Tips on Choosing the Best Extracurricular Activities for College Admissions

College admissions committees look for more than just high GPAs and academic excellence in their applicants. Committee members also look for demonstrated dedication, passion, and sense of community in their future students. This is the reason that when you check out sample college admission essays, you’ll see that the well-crafted ones are those that are able to describe how the applicant manages to effectively balance academics and extracurricular activities. One question commonly asked by college applicants is which extracurricular activities would score the most points with admissions committees.

Truth be told, committee members do not look for specific extracurricular activities in applicants’ admissions essays. What they do look for is a certain focus, or field of interest, reflected in the applicant’s chosen organizations and clubs. Contrary to what most students think, simply joining tons of clubs and getting involved in numerous activities will not make them, or their admissions essay, stand out. Being a member in one too many organizations may even have the opposite effect. Because you’re dipping your toes on so many things, this may show lack of dedication and focus. To avoid this, join organizations and engage in school activities that you’re really interested in – whether it be music, sports, writing, theatre, etc.

Aim for leadership, don’t settle for membership

Between an editor-in-chief and columnist for a high school newspaper, the former will obviously score more points with committee members. This is because admissions committees want their students to not only have a sense of community, but also to have the ability to lead when the situation calls for it. As you’ll also see in sample college admission essays, the extracurricular activities you engaged in high school can serve as effective proof of your leadership and organizing skills. Use your admissions essay as a venue to describe in detail how you managed to organize an important event, and get the respect and commitment of your peers.

If you want to get a more concrete idea on how you can write about your extracurricular activities, you can scan the sample college admission essays available online.

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