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Extracurriculars
How do I develop my extracurriculars for my college application in 1 year?
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7 answers
Updated
Alexandra’s Answer
Think about what things you like to learn and also what you are good at and enjoy. The extracurriculars should be activities you enjoy, not just something to put on a college resume. Try to pick an activity that:
- makes you learn things and get better
- helps differentiate you from others ; in other words, what about your contribution to this activity or club makes you stand out
- requires time to commit, not just a one time event - this will help you grow and learn
- look for opportunities to obtain a diploma, certificate, or award from the activity so that this can be shared on your resume
I would also recommend to keep track of the hours you spent in an activity so that you can look back and track your commitment and progress.
Good luck!
- makes you learn things and get better
- helps differentiate you from others ; in other words, what about your contribution to this activity or club makes you stand out
- requires time to commit, not just a one time event - this will help you grow and learn
- look for opportunities to obtain a diploma, certificate, or award from the activity so that this can be shared on your resume
I would also recommend to keep track of the hours you spent in an activity so that you can look back and track your commitment and progress.
Good luck!
Updated
Diane’s Answer
Hi, if you are not into athletics there are so many other extra curricular activities you can join or look into volunteering. Yearbook club, school newspaper, student government/council, drama/debate club, DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America - many school districts offer chapters within their high schools) or tutoring. As far as volunteer opportunities look at your local Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts of America, YMCA, Special Olympics, 4-H groups, local hospitals (usually have to be 18 yrs), food banks or animal shelters. Best of luck!
Updated
Sheila’s Answer
Hi Maryam:
Joining clubs and volunteering is a way to help you get off the ground with extracurricular activities. When my young adults were in high school they traveled abroad on church mission trips, school trips (French club), and as a People to People Student Ambassador Delegate. They also served as Sunday School Teachers at our local church and a Math Tutor. Best of luck to you!
~ Sheila
People to People Student Ambassador • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_to_People_Student_Ambassador_Program#
Joining clubs and volunteering is a way to help you get off the ground with extracurricular activities. When my young adults were in high school they traveled abroad on church mission trips, school trips (French club), and as a People to People Student Ambassador Delegate. They also served as Sunday School Teachers at our local church and a Math Tutor. Best of luck to you!
~ Sheila
Sheila recommends the following next steps:
Updated
David’s Answer
There are many things you can do to add to your extracurricular activities both inside and outside of school.
In school, join clubs and take on officer roles. There are also student body, sports teams, etc.
Outside of school, take musical lessons, language schools, join a non-profit organization, or volunteer.
For example, when I was in high school, I joined almost every club I could, I was the president of K club, and class treasurer. Outside of school, I volunteered at the local library and went to Chinese school.
Hope this helps.
In school, join clubs and take on officer roles. There are also student body, sports teams, etc.
Outside of school, take musical lessons, language schools, join a non-profit organization, or volunteer.
For example, when I was in high school, I joined almost every club I could, I was the president of K club, and class treasurer. Outside of school, I volunteered at the local library and went to Chinese school.
Hope this helps.
This was super helpful, thank you!
Mia
Updated
Maria’s Answer
Even entrepreneurship is a valued trait and can make a great case for your leadership, innovation, creativity. For colleges that require personal statements and/or essay questions, focus on writing about your contributions like Alexandra wrote about. It is great to volunteer and be a member of all these clubs, but what about it and what else? I've read a lot of leadership scholarships for Tier 1 school (competitive admissions), and all the candidates were very similar yet with a specific outlook on a problem: exceptional students yet they served in their communities/schools, found a need and planned on doing something about it rather than being told what to do.
Updated
Karina’s Answer
Volunteering at local shelters, hospitals, and food banks could be a great extracurricular activity. It is extremely flexible because you can choose what days and how many hours you want to work a week. I volunteered picking up trash for an hour every Fridays after school for two years. It looks great on your resume too!
Good luck
Karina
Good luck
Karina
Updated
Heather’s Answer
If you are not taking extra curricular classes in school, the other options are joining Clubs and also volunteering. Doing as many hours as you can will be a plus.