What extracurricular activities do college admissions look for?

By Brad Nakase, Attorney

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When it comes to how to get into top tier colleges and universities, one of the key elements is understanding what do colleges look for in their applicants. Top universities value extracurricular activities that show depth, passion, and leadership, which is often more critical than the specific type of activity chosen. For students seeking college application help on how to get into college, it’s crucial to focus on activities that allow them to demonstrate these qualities.

  1. Leadership Roles in Clubs or Organizations
    Taking on leadership roles in student government or clubs is a great way to show schools what do colleges look for in candidates: responsibility, initiative, and the ability to make an impact. This is particularly helpful for those striving to learn how to get into a good college by standing out through real experiences of making positive changes in their community.
  2. Academic Competitions and Subject-Specific Clubs
    Participating in academic competitions such as Science Olympiad or joining a debate team helps demonstrate an applicant’s specific academic interests and skill sets, aligning with the expectations of how to get into top tier colleges and universities. These activities serve as proof of intellectual passion, making them appealing elements for anyone aiming for how to get into a good college.
  3. Arts and Performance
    Being involved in music, theater, or dance displays creativity and dedication—traits that are part of what do colleges look for in well-rounded applicants. For those seeking college application help, showcasing your talent through performances and competitions can effectively convey your enthusiasm and commitment to your craft, offering a path on how to get into college.
  4. Community Service and Volunteering
    Universities look for students who contribute to their communities. Consistent volunteering or founding service initiatives are excellent demonstrations of empathy, leadership, and dedication—characteristics essential for how to get into top tier colleges and universities. This type of community involvement is also what sets applicants apart in their efforts to figure out how to get into a good college.
  5. Athletics
    Participation in sports shows teamwork, discipline, and perseverance—qualities often highlighted when discussing how to get into a good college. Colleges highly value students who demonstrate both athletic talent and leadership, especially for those competing at the varsity level.
  6. Research and Academic Enrichment
    Engaging in research projects, particularly at universities, is one of the key elements in how to get into top tier colleges and universities. It shows a genuine curiosity and dedication to academic exploration. For those needing college application help on how to get into college, focusing on research and participation in prestigious summer programs can set you apart.
  7. Internships and Work Experience
    Internships or part-time jobs, especially those aligned with a future field of study, are often part of what do colleges look for in applicants. Gaining hands-on experience demonstrates an interest in real-world applications and highlights the student’s initiative in learning how to get into a good college.
  8. Entrepreneurship and Projects
    If you’re interested in how to get into college in a unique way, consider launching a business or developing personal projects. These activities are valued by universities for showcasing creativity, problem-solving skills, and leadership—qualities essential for how to get into top tier colleges and universities.
  9. Publications and Writing
    Writing for the school newspaper, literary magazine, or having work published can show dedication to intellectual pursuits, helping students understand how to get into a good college by highlighting these contributions in their application.
  10. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
    Robotics teams, coding competitions, and hackathons provide a strong basis for those wondering how to get into top tier colleges and universities with a STEM focus. They provide evidence of both technical skills and collaborative abilities, which is a significant part of what do colleges look for in prospective STEM majors.
  11. Cultural and Language Activities
    Participating in cultural clubs or foreign language competitions can demonstrate both proficiency and cultural appreciation, which are qualities colleges favor. Understanding how to get into a good college means showing interest in diversity and global perspectives.
  12. Environmental and Sustainability Initiatives
    Showing dedication to environmental projects aligns well with what do colleges look for in terms of social responsibility and leadership—attributes beneficial in determining how to get into top tier colleges and universities. Leading green initiatives such as school gardens or recycling programs also highlights a sense of initiative.
  13. Volunteering in a Hospital or Health Field
    For those seeking college application help to apply to pre-med programs, volunteering in hospitals or achieving EMT certification can be impactful ways to understand how to get into a good college focused on health sciences.
  14. Specialized Skills or Hobbies
    Unique hobbies such as flying a plane, chess, or digital art can be distinguishing features that are valued by admissions teams when determining how to get into top tier colleges and universities. These hobbies help demonstrate a passion that sets students apart.
  15. National or International Experience
    Cultural exchange or travel experiences can add a valuable global perspective to applications. Understanding how to get into college can mean highlighting such unique experiences to create a comprehensive, culturally rich profile that top universities value.

Ultimately, for those seeking college application help, the key to how to get into a good college lies in pursuing activities that showcase depth, passion, leadership, and commitment. Learning what do colleges look for helps shape a profile that reflects significant personal growth and meaningful contributions, which are essential for how to get into top tier colleges and universities.

Have a quick question? We answered nearly 2000 FAQs.

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