎dmissions offices are tasked with the complex job of shaping an incoming class that embodies their institution’s vision, mission, and values. This process involves seeking students who will not only thrive academically but also contribute positively to the campus community, complete their studies on time, and ultimately reflect well on the institution.鈥�
Antonio Cruz, a college counselor with , adds to this idea of creating a college community: 鈥淓xtracurriculars matter because who you are and what you’ll do at college extends outside of the classroom. You are joining a community, and colleges want to see what kind of person you are, and how you will contribute. Your extracurriculars show how you choose to spend your limited time, and where your priorities lie.鈥� Basically, colleges are looking to create a community of students who contribute to the mission of the institution. While academics may provide a baseline for admission, extracurriculars can be what really sets your teen apart as a 鈥渕atch鈥� for that school.
So what is the most impressive extracurricular activity for college applications? Well, there is no 鈥減erfect鈥� extracurricular activity for your teen; neither being the captain of the school diving team nor starting a gardening club to give back to the local community guarantees admission to any institution. However, most experts agree on one thing: Colleges look for depth rather than breadth, preferring applicants who have devoted substantial time and energy to a few meaningful pursuits over those who list a wide array of activities but participated more superficially.
This idea of depth also applies when looking at how a teen鈥檚 activities of choice align with their goals. , says that colleges are looking for students who choose activities that fit with and extend their primary passions or interests. 鈥淔or example, if a student says 鈥業’m interested in medicine ‘and then their resume shows nothing to back that up, the college will not believe that expressed interest. In contrast, if a student says 鈥業’m interested in medicine鈥� and shows that they started a Red Cross club, they’re CPR certified, they work as a lifeguard, they take online advanced biology classes, they volunteer in the hospital, etc. … then the college will consider that student a much more compelling applicant.鈥�
Choosing the right extracurricular activities for college success
When choosing an extracurricular activity to participate in, how your child engages in the activity is much more important than what they choose. Cruz points out that 鈥渁ny extracurricular can be impressive; it depends what you do with it. The longer and deeper your involvement with a particular extracurricular, the more impressive it will be.鈥� Colleges want to see how high schoolers overcome challenges, display creativity, contribute positively to their community, stick with a pursuit, and overcome obstacles. Research shows that students . Ultimately, the impact of extracurricular activities on a college application lies in their ability to reveal your teen鈥檚 character, values, and potential contributions to their future campus community.
6 ways teens can demonstrate a strong commitment to their activities and goals
Leadership roles
Holding leadership positions on teams or within clubs, student government, or organizations demonstrates your child鈥檚 ability to take initiative, lead a team, collaborate with others, and contribute to the mission or growth of a group.
Community service and volunteering
Engaging in community service projects highlights commitment to social responsibility and civic engagement. It showcases a sense of empathy, teamwork, willingness to help, and drive to have a positive impact beyond personal wants and needs.
Internships or work experience
Internships or work experience in a field of interest provide practical skills and insights, demonstrating that your child has taken a proactive approach to learning outside of school to further their academic and career goals.
Cultural or artistic pursuits
Involvement in cultural clubs, art exhibitions, or performances demonstrates creativity, cultural awareness, and a dedication to honing skills outside of the academic realm.
Science and research projects
Participating in science fairs, research competitions, or collaborative projects demonstrates your teen鈥檚 interest and proficiency in STEM fields, showcasing problem-solving skills and intellectual curiosity.
Student publications or media production
Contributing meaningfully to a school newspaper, magazine, or engaging in media production highlights communication skills, creativity, and the ability to convey information effectively. It also demonstrates an interest in journalism or media-related fields.
How to highlight extracurricular achievements in college applications
So your student has been deeply involved in one or more extracurricular activities for years. Now what? While their active participation will surely benefit them academically and holistically, what counts in the college admissions process is how they illustrate these achievements in their application. Following these steps will help.
Get to know the school
Resist the urge to take a 鈥渙ne-size-fits-all鈥� or 鈥渃opy and paste鈥� approach for different schools’ applications. Remember, each school is looking to match student passions, interests, and personalities to their community and mission. While your child may be a great match for multiple types of schools, it’s their job to show the admissions team that through their application. Encourage your child to do their research and get to know the school鈥檚 values, goals, and ideal traits of the student body.
Familiarize yourselves with the college application
If your child is applying to many different schools, chances are they will be using a few different types of applications. While many schools accept the or , some schools have individual applications. Each application has different spaces and methods for students to showcase extracurricular involvement.
Craft a well-structured resume or activity list
Students should display extracurricular activities in a well-organized and easy-to-read format. They should include details such as the name of the activity, their role, duration of involvement, and any specific achievements or responsibilities. A clear and concise resume or activity list helps admissions officers quickly understand the breadth and depth of an applicant鈥檚 engagement.
Highlight achievements and impact
Whether it’s leading a community service project, winning an award, or initiating positive changes within a club, showcasing specific achievements underscores your child鈥檚 ability to make a meaningful contribution.
When listing and describing extracurriculars on a college applications, college admissions professional Phil Ollenburg says, 鈥渂revity and specificity are key. Admissions officers sift through countless applications, and a concise, well-articulated presentation of activities can make a lasting impression. Long, rambling accounts of extracurricular involvements are less effective and may cause the reader to lose interest.鈥�
Encourage your child to describe specific things they did in the extracurricular activity that are beyond the ordinary, rather than obvious skills gained. For example, if your child is involved in a program tutoring middle schoolers, 鈥淗elped sixth graders with reading and math鈥� is not as meaningful as 鈥淗elped sixth graders improve math test scores by creating a mathematical fluency program.鈥� Help your child think about how they were uniquely involved and use language that showcases that involvement.
