How do you like to spend your time after school? Did you know that how you spend this time could be one of the most important ways you shape your future? Extracurricular activities are an important part of your college application, and you need to impress colleges with your interests.But you may not know what good extracurricular activities look like or what you should spend your time on. We've got you covered with hundreds of examples of extracurricular activities right here in our guide. Read on for inspiration on how to spend your precious free time during high school! Aextracurricular activitiesit can be almost anything that is not required for high school credits or gainful employment you have during your high school years. These activities will be very important later, for example, when applying to university, as they will help you develop your talents, interests and passions. They can also teach you practical skills like time management. With so many options, every student should be able to find an extracurricular study that interests them and that they can develop a passion for! Remember extracurricular activitiesdoes not have to be sponsored by your school,Therefore, you should also consider the things you do with your family or in your community. Below I have listed many popular activities that you may not have considered extracurricular activities. Take a look at the list and see if your activities are already listed or if you see something you didn't think of before. Of course, this list is not exhaustive, as you can turn almost any interest into an extracurricular interest. If you are actively involved in something that you don't see here, that is, you spend a significant amount of time in an activity that allows you to develop a talent or interest, be a leader, or serve your community, then you should be sure to consider this. an extracurricular activity too! What doesn't necessarily count as extracurricular?Any interest of yours that is very self-centered is unlikely to achieve it. An extracurricular activity must be an activity that demonstrates a talent or primarily adds value to other people.When you really have to squirm to justify something being extracurricular(My driver's license will make the streets safer for everyone! Keeping my shots up to date helps immunocompromised people!),then it probably doesn't count as extracurricular. However, there is a spectrum here - for exampleImproving the quality of your hairor braiding hair for fun isn't really extracurricular. But starting a YouTube channel on beauty tips or starting a club for teen health enthusiasts will definitely do the trick. But if you're still not sure if something qualifies as extracurricular, or if you need some inspiration, read on for our full list of extracurricular activities. Not sure how to use this list of extracurricular activities? Just follow the six steps outlined in this section and you'll be well on your way to choosing the best after-school offer for you! What are your interests? Have you always wanted to try something related to art, but weren't sure if it would be worth your while or if a college admissions team would vote you up for it? Keep in mind that universities don't really careEraType of activity you're doing: that's what they want to see insteadyou are doing something you are passionate about.So make a list of all your interests, both the things that interest you already and other areas that intrigue you and want to learn more about. Check out the list below and see if any of the activities match your interests.You may see some opportunities you didn't think of before to pursue an interest! Keep in mind that there can be many different outlets for every interest you have. For example, if you want to play an instrument, you could take private lessons, play in your school's marching band, play in a community marching band, or work as part of the orchestra for your school's upcoming musical. Find out if these activities are available in your high school or community.If there's something you're passionate about that isn't offered yet, consider starting your own group. But if you're not sure if the interest will persist and you just want to give it a try, it's probably best to find another outlet for your curiosity. The next step isStart doing activities!But how many should you do? If you're a newbie, I recommend trying a few different activities, up to ten if there are so many that interest you. The idea at this stage isShowcase a variety of extracurricular activities.Once you start to get a feel for which activities will really help you develop your most passionate interests, you can spend more time on those and leave the rest. If you're a sophomore, junior, or senior, hopefully you should already have an idea of what kinds of activities you'd like to focus on.Make a list of the top five activities that interest you.If you have time to try all five, do it. This gives you a little time to experiment and see what is most interesting. If you don't have time, try cutting back on your five or three most important activities. Remember not to overextend,especially if you are older than first year. It is more important to spend a lot of time on each activity than to have a long list of activities.Choose activities that allow you to have a significant impact, either in your own development or in the community. This list is divided into categories to make it easier for you to find an activity that suits your interests.However, we recommend perusing at least all of the extracurricular options listed below,even if you think that there are categories that do not interest you. You never know what might catch your eye! Note: Not all schools offer formal clubs in all of these categories. If you see something that interests you that your school doesn't offer, try joining a community group or even a national or online group to further explore the interest. Many of these topics are also available as summer camp activities. You might also consider starting a club at your school if you are looking for an opportunity to get involved in something that interests you while showing leadership and initiative. These activities are based on a specific academic theme and include both clubs (groups to discuss and practice specific topics) and competitive teams. Academic teams have competitions that are held at all levels, from local to national. These activities allow you to express yourself artistically: on paper, through a lens, on stage, and through other media. Let your creativity take over your mind and body! These activities can help you reconnect with your roots or allow you