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What are strong extracurriculars that most colleges would like to see?
i don't have many extracurriculars besides sports so I was wondering how I could strengthen my extracurriculars.
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Gus’s Answer
Anything with an opportunity for leadership / development is a great place to start. Colleges are looking for those skills (organization, ability to coach / lead others, "leaning in" to perform above expectations, etc.) in a lot of their applicants and these skills are common among leaders of extra-curriculars.
Another way to get involved is to also look into community development and / or non-profit. This demonstrates the value of giving-back, which colleges are almost always aligned with. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to help those that need it most in your community. Good luck!
Another way to get involved is to also look into community development and / or non-profit. This demonstrates the value of giving-back, which colleges are almost always aligned with. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to help those that need it most in your community. Good luck!
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A’s Answer
That's a great realization—and it’s also an opportunity. If sports are your main extracurricular, lean into that strength. Don’t just “do sports”—excel in them, lead in them, and use them to show discipline, teamwork, and passion. Can you take on a leadership role like team captain, mentor younger players, or organize a community sports event? That adds real weight to your resume.
At the same time, think about what genuinely interests you beyond sports. Is it tech? Design? Helping people? Creating things? Find one new activity—a club, personal project, volunteer role, or certification—that aligns with your interests and shows you’re more than a student athlete. You don’t need a laundry list of clubs to stand out. You just need a few things done with passion and purpose.
Remember: it’s not about copying what others are doing—it’s about doing what you love at a higher level. That’s how you outshine the crowd. Let sports fuel your confidence, and let curiosity guide your next step.
At the same time, think about what genuinely interests you beyond sports. Is it tech? Design? Helping people? Creating things? Find one new activity—a club, personal project, volunteer role, or certification—that aligns with your interests and shows you’re more than a student athlete. You don’t need a laundry list of clubs to stand out. You just need a few things done with passion and purpose.
Remember: it’s not about copying what others are doing—it’s about doing what you love at a higher level. That’s how you outshine the crowd. Let sports fuel your confidence, and let curiosity guide your next step.
Updated
Bianca’s Answer
Getting involved in extracurricular activities or volunteer work related to your future college major is a fantastic way to build skills and gain experience for your future! If you're aiming for vet school, think about volunteering at local animal shelters. If law school is your goal, joining your school's debate or mock trial team could be perfect.
Remember, quality is more important than quantity! Focusing on a few activities that you truly love and can commit to, where you might even take on a leadership role, can really help you shine. You've got this!
Remember, quality is more important than quantity! Focusing on a few activities that you truly love and can commit to, where you might even take on a leadership role, can really help you shine. You've got this!
Updated
Suzanna’s Answer
One thing that colleges look for in your extracurriculars is demonstrated interest in your chosen major. Consider what major you will be applying as and build a few extracurriculars around that via a school club, personal project, online class, blog, etc. Remember: anything that you do outside of classes, excluding obvious non-extracurriculars like sleeping, eating, and showering, with a little intention and purpose is an activity. Colleges want to know--Who are you outside of class? What kind of student would you be at our instution? What impact can you bring? And your extracurriculars help answer those questions. As mentioned by others, the quality of your activities matters; it's better to commit to a few activities for 5 hours/week than to do a dozen activities for 1 hr/week. Ultimately, your activity list tells a story about who you are. So take a look at your extracurriculars and consider what you want to communicate to colleges.
There's no objectively "best" extracurricular. The best one is the one you are most passionate about and spend the most time developing. That being said, common extracurriculars for top applicants include clubs like Mock Trial, Model UN, Debate Club, student council, and school newspaper, as these are commonly found in most schools and require participants to have both excellent academic and social skills.
There's no objectively "best" extracurricular. The best one is the one you are most passionate about and spend the most time developing. That being said, common extracurriculars for top applicants include clubs like Mock Trial, Model UN, Debate Club, student council, and school newspaper, as these are commonly found in most schools and require participants to have both excellent academic and social skills.