Do Extracurricular Activities Really Make a Difference?

We all know that excellent grades and test scores play a major role in getting accepted to college, but are extracurricular activities important, too? The short answer is yes. This is not to say that you can gain acceptance into colleges by exchanging soccer for science or football for French class; on the contrary, your activities outside the classroom only serve to supplement your academic record and help colleges gain a better understanding of who you are as a person. The activities you choose to participate in during high school can say a lot about you and may even be an indicator of how successful you will be in college and beyond. If you participate in organized sports and extracurricular activities, you may be perceived as having good time management skills and the ability to make a commitment, as well as being able to work with others. These traits are highly sought after by college admission officers, as they indicate that you may be better equipped to handle the pressures of college life than those students who did not participate in outside activities. When deciding which extracurricular activities may be best for you, consider the following:

Choose What You Love

Don’t participate in a sport or activity if you have no interest in it. You will not put forth your best effort and you’ll have less opportunities to advance, as well. Instead, choose something you love. If you’re passionate about writing, consider the student newspaper or journalism club, instead of signing up for the swim team. You’ll have more fun and be more likely to stick with it. It’s also a good idea to participate in extracurricular activities that may be within your chosen field of interest or college major, as this will demonstrate to the college admissions officers your passion for the subject area. You may also create some lasting relationships with teachers, administrators and/or coaches, all of whom may be able to provide great letters of recommendation down the line.

Think Quality Over Quantity

If you participate in too many activities, it may signal to the college admission board that you are easily bored or unable to make a commitment. It’s much more persuasive to participate in an activity over several semesters or years. Even if you waited until junior or senior year to get involved, you should refrain from participating in too many activities, as it may appear you are trying to pad your transcript. Instead, pick one or two activities that you can dedicate yourself to and consider taking on a leadership role with one or both of them. If you can’t find anything on campus or in your community that interests you, consider creating a new campus club or organizing a community project, as this will demonstrate your ability to think outside the box and lead others.

Don’t Waste the Summer Break

Summer is a great time to throw yourself into some new activities. Without the added stress of classes and homework, you can focus on several different projects and even explore new interests. If you love drama, check with the local theater groups to see if they could use a camp counselor or need help with a summer production. If swimming is your thing, consider being a lifeguard at a camp for disadvantaged students or those with special needs. There are also plenty of charitable and community organizations that need help during the summer months. You may also want to consider an internship or participate in a community sports league. The point is, find something you love and stick with it during the summer; you’ll gain valuable experience and rack up quite a few hours.

Colleges are looking for well-rounded students to make up a diverse student body, so there’s no simple answer for which extracurricular may be more worthy than another. What’s interesting is that what you do may not be as important as why you are doing it. If you want to give colleges a clear picture of who you are and demonstrate your desire to succeed, find your passion and run with it. It doesn’t matter if it’s playing the flute, pitching on a baseball team or writing poetry, just enjoy what you are doing and it will shine through in your college applications.

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