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How Your Extracurriculars Impact Your College Applications

Making the most of your extracurricular activities in high school


Nearly all families come to their first RingTrue college counseling meeting with this mindset: “Extracurricular activities are extracurricular activities . . . you just need to participate in a lot of them, right?”


Although this may have been true in decades past, it’s not true today. Going deeper in just a few areas of interest can help you with admissions and scholarships much more than taking the smorgasbord approach when it comes to extracurriculars.


While your GPA, strength of curriculum and test scores are still the most important factors in college admissions, being strategic with your extracurriculars can give you a major boost, especially with more competitive schools. A strong approach to extracurriculars shows colleges what passions you’re likely to pursue in college, and what impact you may have on campus outside of academics.



What To Keep In Mind When Choosing Extracurriculars


Pick things you’re actually interested in.

Don’t join a club just for the sake of it – choose something that you’re passionate about and will stick with for the long run. For example, if you're interested in science, joining the robotics team or the sustainability committee can be great ways to demonstrate your passion and skills. Or, if your passion is business, you could demonstrate your interest by finding an internship, or starting your own small business or non-profit.


Quality over quantity.

As mentioned earlier, it’s better to be deeply involved in just a few activities than to have your fingers in many different pies but not be particularly dedicated to any of them. Colleges want to see that you’re committed to something and that you’ve made an impact. For instance, if you get involved in theater, be sure to go out for a lead or head up a backstage crew by the time you’re a junior in high school. In addition, you could find a way to get involved in a local theater company, volunteer at a children’s theater camp in the summer, and participate in the National History Day performance competition. It’s all this experience in one area combined that will make you stand out compared to other students with college admissions committees.


Be sure to demonstrate leadership.

Admissions officers look specifically for leadership skills when reviewing applications. It’s not enough to simply be involved in an activity like journalism or team sports. You must also take positive risks to step up and stand out by the end of junior year, such as becoming the editor of the yearbook, writing a column for the school newspaper, serving as team captain, or volunteering as an assistant coach. Again, lead in an area where you’re already involved and that you have great passion for; an area that will help you gain the extra experience that colleges will be expecting to see on your application.


Don’t limit yourself to in-school extracurricular activities.

Admissions officers like to see students demonstrate initiative outside of school-related activities. Plus, going that extra mile with your extracurriculars is a great way to get involved in your community, pursue your interests, and develop your skills. Some ideas for activities you can participate in outside of school include: volunteering, interning, working at a part-time job, taking part in community service projects, joining clubs and organizations, participating in political campaigns, and performing live. Get creative and think outside the box, and don’t forget to pick activities that tie into one of your areas of deeper interest.


Start something new.

What if your school or community doesn’t offer any extracurricular activities that interest you? Good news! One thing that is sure to catch the attention of a college admissions counselor is a student who is self-directed and disciplined enough to do something that isn’t easily available to them yet. Whether it’s starting a new club or organization . . . building your own business . . . teaching yourself how to code . . . or offering to implement a new process at school, at work or in your community . . . taking positive risks to do something on your own is something that will pay off in college admissions and beyond. Even if you fail, making the extra effort speaks well of both your courage and character.


Get More Ideas About Exploring Extracurriculars


If you’re needing more guidance around choosing the best high school extracurriculars for you, a RingTrue College Coach can help. We regularly help students pick extracurriculars that fit their natural talents and strengths, then show them how to use those activities to gain an advantage in college admissions and scholarships. Learn more by booking a free 15-minute consultation today!

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