Write compelling essays
Essays provide an opportunity for high schoolers to convey the passion and significance of their involvement in a way that goes beyond the confines of a resume. Your child can use their personal statement and supplemental essays to discuss what they are passionate about and why, share anecdotes about their involvement in relevant extracurriculars, describe any challenges they overcame, and illustrate the lessons they learned.
Quantify and qualify contributions
Whenever possible, your child should provide quantitative and qualitative data to illustrate the scope of their impact. For example, mention the number of hours dedicated to a community service project, the percentage increase in club membership under their leadership, or any specific improvements they initiated.
Request strong letters of recommendation
Support your child as they seek letters of recommendation from teachers, mentors, advisors, or supervisors who can attest to the impact of their extracurricular involvement. A well-written recommendation that highlights their contributions, passion, and character adds credibility to their application.
Create a portfolio or supplemental materials
If applicable, your child may consider submitting a portfolio or supplemental materials that showcase their passion, work, or achievements in a visual or tangible form. This could include samples of writing, artwork, photos from events, or any other relevant artifacts that provide a more comprehensive view of their extracurricular engagement.
The role of part-time jobs in college applications
Not only can a job be considered an extracurricular activity on a college application, it holds significant value. Part-time work showcases a student’s ability to balance academic responsibilities with real-world commitments. It demonstrates a strong work ethic, and the ability to take direction and initiative outside of academic settings. Beyond providing financial support, a job allows students to develop crucial life skills such as time management, responsibility, teamwork, and customer service.
Admissions officers often appreciate the diverse perspectives and maturity that students gain from part-time employment, recognizing the valuable lessons learned in a workplace setting. Including a part-time job on a college application can enhance the overall profile, offering a glimpse into your teen鈥檚 character, resilience, and capacity to juggle multiple responsibilities.
Balancing work with other activities on a college application requires strategic planning and effective time management. Help your teen prioritize their commitments and identify key responsibilities for both work and extracurricular activities. Support them in creating a realistic schedule that allocates dedicated time for each aspect of their life so that work and extracurriculars don鈥檛 compromise their academic performance. Make sure your teen communicates openly with supervisors, team members, and advisors to manage expectations and seek support when needed.
Your teenager needs to showcase their ability to balance diverse responsibilities, emphasizing skills they gained from both work and extracurricular activities. Have your high schooler highlight specific instances where they successfully managed time, overcame challenges, or demonstrated leadership in various aspects of their life. By demonstrating a thoughtful approach to managing multiple commitments, your teen may convey their ability to handle responsibility and present a more holistic picture of their character and achievements.
Extracurricular activities for college applications: a practical guide for parents
Here are some more tips and advice for parents on how to guide and support your child’s extracurricular journey.
Identify passions and strengths
Some teenagers have trouble identifying what they are even interested in. And that is understandable: don鈥檛 you have a hard time answering when someone asks you, 鈥淲hat are you passionate about?鈥�
To start, have your child make a list of 10 things they are interested in and 10 activities or hobbies they currently have. Are their interests and involvements aligned? You may even want to help your child take a personality test to get to know themselves a little better as this can be a powerful tool for self-discovery.
Choose target schools carefully
While college admissions departments get the final say about who will attend, you also want to make sure your child is applying to schools that meet their needs and promise to provide a positive experience. A 鈥渂ig name鈥� school may be respected and impressive, but the atmosphere, expectations, and type of students who attend might be uncomfortable or even discouraging for your child. On the other hand, a large state school may offer advantages in terms of affordability and location but can make some kids feel lost and anonymous. (Read more about The myth of the Ivy league and How to make a college list and College planning for students with learning issues.)
Free resources like CollegeData鈥檚 can help high schoolers make informed decisions about which schools might satisfy their criteria. When deciding how to showcase extracurriculars, keep in mind the school鈥檚 stated values. Get involved with your child鈥檚 list of colleges. What schools do they want to apply to? Why? How do their interests align with the mission of that school? How about the majors that school offers? Identifying options for where your child wants to go can help them draw a line between their own passions and the values of the institution.
Start early
Colleges are looking for applicants who are passionately involved in their particular extracurriculars (as opposed to applicants who are half-heartedly involved in many pursuits). It鈥檚 much easier to achieve this depth of involvement if a student starts the activity freshman or sophomore year. If your child is a junior or senior, help them carefully choose an extracurricular activity that they have genuine interest in, that aligns with values or experiences they already have, and that are related to the major they say they want to pursue. Look at past activities they may have started and either fizzled out of or quit — is there anything there they鈥檇 like to give a second chance?
Help your child find balance
Balancing extracurricular activities with academics is essential for a well-rounded college application. Admissions officers look for candidates who not only excel in the classroom but also showcase a diverse skill set, leadership potential, and a commitment to their passions. Striking the right balance involves effective time management, prioritization, and a thoughtful selection of activities that align with one’s interests and goals.
Overloading on extracurriculars may hinder academic performance, while a sole focus on academics might present a one-dimensional image to colleges. A harmonious blend of both academic excellence and meaningful extracurricular involvement signals a student’s ability to manage responsibilities, adapt to challenges, and contribute actively to their school or community, ultimately enhancing their appeal to college admissions committees.
Seek help
There are a plethora of free and paid resources both online and in schools and the community that can help you and your child with the college application process. Don鈥檛 be afraid to seek out help early!
Although there are many useful tips, tricks, and strategies for participating in extracurricular activities and showcasing them on college applications, it鈥檚 important to keep one thing in mind: the ultimate goal is for your student to find, and be accepted to, a school that is a great fit for them and for their goals. Make this the goal and the steps along the way will feel more attainable, the entire process will feel less intimidating, and the end result will be more satisfying.
