Good grades and test scores are important for getting into college, but they’re not the only things that matter. These days, colleges want well-rounded students who show drive, leadership, and initiative outside of school. That’s where things outside of school come in. If you do the right things, they will not only help your application but also make you stand out from other applicants.
Personal Growth through Extracurricular Activities that you can do outside of school, which can help your college applications, are listed below.
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1. Roles of Leadership
Colleges like it when students take the lead and do things on their own. Being a leader shows a Meaningful Extracurricular activity in which you are responsible, confident, and able to work with others, whether you’re the captain of the sports team, the president of your student council, or the founder of a new club.
- President of a club (for debate, robotics, theatre, etc.)
- Captain of the team (for sports or school teams)
- Person in charge of a school-wide event, like a fair or charity drive
Why it’s important:
Leadership experience shows that you can manage your time and influence others in a good way, which are two skills that schools really value.
2. Competitions and Clubs for Students
Joining academic clubs and competing in events shows that you are intellectually curious and want to learn more than just in school.
- Science Olympiad
- Mathletes
- Model United Nations
- Competitions for robots
- Debate team
This is important because it shows that you want to learn and are ready to push yourself beyond what you learn in school.
3. Helping People in Need and Volunteering
Schools learn a lot about your personality from the things you do for the community. If you’ve been committed to a cause for a long time and have been actively involved, it can help your application stand out.
For instance:
- Helping out at food banks, shelters, or hospitals in your area
- Putting together charity events
- Tutoring kids from poor families
- Projects to clean up the environment
Why it’s important:
It shows Meaningful Extracurricular Activities like how responsible and socially aware you are, which are all important traits that many schools look for.
4. Get Work Experience and Internships
Any kind of work experience in the real world, like an internship, part-time job, or study project, makes you look very impressive to colleges. It shows that you are an adult and that you are serious about your job goals.
For example:
- If you want to become a lawyer, you should do an internship at a law firm.
- If you’re interested in computer science, work at a tech company.
- Getting studies done at a university lab
Why it’s important:
It shows that you have experience in the real world and a clear idea of what you want to achieve.
5. Arts and Crafts
If you are talented, don’t be shy about showing them off! Colleges like candidates who take their creative interests seriously.
For instance:
- Music (band, orchestra, writing)
- Theater (performing, directing, and writing scripts)
- The visual arts include painting, photography, and sculpture.
- Creative writing (getting stories published and winning writing contests)
Why it’s important:
Being creative shows that you are unique, disciplined, and able to think in new ways, all of which are good qualities for college applicants.
6. Sports
Student athletes need to be disciplined, good at managing their time, and able to work with others. Athletics can be a strong part of your application, whether you play college sports or club sports all the time.
For example:
- Membership on the varsity team
- Taking part in tournaments at the state level
- Putting together sports camps for younger kids
Why it’s important:
Personal Growth through Extracurriculars, like participating in sports, shows commitment, physical endurance, and leadership skills.
7. Projects for Entrepreneurs
Beginning your own project, like a small business, a nonprofit, or an online project, can really make you stand out.
For example:
- Opening a shop on Etsy
- Creating a charity to help a cause
- Making a blog or mobile app
Why it matters:
Being an entrepreneur shows that you are proactive, creative, resilient, and have a strong work ethic.
8. Projects Based on Personal Passion
The Meaningful Extracurricular Activities are sometimes the ones you make up on your own. Highlight your passions if you’ve put a lot of time into them, like making your video games, fixing up old cars, or writing a book.
For instance:
- Putting together a collection of your art or photos
- Having a YouTube account where people can learn
- Putting together and selling a book
Why it’s important:
Personal projects show commitment, depth, and uniqueness, all of which are qualities that colleges love to see.
Last Thoughts
Quality is much more important than quantity when it comes to picking extracurricular activities for your college application. It’s better to commit to a few things you love than to join every club that comes along. Colleges want to see honesty, dedication, leadership, and an ability to make a difference.
Finally, Personal Growth through Extracurriculars you do outside of school should show what you value, who you are, and how you want to add to the college community.
FAQs
The best hobbies are the ones that show off your interests and help you grow as a person. Your story behind the activity is what counts, not how impressive it looks on paper. This is true whether you’re starting a small business, writing poetry, volunteering regularly, or making digital art.
Being a leader can help, but it’s not necessary. It’s just as important for colleges to see constant commitment, passion, and self-initiative. It’s worth mentioning if you’ve made a meaningful contribution or grown a lot in your job, even if you’re just a member.
Of course. Even unusual activities can help you stand out if you can show that you are dedicated, creative, and growing as a person. These often show initiative and individuality that are hard to find in other people, which are both big pluses when applying to college.