Which Extracurriculars Matter Most?
Unpacking the College Myth
As a college advisor, I often hear from parents who are uncertain about which extracurricular activities are most valuable during the college admissions process. Let's break down this topic and see how to make informed decisions about your child's extracurricular pursuits.
Quality over quantity: Colleges value depth and commitment over a lengthy list of superficial activities. Encourage your child to pursue a few activities they genuinely enjoy and excel in, rather than signing up for numerous activities merely for the sake of building an impressive resume.
Demonstrate growth and leadership: Encourage your child to take on leadership roles, initiate new projects, or pursue advanced levels within their chosen activities. Demonstrating growth, passion, and leadership will set them apart from their peers.
Choose meaningful experiences: Extracurriculars should showcase your child's unique interests and skills. Encourage them to participate in activities that genuinely excite them, such as community service, research projects, or artistic endeavors.
Seek diverse opportunities: Summer programs, internships, and job experiences can provide valuable real-world insights and demonstrate your child's curiosity and adaptability.
Remember balance: While extracurriculars are an essential component of college applications, they shouldn't overshadow academics. Help your child strike a balance between their studies and outside activities to maintain a strong GPA and well-rounded lifestyle.
Sports make for a fantastic high school extracurricular by fostering teamwork, discipline, and leadership skills. They also demonstrate commitment and resilience, qualities that colleges highly value in applicants.
Participating in clubs or taking on leadership roles demonstrates initiative, responsibility, and the ability to collaborate with others. These experiences show colleges that a student can lead, organize, and make a positive impact within their community.
Music is an excellent high school extracurricular that showcases creativity, dedication, and perseverance. It also highlights a student's ability to collaborate and perform under pressure, skills that are highly regarded by college admissions officers.
Encourage your child to pursue extracurricular activities that showcase their passions, leadership potential, and commitment. Sports, music, and clubs are just a few examples of extracurricular activities that can enrich a student's high school experience. Beyond these, there are numerous other valuable opportunities such as internships, volunteering, and part-time jobs, which provide real-world experience and demonstrate a student's commitment to personal and professional growth. Additionally, involvement in research projects, academic competitions, and community service can further showcase a student's diverse interests and skills. These varied activities not only help build a well-rounded profile but also highlight a student's ability to balance multiple responsibilities and make meaningful contributions to their community.
