Your Complete List of Extracurricular Activities
The best colleges aren’t just looking for students with 4.0 GPAs and high test scores. After all, just about every person applying to Harvard or Yale boasts these qualifications. If you truly want to make an impression on admissions committees, you’ll also need a strong extracurricular profile.  Along with showcasing your ability to commit to a hobby or passion, extracurricular activities help convey who you are as an individual, in a way that grades can’t. Keep reading to find out why extracurriculars matter and discover which ones to pursue, based on your interests.   Extracurriculars refer to activities pursued outside of the classroom. Examples of extracurricular activities are: being a member of a sports team, serving as chief editor of your school newspaper, or playing in a regional orchestra. Working a part-time job and volunteering also count as extracurriculars.  However, students need to understand that not all hobbies count as extracurriculars. In general, it’s best not to include recreational activities like watching movies or playing video games. This is because extracurriculars should also involve some concerted effort and contribute to your personal development. So, while playing video games might not be an extracurricular, if you take your passion for video games to another level and program plugins for your game, that would count as an extracurricular.  Wondering if a hobby you enjoy qualifies as an extracurricular activity? Find more information in our post Breaking Down the Four Tiers of Extracurricular Activities.   Most schools are at least somewhat interested in the types of extracurricular activities a student pursued in high school. However, extracurriculars are especially crucial for students applying to top 250 colleges and universities. In fact, our data reveals that 30% of an admissions decision is based on a student’s extracurricular profile. That leaves 25% for essays, 20% for grades, 15% for test scores, and 10% for recommendations.  For less competitive schools, such as large public institutions, extracurriculars are generally regarded as less significant. Because most state universities receive thousands of applicants annually, less time goes into reviewing students individually. These schools are more likely to make decisions based solely on grades and test scores.   Extracurricular activities help colleges gain a deeper understanding of an applicant than can be gleaned from their coursework and test scores. By presenting a robust, diverse extracurricular profile, you show admissions officers that you’re a passionate, dedicated person who will prove a valuable addition to the college campus.  Additionally, extracurriculars can showcase your ability to succeed in your chosen major. For example, students need to show initiative if they hope to pursue a career as a doctor. You can show an adcom that you’re up for the task by volunteering at your local hospital as a candy striper or attending a summer camp for STEM.   The most desirable applicants feature 8-10 extracurricular activities on their resumes. This might sound impossible to juggle, but keep in mind most activities are seasonal. For example, if you play tennis, competition season is only in the fall, which frees you up a little more in the winter, spring, and summer.  However, it’s important to balance extracurriculars for both number and depth. In other words, you shouldn’t list dozens of activities in which you’re only a casual participant. The goal is to show true dedication and passion for the activities that you do pursue.  Students should also avoid taking on too many activities. The last thing you want is for your grades to suffer because you didn’t have enough time for homework and studying.  Wondering what types of extracurricular activities to choose? Below is a complete list of activities for students with different talents, interests, and abilities:               As self-driven projects, the below activities may seem a little off the beaten path. However, they can add breadth to your extracurricular profile while showcasing positive qualities such as initiative, drive, and leadership. The key is to focus on those activities where you can achieve something significant and quantifiable.   Want access to expert college guidance — for free? When you create your free CollegeVine account, you will find out your real admissions chances, build a best-fit school list, learn how to improve your profile, and get your questions answered by experts and peers—all for free. Sign up for your CollegeVine account today to get a boost on your college journey.
What Are Extracurricular Activities?Â
How Important Are Extracurricular Activities?Â
Why Are Extracurricular Activities Important in College Admissions?
How Many Extracurricular Activities Should You Do?Â
Complete List of Extracurricular Activities
Academic Societies and Competitions
Pre-Professional Groups
SportsÂ
STEM
Foreign Languages
Writing and Media
Arts and Drama
Music
Government, Politics, and Social Activism
Jobs
Community and Volunteer Work
Affinity Groups
Personal Projects