Crafting a compelling college application can be tricky. Students often ask themselves “How do I write about extracurriculars on my college application”. Your extracurricular activities play a pivotal role in showcasing your interests, accomplishments, and character beyond academics. Hence, as part of the steps to create the best college application, here is the ultimate guide to ensure that your extracurriculars shine brightly on your college application:
You may find a guide for writing a whole college application helpful, check out How to Write a Winning College Admissions Essay
Which Extracurriculars Do I Add to My College Application You might ask questions such as “Can I list photography as an extracurricular?” Consider what experiences you can leverage to express your dedication. What competition or events have you participated in that can demonstrate your capabilities outside of school?
Below are examples of extracurricular activities that are sure to stand out on your college application.
Sports and Fitness:
Position
Description
Team Captain
Served as the basketball team captain for two seasons. Led pre-game strategy sessions and motivated teammates to give their best performance on the field.
Sports Coordinator – Football Team
Organized practice sessions and coordinated inter-school practice matches.
Player – Setter for The National Volleyball Team
Achieved key victories throughout the season and won player of the match during national semi-finals.
Marathon Running
Participated in a 10km marathon run, raising awareness for a social cause.
Student Council:
Position
Description
President
Led initiatives to enhance student life, fostered collaboration among council members, and served as the primary liaison between students and school administration.
Secretary
Communicated important information to the student council. Ensured the smooth operation of council activities, effectively organizing meetings and proposals.
Vice President
Supported the student council in executing initiatives, facilitated communication between council members, and assumed leadership responsibilities in their absence. Contributed to planning and implementing wellbeing events aimed at improving student engagement and school spirit.
Events Coordinator
Organized event proposals, promoting a wide range of events throughout the school year.
Arts:
Position
Description
Illustrator
Exhibited my artwork, displaying paintings across various events, including the school anniversary event.
Photographer
Won photography contests, with my photos being shown in popular magazines.
Creative Writing
Won the intra-school story writing competition and had my story published in our school newspaper.
Theatre Production
Managed the backstage production of our Theatre Club's annual performance, managing 12 actors performing to over 200 audience members.
Academics:
Position
Description
Peer Tutor
Offered extra classes and peer tutoring sessions for mathematics in collaboration with the school’s official peer tutoring program.
Science & Engineering Fair
Spent 6 months designing, researching, and creating an energy prototype. Achieved finalist placing at the school science fair.
Community Service:
Position
Description
Environmental Activist
Organized a beach cleanup event with over 50 people volunteering at the event.
Fundraising Volunteer
Managed the wellbeing organization's fundraising campaign, raising over $700 worth of donations for people in need. Responsible for recording and supervising finances.
Student Clubs:
Position
Description
Debate Team Captain
Organized debates on relevant modern topics, planning multiple school events throughout the year. Represented the school in international debating competitions.
Chess Club Member
Organized weekly chess lessons for the club. Won inter-school chess tournaments as a result of our team's strategic preparation.
Internships & Entrepreneurial Endeavours:
Position
Description
Management Intern at a Real Estate Firm
Learned about the real estate industry through hands-on experience in an internship. Delved into business areas, namely Sales and HR.
Personal Accessories Brand Owner
Established and managed an online accessories business, overseeing product design, marketing strategies, and customer relations.
Making Your Extracurriculars Stand Out on Your College Application You might wonder which extracurriculars are the best for a college application. When considering which extracurricular activities to pursue, many students initially lean towards those that align with their perceived career prospects. While this strategic approach can indeed be beneficial, it's important to recognise that seemingly disjointed extracurriculars can also hold significance on a college application. In fact, passionate choices have the potential to stand out, particularly when accompanied by notable awards or achievements. Therefore, while it's wise to consider your future career goals, don't overlook the potential of diverse interests and experiences to enrich your application.
Less is Best - Streamlining Your High School Extracurriculars for College Application A common misconception is that that you need a large list of extracurriculars to impress IVY league colleges. However, it's the depth of your involvement that truly matters. Instead of creating a cluttered list, focus on a handful of extracurriculars. Highlight the areas where you've made a significant impact or demonstrated exceptional dedication.