to experience the diversity of the world without ever leaving your home. There are many other cultural and language related activities that you can participate in. Some of the most common are listed below. These activities allow you to get involved in your community. Are you interested in making a difference in your school, community, or on a larger scale through politics? Try a government-related activity to see if this might be a career interest for you. These activities may be right for you if you are a born leader, skilled at motivating, guiding, and inspiring others. If you enjoy writing and communicating, consider participating in a media activity to bring news and information to your school or community. If you are interested in learning about discipline, teamwork, and leadership, you may be interested in a military extracurricular activity. If you want to try playing an instrument or singing, there are many ways to try music-related activities. They are usually available both in your school community and in your community at large. Do you love to mess it up? You'll find that both at your school and in your community, there are many ways to get on stage and make your audience laugh and cry. You can usually find these groups in your community. Did you know that your love of fantasy can also be an after-school activity? Participation in one of these groups can show a dedication to many different creative skills. These groups may have chapters at your school or in your community. If there is a cause close to your heart, contact the local group that supports it. You will often find these groups at your school or supported by the community. If you have a particular interest in something that you can't find a local group for, consider starting one or joining a national group. You can connect online with others who have the same interest and attend meetings throughout the year. If you have a knack for spotting faulty logic and shattering opponents' arguments, try one of these clubs. Many schools sponsor these groups and some of them are competitive locally and nationally. You're probably already familiar with your school's sports teams, but there are plenty of ways to get involved outside of them, too. Try extracurricular sports, join a club league in your community, or consider coaching a youth team. The love of technology can take you far. If you have deep knowledge in a specific field, try to share it with the online community. The advantage of these activities is that anyone with an Internet connection can do them - no school sponsored club is necessary! There are many ways to make a difference in your community. Look forvolunteer groupsat your school, your church or anywhere else in your neighborhood. There are many websites likevoluntary gamewho can help you find a local nonprofit project that interests you. If none of the above activities work for you, you're still in luck. Because? you always cancreate your ownextracurricular activities! Did you know thatalmost any hobby can be turned into an extracurricular activity? Starting a business or website, volunteering, or an unusual hobby can become something to write about for college. And if you're unique enough not to be on this list, rest assured, you'll be something new to the college admissions board, too. Most importantly, it is an outlet for your passion, creativity, and leadership. Instead of thinking you're not doing anything interesting, take the opportunity to find a new passion or turn something you already love into an activity you can share with the world. If you think we've left something out and would like to add something to this list,leave a comment below. Now that you know what extracurricular activities are like,read abouthow to write about extracurricular activities on your college application Did you know that you can use community service to pay for college?See our step by step guideHow to win scholarships for community service. Do you want your extracurricular activities to really turn heads?Consult our guideThree amazing extracurricular examples sure to impress colleges. Do you think ahead about college applications? If you're a freshman, sophomore, or junior concerned about college admissions, our world-class admissions counselors can help.We know exactly what kind of students universities want to host and we can make sure their profile shines. Prep Scholar Admissionsis the best admissions counseling service in the world. We have helped thousands of students get theirs.top notch schools, from state universities to the Ivy League. Join our mentor program today:
What is an extracurricular activity?
How should you use this list of extracurricular activities?
Step 1: Brainstorm extracurricular ideas
Step 2: Find out what extracurricular activities suit your interests
Step 3: Research different after-school options
Step 4: Participate in some activities
Step 5: Limit your extracurricular activities
Step 6: Increase your impact with a few activities
List of extracurricular activities by category
Academic
societies
Academic competition teams.
until
culture and language
community
Government
guide
media
Military
Music
performance art
Religious
Role Play/Imagination
social activism
special interest
speech and political interests
Sports and Recreation
Technology
voluntary
Last word
Whats Next?
Barcaza Mary-Ann
About the Author
Mary Ann has a BA in Classics and Russian from the University of Notre Dame and an MA from University College London. She has years of experience as a tutor and is passionate about traveling and learning languages.
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FAQs
Should you fill out all 10 extracurricular activities? ›
The Common App has space for students to list ten activities, but you should not feel obligated to fill out all ten. Only fill out all 10 if you've made significant efforts in each of those activities listed.
How to write about extracurricular activities in personal statement examples? ›“I have a passion for creative projects, so being part of a Young Enterprise company enabled me to nurture my skills and explore the world of business. I learnt invaluable lessons on teamwork and leadership. This has also helped completement my role as Captain of the School Football Team.”
What is an example of extracurricular activities list? ›- Athletics. ...
- Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) ...
- Student Government. ...
- Model UN, Mock Trial, & Debate. ...
- Volunteer & Community Organizations. ...
- Language Clubs Organizations. ...
- Cultural Organizations. ...
- The Arts.
- Travel.
- Volunteering, community service or charity work.
