If you’re a high school student, you’ve probably heard that “colleges look at extracurriculars”, but you might be wondering what that really means for you. What are colleges evaluating when they look at your extracurricular participation? How can you ensure that your activities make a good impression? First, it’s important not to spread yourself too thin. Academics are certainly important during high school, but extra curriculars can make a difference. Colleges aren’t looking for sheer quantity; they want to see passion and commitment to activities that you find meaningful.
Choose a few activities that genuinely interest you and strive to take on leadership roles or otherwise contribute to the team, club, or group. Deepen and develop these interests over time. Don’t choose activities solely because you think they will impress admissions officers. They want to know what you enjoy so they can envision how you might get involved and contribute on their campuses.
Participate in the extracurricular activities that you want to participate in, then think about how you can best lead and contribute in these areas. If you’re not sure where to start, consider signing up for one or more of the extracurricular activities listed below. Decide which activities fit your interests, then read our tips on how to maximize your participation and make your college applications more competitive.
National Honor Society is an organization for high-achieving students that focuses on scholarship, leadership, and service. To join, you must have at least a 3.0 GPA, and teacher recommendation forms are typically required. NHS prefers candidates who have demonstrated good character, as well as a commitment to service and leadership. NHS members are considered leaders and role models in their schools. They plan and participate in a variety of activities that benefit the school and community. If you enjoy giving back to the community, value academic excellence, and want to be a leader at your school, National Honor Society is a great fit.
Additionally, passionate leaders may enjoy the Student Government Association (SGA). SGA members represent the student body to the faculty and administration. They also sponsor and organize service projects, school dances, and spirit activities, and they oversee or work with many other student organizations. The SGA is headed by the student body president and other class officers. To get one of these positions, you’ll need to campaign for votes and give persuasive speeches to your fellow students.
Lastly, If you’re interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, it’s a great idea to join a STEM-related club at your school. This is especially true if you’re applying to a college like CalTech or MIT. The admissions team wants a class of students who are deeply curious and passionate about STEM fields.
Luke Berneking 
September 07 ,
2021 
0 Comments