When presenting your extracurricular activities, remember that sometimes less is best. Instead of merely listing all your "Club Member" roles, consider expanding upon your involvement in a couple of activities. Mention the details that create an impact and showcase your dedication towards honing a skill. These specifics are most likely to impress admissions committees over dense list of extracurricular activities.
Highlight Community Impact: A Key College Admission Strategy Highlight any volunteer work or community service initiatives you have been involved in and emphasise their social benefits. Whether you've done community service, volunteered at a local shelter, or spearheaded a sustainability initiative, showcasing your commitment to making a positive impact can greatly enhance your application.
For example, if you organised a neighbourhood cleanup initiative, quantify the results. How many bags of trash did the community collect, or how many community members participated? Specifics like these demonstrate the tangible effects of your actions and boost your profile to admissions committees.
Showcase Your Active Leadership and Responsibilities It is essential to mention roles or acts that showcase your capability as an effective leader. This effectively demonstrates your ability to take initiative and drive change. Your leadership skills can be shown through activities such as serving as a club president, captain of a sports team, or editor of a school publication. Leadership positions not only showcase your ability to lead and inspire others but also highlight your initiative, organisational skills, and capacity for responsibility.
Craft Persuasive Descriptions with The Help of Action Verbs When describing your extracurricular activities on your college application, use action verbs to convey your accomplishments and responsibilities effectively. Using dynamic language is essential to paint a vivid picture of your contributions and achievements. Connect your extracurricular experiences to your personal narrative, passions, and academic interests, demonstrating how they have shaped your character and aspirations.
Instead of merely stating that you “participated” or “attended” your extracurriculars, use action verbs like “Initiated”, “Organised”, “Collaborated” or “Planned”. Through adequate descriptions, you can make a compelling case for why you're an ideal candidate for admission.
What Have You Learnt From Your Extracurriculars? State Your Skills and Strengths! Take the opportunity to reflect on the skills and strengths you've acquired through your extracurriculars. You might be able to reflect on how competitions taught you teamwork and time management skills. Or how more artistic pursuits fostered discipline and creativity.
By showcasing the valuable skills and qualities you possess, you can demonstrate your readiness for the academic and social challenges of college life.
Final Thoughts In a nutshell,
Focus on quality over quantity. Highlight your impact and leadership experiences. Use persuasive language to describe your achievements. Articulate the skills and strengths you've gained along the way. While ACT and SAT scores undoubtedly hold significance, Admissions officers seek well-rounded individuals who exhibit interests and passions extending beyond academic. Your extracurricular activities serve as a window into your interests, accomplishments, and character beyond your formal education. This gives admissions committees valuable insight into your potential as a college student and future leader. By strategically highlighting your extracurricular activities, you can impress and improve your chances of getting into your dream college.
Frequently Asked Questions Can I include extracurricular activities that I started myself? Absolutely! Adding extracurricular activities that you started yourself can be highly beneficial for your college application. It’s a great showcase of your entrepreneurial spirit. Be sure to highlight the challenges you faced, the processes you implemented, and the outcomes of your endeavours.
How do I find opportunities for extracurricular activities in my community? Research your local organisations and school groups. Browse the internet and keep a lookout for community events. Also consider reaching out to your teachers, or counsellors for recommendations and opportunities.
How do I balance extracurricular activities with my academic workload? The secret to great school life balance lies within effective management! Plan your day and carefully set times for academics and extracurriculars.
What can I do if I didn’t participate in any extracurricular activities in high school? There are plenty of meaningful experiences you can list as extracurricular activities. You may include skills and hobbies that you have developed on your own. For instance, performing music, learning a language, hiking, and athletics. If you still struggle to find some, it is never to late to take on volunteering events and help your community.
Should I fill all 10 extracurricular activities slots in the common app? It is not necessary to meet all 10 slots. It would be much better to show significant involvement, leadership, and personal development in a handful of activities than it would be to write about ten activities that you were hardly involved in because you spread yourself too thin. Remember, prioritizse quality over quantity.
