With a busy after school schedule what are some things that stand out in college applications that are not school affiliated?

Hi Lissy! It's awesome that you've been so committed to drama club. Instead of trying to add things to your resume, you might want to write in your application essay about what you've learned from your experiences working on drama productions. How has it helped you learn about commitment and time management? Has it helped you figure out what you want to do in college and in the future? How did you balance schoolwork and after-school activities? Was there one production you especially cared about?

You might also try looking for a short-tern internship during the month of June. Is there a small local production company or theatre you could contact about an internship? Even if they don't have one listed, they might be open to some volunteer help.

I hope this helps! Good luck!

Keep everything in mind as you are applying and in your applications.

Look for where you have learned new things, conquers obstacles, topic related activities and where you have shown some leadership.

These things should all present you in a positive light. Go for it! You are on the right path to getting a balanced experience!

As Geraldine and Courtney said, it is quality over quantity. Colleges will be more impressed with passion, dedication, and how you've grown from your experiences. It isn't so much the fact that you have activities, nor is it how many, or what kind. Instead, they look at your activities in order to get a sense for who you are, and what your personality is like, beyond your test scores and GPA. Schools want to select students who have not only the scores, but also the personality and character that will make them a good fit for that school's environment, and most likely to succeed in their programs. Some schools are even looking for specific qualities that they value, such as leadership, curiosity, empathy, and resourcefulness.

So, rather than adding more activities, I suggest you focus on some other things you can do to boost your chances at the school of your choice. These articles offer some great ideas:

1. Five things you can do: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2014/09/22/5-things-college-applicants-can-do-to-stand-out-in-a-good-way
2. What colleges are looking for: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/applying-101/character-counts-what-are-colleges-looking-for#
3. This article is LONG, but offers some great insights. Worth the read! https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/01/education/edlife/what-college-admissions-wants.html

Hope that helps. Good luck!