Extracurricular or not?

Hey, y'all! I was wondering if any of you know which activities typically aren't counted as extracurriculars for college applications? I want to make sure I'm focusing my energy on the right things. Thanks!

Hi there! Extracurriculars are generally activities that occur outside of the regular school curriculum, but not all activities are equal in the eyes of college admissions. Some activities may not be considered as valuable as others, so it's great that you're looking for guidance.

Activities typically not counted or that carry less weight as extracurriculars include:

1. Routine household chores: While these are important tasks, they don't demonstrate unique skills or accomplishments.

2. Religious activities focused solely on attending services: Regular attendance or participation in religious education may not stand out unless you're in a leadership or community outreach role.

3. Non-academic hobbies: Hobbies like playing video games or watching TV won't show significant achievement. However, if your hobby leads to an accomplishment, like starting a YouTube channel or creating a game, it can become a strong extracurricular.

4. Casual group memberships: Just being a member of a club without active participation or leadership is likely to carry little weight in the grand scheme of admissions.

Focus on activities that align with your interests and can demonstrate accomplishments, leadership, or an impact you've made. Remember, quality over quantity is key. Having fewer extracurriculars with a deeper involvement will ultimately be more beneficial to your application than simply listing multiple superficial activities. Good luck, and I hope this helps you better understand which activities to focus on!