x Extracurriculars and Hobbies That Look Good on College Applications
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Extracurriculars and Hobbies That Look Good on College Applications

With Ivy League colleges reducing their acceptance rates (Brown University was accepting only 5% in 2022), extracurricular activities and hobbies are more important than ever. In fact, 51% of admission officers find extracurricular activities moderately or considerably important.


Remember, college applications are not just to list your child’s accomplishments. It’s the first impression a college admissions officer will have of your child.


Learn how to highlight hobbies that look good on a college application to set your child up for the best future.


  1. Academic Activities that Go Beyond Grades


Academics can be more than just grades. Scholarly extracurriculars can showcase your child’s interest in math, research, etc. Academic activities show curiosity, a determination to learn and grow, and dedication to their scholarly interests.


  • Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)

  • Math club

  • Coding club

  • National Honor Society (NHS)

  • Various academic competitions and Olympiads (especially if they win)

  • Science/Physics/Biology/Chemistry club

  • Robotics

  • Future Health Professionals (HOSA)

  • History club

  • Economics club

  • Astronomy club

  • Debate club

  • Mock law trials


  1. Leadership Roles and Initiatives


Having documented leadership positions will help your child stand out from others because it shows they are not only responsible but also trusted by their peers. Additionally, if they have taken the initiative to create a new club or group, that should also be mentioned, no matter what type of activity it is.


  • The president of any school club

  • Captain of a team

  • Being on the student council

  • School event coordinator

  • Youth city council member

  • A position on the youth advisory board

  • Model UN

  • Solos in band or choir

  • Founding member of a group or club

  • Building community initiatives


  1. Creative Pursuits


Some parents think that mentioning creative extracurricular activities isn’t necessary unless their child is pursuing a degree in the arts, but that’s not true. Arts can show your child’s passions and that they have a wide range of skills. If your child has published their writing or sold their art, that should also be included.


Different art activities can include:


  • Theater group

  • Performing arts

  • Painting

  • Art competitions (and winning)

  • Dancing

  • Band

  • Choir

  • Graphic design

  • Writing

  • Painting community murals

  • Yearbook

  • Photography

  • School newspaper

  • Slam poetry

  • Being part of arts festivals

  • Pottery


  1. Sports and Physical Discipline


Sports are always a good addition to a college application. Being part of a sports team shows your child can follow instructions, work in a team, and have stamina. However, it’s important to highlight these points in addition to their sports prowess.


  • Football

  • Basketball

  • Soccer

  • Lacrosse

  • Field Hockey

  • Hockey

  • Cheerleading

  • Track

  • Swimming

  • Volleyball

  • Tennis

  • Badminton

  • Ultimate frisbee

  • Martial arts

  • Cross-country running

  • Snowboarding

  • Skiing

  • Baseball

  • Softball

  • JROTC (technically not a sport but physically intensive)


  1. Volunteering and Community Involvement


Volunteering doesn’t just show your child in a good light; it also shows that they pay attention to the world around them. Taking the initiative to improve their community shows passion and kindness. Depending on the activities, it can also show your child’s personal interests.


  • Animal shelter

  • Food pantry

  • Homeless shelter

  • Hospitals

  • Nursing homes

  • Environmental clean-up initiatives

  • Campaigning for local politicians

  • Interning for local politicians

  • Assisting local nonprofits

  • Mentoring children

  • Food bank

  • Participating in fundraising


  1. Hobbies That Show Personality


To highlight your child’s personality, include their hobbies, even if they don’t seem traditionally “useful.” Passion always stands out on applications.


  • Book club

  • Chess

  • Making YouTube videos

  • Creating a podcast

  • Creating a business

  • Developing games

  • 3D printing

  • Website design

  • Inventing things

  • Bird watching

  • Gardening

  • Dungeons and Dragons

  • Fashion design

  • Learning foreign languages

  • Exploring different cultures

  • Make-up artist

  • Puzzles

  • Cooking

Young friends taking a break between college classes

What Colleges Admissions Officers Look for in Extracurriculars


There are many different reasons it’s suggested that children highlight their extracurriculars on their college applications. It showcases various aspects of their characters:


Commitment


A common mistake high school students make is joining a bunch of different extracurriculars they think colleges will want to see—especially in the last two years of high school. However, it’s quality, not quantity.


Colleges want to see commitment. The extracurriculars your child has been in the longest should be at the top of their list. Colleges want to see passion and dedication, and they can see that through how long your child has been part of a club, team, or group.


Personality Traits


Remember that college admissions see hundreds, if not thousands, of applications every year. They tend to see the same things: high GPA, volunteering, and extracurricular activities. These things no longer hold the same value as they once did.


To best highlight your child’s extracurricular activities, your child needs to showcase their personality through their extracurricular activities. Your child should explain why they joined and stayed with their team or activity.


A Story


While there tends not to be a lot of space in a college application, your child needs to balance providing information and telling a story. Again, remember that admissions sees a lot of submissions, so to stand out, you need to entertain them.


When discussing extracurricular activities, tell a story. Did your child volunteer at an animal shelter because they love animals and discovered their love of veterinary medicine? Did being a captain of their football team help your child realize they want to help lead people to greatness?


This helps admission officers identify positive patterns and personality traits and see your child in a more well-rounded light.


Showcase the Student, Not Their Accomplishments


College admissions want to choose the best students possible, and sometimes accomplishments aren’t enough—especially if multiple students have the same achievements. Instead, focus on highlighting all the wonderful qualities of your child as a person.


Showcase their passions, their curiosity, their dedication to the things that matter to them. That’s what’s going to stand out from the rest. InAmerica International can help them create a college application and essay that not only feels authentic but also catches attention.


Between our firsthand experience in the admissions process and our network of educational advisors, we can help set your child up for success. We can even help them plan ahead, even when college is years away.


 
 
 
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