- Sports such as competing on a team or in a league, hiking or other forms of exercise.
- Creative arts, including writing, music, painting and crafts.
- Cooking or gardening.
Children should not have activities every day of the week. Many people agree that three is a good maximum. If a child is at that maximum and wants to add a new activity, then ensure that they drop one. Build in space for downtime.
Is 4 extracurriculars enough? ›Ideally, you should pick two to three areas of interest (in case some don't pan out, there are couple of backups) and make long-term commitments (three to four years) in three to five extracurricular activities. Development of leadership skills in your extracurricular activities is essential.
What is an example sentence for extra curricular activities? ›Playing football was seen as an extracurricular activity. This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license. In universities, the cultural festivals are placed as extracurricular activity, so attendance is not required.
What hobbies are good for personal statement? ›- Team sports.
- Volunteering.
- Blogging.
- Club membership.
- Painting & Drawing.
- Mentoring and coaching.
- Travelling.
- Gaming.
Example of Great Hobbies and Interests Personal Statement
I am a passionate hobbyist with diverse interests and an enthusiasm for learning new skills. Over the years, I have explored many hobbies, including painting, photography, playing music, gardening, and cooking – just to name a few!
Sport, drama, Scouts and Guides, hobbies like craft or photography – extracurricular activities can be just about anything your child enjoys outside school. They can also be things you've encouraged your child to do, like language classes, music, debating, religious instruction, swimming, or paid and unpaid jobs.
What is considered weak extracurriculars? ›
The most common “weak” extracurricular profile is simply one that is nonexistent, or bare-bones. Admissions officers want to accept students who will be involved in the campus community, and a student who has no extracurriculars, or only a couple casual involvements, is not a desirable candidate.
How many extracurriculars should I list? ›Admissions officers would far prefer to see “only” three or so activities that: a) Are aligned with your future academic/career goals. b) Demonstrate your ability to lead and get results (titles matter less than your actual duties/responsibilities).
Is 11th grade too late for extracurriculars? ›If you are well into your senior year of high school, it might be too late to pursue extracurriculars for college application purposes, but it's never too late to develop new hobbies and foster new passions.
What extracurriculars look best? ›- Leadership Work and Positions. Colleges seek out applicants with leadership experience. ...
- Part-Time Jobs. ...
- Sports and Athletic Participation. ...
- Academic Clubs and Teams. ...
- Artistic and Creative Pursuits. ...
- Volunteering and Community Service. ...
- Internships.
Extracurricular activities are not the most important factor in a college application. Coursework and GPA, for instance, bear more weight. However, this is not to say that extracurriculars have little or no impact on the admissions decision a student ultimately receives.
How do you get Tier 1 extracurriculars? ›TIER 1: In Tier 1 extracurriculars, a student has participated in an activity at the (inter)national level, or attended a prestigious enrichment program. These types of activities demand a very large time commitment from the student, so we only expect ONE Tier 1 activity from a student.
What is classified as extra curricular activities? ›An extracurricular activity is anything that falls outside the scope of a regular curriculum. It typically doesn't carry academic credit but can be related to school. For example, athletics and student clubs are considered extracurricular activities.
What is an example of activities in a sentence? ›The holidays always set off a lot of activity in our home. the sexual activity of married couples The police are now monitoring criminal activity in the area. She gets at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day.
What are extra and co curricular activities in school? ›Co-curricular activities include sports, school bands, student newspaper etc. They may also be classed as 'Extracurricular' i.e. activities carried on outside the regular course of study; activities outside the usual duties of a job, as extra class activities.”
What are 5 hobbies you need ideas? ›- Learn calligraphy. ...
- Work out online. ...
- Learn how to cook. ...
- Practice meditation. ...
- Pick up needlework. ...
- Learn an instrument. ...
- Paint. ...
- Make your own soap, candles, you name it…
What are the 5 hobbies I should have? ›
Walk, swim, rollerblade, dance, hike, trampoline or just wiggle, but get that body moving. Healthy living is part of having a balanced life and with so many options to choose from these days there is something for everyone.
What are the 5 hobbies everyone should have for a better life? ›If he had a fixed mindset, he would have given up, and history would have suffered. To recap: find five hobbies that you love: one to make you money, one to keep you in shape, one to be creative, one to build knowledge, and one to evolve your mindset. Do you have these five hobbies?
What are the 4 main hobbies? ›If those answers are "anxious" and "no," respectively, there's good news: Lucht says there are four types of hobbies to explore: physical, cerebral, creative, and community or service-oriented.
What are 2 examples of hobbies? ›A hobby is something you enjoy doing in your free time. It is an activity that helps you relieve stress and tension. For example, playing chess, reading books, writing, cooking, traveling, etc. are prominent examples of hobbies.
