What clubs do colleges truly value?

Participating in extracurriculars is something I enjoy, plus it looks good for colleges. Wondering what kind of clubs most colleges are excited to see listed in the application?

Colleges look for depth and dedication in a student's extracurricular activities. It's not the name of the club that matters most, but what the student has been able to achieve and contribute.

As many colleges use the 4 Tiers of Extracurriculars for their evaluation, clubs that would fall into Tier 1 or Tier 2 are typically most impressive. Tier 1 activities show exceptional achievement at the national or international level, such as winning a nationwide competition. For example, if you were the president of your school's Science Olympiad team and led them to place in a national competition, this would be Tier 1.

Tier 2 typically includes high levels of achievement and leadership in school or local activities. Examples of Tier 2 activities may include being a leader in student government, playing a leading role in a drama production, or starting a club that consistently plans and executes significant projects.

Tier 3 and Tier 4 clubs are more common and don't typically stand out, but they're still important for showing your interests.

In general, colleges are looking for students who show passion, commitment, leadership, and impact in their activities. So regardless of the specific club you're in, you should focus on achieving significant milestones, going for leadership positions, and contributing meaningfully to the club's success.

Remember, the most important thing is to be genuinely interested and engaged in the activities you undertake. College admissions officers would rather see you deeply involved and committed to one or two activities that you care about, rather than mildly involved in a dozen clubs.