Year after year, one of my biggest concerns when reviewing students’ resumes is that they are not sufficiently involved in their high school and surrounding communities, making it difficult for colleges to learn about who they are and where their interests lie. While athletic extracurricular activities are a plus, we encourage students to consider non-athletic extracurricular activities as well to demonstrate that they are well-rounded.

To put it bluntly, extracurricular involvement is essential for college applications. Period. Otherwise, colleges may consider you lazy, self-centered, or both. Not a good look!

Listed below are some articles that discuss the importance of extracurricular activities. Get involved and stay involved throughout high school. Why? Because your college acceptances may depend on this.

Join some clubs. Volunteer. Be involved.  Just do it! — Nike

 “If there is one thing we know for sure about the US university application process, it is that US colleges are genuinely interested in who you are and what matters to you. Unlike other higher education systems across the world, US colleges and universities ask the most personal questions and ask extensively about student hobbies. In the US, extracurriculars account for about 30% of your application. With the elimination of SAT Subject Tests and the trend of universities going test-optional, extracurricular activities are the one component that continues to carry a lot of weight.”[1]

1. https://www.crimsoneducation.org/us/blog/how-important-are-extracurriculars-for-college-admissions-/
2. https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/plan-for-college/college-prep/stand-out/extracurriculars-matter-to-you-and-to-colleges#:~:text=While%20grades%20and%20test%20scores,will%20help%20you%20stand%20out.
3. https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/college-admissions-playbook/articles/how-colleges-weigh-high-school-extracurriculars
4. https://post.edu/blog/the-best-extracurricular-activities-to-include-on-your-college-application/
5. https://www.bestcolleges.com/blog/best-extracurriculars-college-applications/

[1] www.crimsoneducation.org