Extracurricular activities are a big part of a student’s high school experience. They also play an important role in the college admissions process. While academic performance is essential, colleges practicing holistic admission look to understand who students are beyond the classroom.
So what exactly do colleges want to see on that activity list or student resume? What should you be involved in, or how many activities should you have to be a successful candidate? Do you need to be well-rounded? Do you need leadership roles?
We hear these questions all the time. In this blog post, let’s demystify extracurricular activities. We’ll look at the role extracurricular activities play in the admissions process and discuss what colleges are really looking for in a student’s extracurricular involvement.
The Role of Extracurricular Activities in College Admissions
Extracurriculars provide colleges with a fuller picture of who you are: your interests, passions, and how you spend your time. Activities show admissions officers the kind of person you are, how you engage with your community, and what you might contribute to their campus.
When multiple applicants have similar academic profiles, extracurriculars can be a differentiating factor that sets students apart—but they don’t take the place of solid academics! They provide insight into your priorities, values, and how you might impact your future college community. Admissions officers are looking for students who have excelled academically and made meaningful contributions outside the classroom.
Depth vs Breadth of Involvement
You may be familiar with the concept of a “well-rounded student.” You might have heard of a mythical student who plays a sport and an instrument and acts in the school play. They’re in academic clubs, volunteer, and have 3 part-time jobs. While you may even know someone who genuinely does do all of these things, it’s a myth that colleges are looking for this type of well-rounded student.
We prefer to use the term “well-lopsided” to describe students who may have fewer activities but are more deeply involved in what they care about. When it comes to extracurricular activities, depth is often more valuable than breadth.
Depth refers to that deeper commitment to a few activities. Depth shows sustained involvement and growth over time. Breadth, on the other hand, involves participating in many different activities, often without significant commitment to any single one. Some schools have a “sign-up culture” where everyone has signed up for every club. They’re technically on the membership roster but may not be actively involved in those activities.
Colleges generally prefer depth over breadth because it demonstrates dedication, passion, and the potential for impact or leadership in a particular area. For example, being the president of a club you’ve been involved with for several years often carries more weight than being a member of ten clubs. Consistent involvement over time in a few meaningful activities shows that you can commit to something you care about and make an impact.
Leadership & Initiative
Leadership is a quality that colleges value. Holding a leadership position, such as being a club president, team captain, or section leader, highlights your ability to take responsibility and motivate others.
However, leadership isn't just about titles. Colleges are also looking for students who demonstrate initiative—those who see a need and take action, whether or not it’s within an official leadership role.
For example, if you always arrive at track practice early to help set up and lead warm-ups, that’s leadership—even if it doesn’t come with a formal position. Seeing a problem that needs addressing—like if the recycling bins at your school aren’t emptied regularly—and doing something about it is taking initiative even if it doesn’t take place within a formal student organization. Leadership and initiative are about making things happen, not just having a fancy title.
Passion & Authenticity
Colleges want to see genuine passion in your extracurricular activities. Instead of participating in something simply because they think it will look good on an application, pursue things that authentically reflect your true interests and passions.
When you pursue activities you genuinely care about, you’re more likely to stick with them over time, get more involved, and deepen your level of commitment. Authentic engagement improves the quality of your involvement and the impact you make. Whether you’re passionate about art, science, community service, or a particular sport, focus on what truly excites you. This authenticity will stand out in your application.
Impact & Contribution
Colleges are interested in how you’ve made a meaningful impact through your extracurriculars. This impact could be at the school level, within your community, or on a broader scale. Admissions officers want to see that you’ve contributed positively to the community around you and left things better than you found them.
But impact and contribution don’t automatically mean community service. There are many ways to demonstrate impact, such as leading a successful project, organizing an event, or helping an organization change and grow. Even if your contributions aren’t formally recognized, think about ways you’ve influenced your peers, improved an organization, or addressed a community need.
Consistency & Commitment
Colleges also look for consistency in extracurricular activities over time. Long-term commitment to an activity reflects dedication, reliability, and the ability to stay committed. It shows that you’re not just jumping from one activity to another but are genuinely invested in the things you choose to do.
Colleges appreciate students who stick with their activities, especially when they continue to grow and take on more responsibility within those roles. Whether it’s sticking with a sport, a musical instrument, or getting more involved with your favorite club each year, consistency signals that you are dependable and serious about your commitments.
Does this mean you can’t ever quit something? Absolutely not! If something is no longer meeting your needs or isn’t something you enjoy, taking it off your plate makes room for something more meaningful and authentic.
Academics & Extracurriculars
Extracurricular activities do not have to connect to your academic interests, but they can let students explore their academic curiosity outside the classroom. For example, if you’re interested in pursuing a medical career, participating in a health-related club, volunteering at a hospital, or conducting scientific research can reinforce your academic goals.
This doesn’t mean that colleges will overlook lower grades in your intended academic focus just because you’ve participated in related activities. In most cases, grades will always be the most important admissions criteria. However, extracurricular activities tied to your academic interests can help show consistency in your goals. This is especially true for selective majors and students who have maxed out their school curriculum.
Uncommon Activities
When working on college applications, many students think they should only include extracurricular activities that are formal, school-related, or what they believe colleges are looking for. However, the activity list makes room for anything a student participates in that’s meaningful to them.
Don’t think, “What do colleges want to see?” Think, “What’s important enough to me that I devote time to it?”
This can include activities like hobbies, passion projects, and significant family responsibilities. Many artists, musicians, crafters, readers, DIYers, Lego builders, etc., spend a lot of time on the things they enjoy without a formal “activity.” Other students are responsible for younger siblings or help care for a grandparent. These are all valid pursuits and should be included in your college application.
Like with many things in college admissions, there’s no “right way” to pursue extracurricular activities. Colleges aren’t looking for specific activities or even a specific number.
Instead, colleges are looking for things like depth, leadership, passion, impact, and consistency. These qualities help paint a picture of who you are as a person and how you might contribute to the college community.
As you reflect on your current activities, consider how they align with these qualities and remember that extracurriculars should be both enjoyable and meaningful. They’re not just a box to check for college applications but an opportunity to grow, learn, and make a difference.