What Extracurriculars Do Colleges Like?

Let’s be real, college applications can feel like a checklist. GPA? Check. Test scores? Check. But then you hit the extracurriculars section and suddenly it’s like… wait, what actually counts?

Whether you're a freshman just getting started or a junior scrambling to build your resume, you’ve probably asked yourself at least once: what extracurriculars do colleges like?

The short answer? The ones that show who you are, what you care about, and how you've grown. But of course, it’s a bit more nuanced than that, so let’s dive into the details.

Understanding What Counts as an Extracurricular Activity

An extracurricular is anything you do outside of regular school hours that isn’t part of your academic curriculum. This could include clubs, sports, jobs, volunteering, hobbies, competitions, and more. In other words, if it shows your interests, passions, or skills, it probably counts.

What counts as extracurricular activities? There’s a solid way to tell by asking yourself these questions:

• Is it something I chose to do outside of my classes?

• Does it take time, effort, or commitment?

• Did I grow, learn, lead, or create through it?

If you said “yes” to any of those, it’s likely an extracurricular. Even babysitting your siblings or running an Etsy shop can count. Don’t sell yourself short.

What Extracurriculars Do Colleges Like?

Colleges appreciate students who are involved in meaningful activities that reflect their interests, values, and personal growth. When asking what extracurriculars colleges like, the most important factor is how those activities showcase your character, commitment, and initiative. Rather than focusing on specific types of activities, admissions teams look for depth, consistency, and the impact you've made over time. 

Whether it's leading a club, volunteering regularly, pursuing a creative project, or working part-time, colleges are most impressed by extracurriculars that demonstrate dedication, leadership, and a genuine passion for what you do.

Best Extracurricular Activities for College Applications

Here’s what tends to catch an admissions officer’s eye:

• Leadership roles (team captain, club president, project manager)

• Long-term commitment (more than 1–2 years)

• Unique passion projects (podcasts, YouTube channels, startups)

• Competitions (debate, science fairs, math contests)

• Community involvement (volunteering, fundraising, mentorship)

That’s why good extracurriculars for college are the ones that say, “I care about something and I put in the work.”

Does Your Extracurricular Have to Be Relevant?

Nope! That’s a common misconception. Does your extracurricular have to be relevant to your major or future career? Not necessarily. What matters is how passionate you are about it and what you learned from it.

A student applying to an engineering program who also competes in piano competitions is still demonstrating dedication, discipline, and creativity. All of that is super relevant to college life.

Types of Extracurricular Activities Colleges Appreciate

Let’s get into the categories. We’re talking extracurricular activities in high school that show up well on applications, and give you something meaningful to talk about in your essays and interviews.

Academic Enrichment & Competitions

If you’re really into a subject, take it further outside the classroom. Join clubs or compete.

Examples of extracurricular activities like this include:

• Science Olympiad, Mathletes, Quiz Bowl

• Spelling Bees or National History Day

• Model UN, Mock Trial, DECA

These are the best extracurriculars for college when you're trying to show intellectual curiosity.

Creative & Performing Arts

If you’re into music, art, dance, or drama, don’t just keep it as a hobby. Let it shine on your application.

Extracurricular examples here:

• Theater productions

• School band, choir, or orchestra

• Art classes or galleries

• Dance performances or competitions

Bonus: You can often submit a portfolio or performance video.

Athletics and Team Sports

Colleges appreciate the commitment it takes to be part of a team. Even if you’re not going to a Division 1 school, playing a sport shows that you can work with others, handle pressure, and stick to a routine.

List of extracurricular activities in this lane:

• Varsity or JV sports

• Club sports outside of school

• Martial arts, swimming, or even skateboarding, if done competitively

And yes, cooking counts as an extracurricular activity too if you’ve taken classes, started a food blog, or entered contests.

Is Volunteering an Extracurricular Activity in Summer?

100% yes. Summer volunteering is an excellent way to enhance your resume and make a meaningful impact. The key is consistency and connection.

Instead of bouncing between random opportunities, find something that aligns with your interests and stick with it. Volunteering at a hospital could tie into an interest in medicine. Tutoring could point to a future in education.

Extracurricular activities for high schoolers in this area might include:

• Volunteering at food banks or shelters

• Helping younger kids with reading or homework

• Starting your own local initiative or nonprofit

Wondering how this looks on paper? Search for community-based college application activities list examples, and you’ll see these are often right at the top.

How to Make Your Extracurriculars Stand Out

This is where a lot of students get stuck. You have plenty of things to list, but how do you make them stand out? Easy. Think less about what you did, and more about what you accomplished or learned.

Activities to Put on a Resume

When it comes to activities to put on a resume or your college app, remember this: impact > title. Instead of writing “Member of environmental club”, say something like: “Led a recycling awareness campaign that reached 500+ students and reduced cafeteria waste by 30%.” That tells a story.

What Looks Good on College Applications?

Admissions officers want to see:

• Passion (what do you care about?)

• Commitment (did you stick with it?)

• Leadership (did you take charge or solve problems?)

• Initiative (did you start something new?)

That’s why even if your activity was short-lived, if you made a big impact, that still looks good. And if you're wondering, is having an extracurricular for 2 months good? It can be, if it was meaningful or impressive enough. But for most, a longer-term commitment is better.

How Many Extracurriculars Should I Have for College?

There’s no golden number, but most students list between 5-10 solid activities. What matters more is that they’re strong, unique, and show variety. A mix of academic, creative, community, and leadership roles is most effective.

How to Write Extracurricular Activities for a College Application

When writing about extracurricular activities for college, be specific and detailed. Use action verbs. Focus on results. And if possible, tie it back to your future goals.

For example:

• “Founded a podcast interviewing local entrepreneurs, reached 1,000+ downloads, sparked my interest in business and marketing.”

Want help writing yours? A tutor in Orange County from Total Tutors can walk you through every step of the way.

Final Thoughts on Extracurriculars for College Applications

So, what extracurriculars should you add to your college application? The ones that tell your story. The ones that show what excites you, what you’re willing to work hard at, and how you’ve grown. It’s not about having a perfect resume; it’s about having a real one.

If you're still figuring things out, that’s totally okay. Use this time to explore, commit, and create. Colleges want to see you become the best version of yourself, and extracurriculars are a huge part of that.

FAQs About Extracurriculars for College Applications

What is an extracurricular activity?

It’s anything outside of your core academics: clubs, sports, hobbies, jobs, volunteering, and competitions. If it’s meaningful and takes time or effort, it counts.

What are the extracurricular activities that stand out?

Activities where you’ve made an impact, shown leadership, or done something unique tend to stand out. Depth matters more than quantity.

What extracurricular activities should I do for college?

Pick what genuinely interests you! You’ll stick with it longer and achieve more. Look for things that align with your passions and push you to grow.

What's an extracurricular activity that colleges don’t expect?

Unusual things like coding your own app, restoring vintage cars, starting a niche blog, or even entering cooking competitions can be amazing—just be authentic.

What do admissions officers look for in extracurriculars?

They’re looking for initiative, commitment, leadership, and passion. Bonus points if you’ve made a difference in your school or community.

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