Is 5 extracurriculars good? ›How Many “Normal” Activities Should Students Have? The Goldilocks “just right” number of activities is 5 or 6. This is a good amount because it's achievable for most students without being overwhelming.
Do colleges like a lot of extracurriculars? ›While grades and test scores are important, colleges also want to see the person you're becoming and the skills you've learned outside of class. They want to know what makes you unique, and the extracurricular activities you participate in will help you stand out.
Should you include extracurriculars in personal statement? ›A personal statement should combine subject interest with extra-curricular activities. However, the focus of a personal statement should be about the course. For a well-rounded personal statement we suggest that 75-80% of the content should be academic and 10 -15% should focus on extra-curricular activities.
How to write hobbies and extracurricular activities in resume? ›- Choose activities that you actively contributed to.
- Include relevant and appropriate experiences.
- Evaluate how your participation makes you an ideal candidate.
- Organize your extracurricular activities intentionally.
How to List Your Extracurriculars on a Resume. Regardless of where you choose to list your extracurriculars, you should generally include the name of the organization, your role within it (“member” or any positions held), and the dates you participated.
Do employers look at extracurricular activities? ›Aside from being able to show your individuality and display your interests proudly, extracurricular activities can give recruiters an idea of skills and personal qualities that can be an asset to their companies. An extensive list of extracurricular activities in your resume may be tantamount to a feather in your cap.
Should I use all 10 activities on common app? ›
You can add up to ten activities to your application, but that doesn't mean that you need to enter ten. On average, students applying through Common App report 6 activities. Don't forget, this section is how colleges can get to know more about you.
Do activity descriptions have to be full sentences? ›First of all, you don't need to write complete sentences in your activity description. Use short, crisp phrases to communicate only the most important events and achievements.
Do colleges confirm extracurriculars? ›In summary, colleges use a combination of recommendations, official documentation, self-reporting, and random audits to verify the extracurricular activities reported by applicants. Honesty and accuracy are crucial in this process, as misrepresentation can lead to severe consequences for the student.
What if you have more than 10 extracurriculars? ›Don't worry if you have more than 10 activities you want the admission counselors to know about. Many colleges allow you to upload a full extracurricular resume as part of your application. Alternatively, you may be able to find ways to reference additional extracurriculars in your supplemental essays.
How many extracurriculars should I put? ›How Many Extracurriculars Should You Do? Strong applications tend to have between 8 and 10 extracurricular activities. This sounds like a lot, but many activities are seasonal, so it's possible to fit, for example, three to four sports into one year.
How many extracurriculars is too much in high school? ›The typical college application offers eight to ten spaces for extracurricular activities. Over time, many parents, counselors, and students decided that eight to ten activities is the “right” number to strive for. For most students, eight to ten extracurricular activities is just too many.
Does the order of your activities list matter? ›List your activities in order of importance. Place the activities that are most important to you — and most likely to impress colleges — at the top. The list should appear in descending order of importance.
What do good extracurriculars look like? ›Academic Activities: Examples include quiz bowl, debate, model United Nations, pre-college programs, study abroad programs, and mock trial. These activities demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning beyond the classroom and an interest in furthering your education.
Do colleges like people with a lot of extracurriculars? ›While grades and test scores are important, colleges also want to see the person you're becoming and the skills you've learned outside of class. They want to know what makes you unique, and the extracurricular activities you participate in will help you stand out.
Do colleges fact check extracurriculars? ›In summary, colleges use a combination of recommendations, official documentation, self-reporting, and random audits to verify the extracurricular activities reported by applicants. Honesty and accuracy are crucial in this process, as misrepresentation can lead to severe consequences for the student.
How many hours of extracurriculars is too much? ›
No One-Size-Fits-All Answer
In reality, only six percent of teens meet the definition of “overscheduled,” spending 20 or more hours a week in extracurriculars, according to research from Yale University. Five to seven hours per week is the average. But how much your teen can handle is a personal matter.
It's not necessary to fill in all 20 spots in the UC activities and awards section, but it's best to include as many as possible that are relevant, meaningful and important to you. The UC schools don't have preferences for any particular type or category of activity or award they are looking for.
How many activities do colleges like to see? ›Admissions officers would far prefer to see “only” three or so activities that: a) Are aligned with your future academic/career goals. b) Demonstrate your ability to lead and get results (titles matter less than your actual duties/responsibilities).
How important is the activity list? ›In addition to your essays and letters of recommendation, your activities list can make a big difference in your application. It is one of the few holistic sections of the Common Application that help admissions officers understand who you are in addition to your demographic and academic information.