Best High School Activities for College Applications?

I'm planning my extracurricular activities for the rest of high school. What activities or clubs do colleges look for that might strengthen my application the most?

When thinking about extracurricular activities, the key is to focus on depth instead of breadth. Colleges appreciate students who demonstrate a genuine interest and commitment to few activities, striving to achieve personal growth and leadership roles, instead of those who join a large number of clubs only to create a laundry list of memberships.

One very impactful way of selecting extracurriculars is aligning them with your intended major or future career path. For example, if you want to go into journalism, then being a part of your school newspaper or an editor for a local youth magazine could demonstrate your deep interest in that area.

However, it's not solely about the activity itself but also about your achievements within that activity. Taking on leadership roles or creating a significant impact within your chosen extracurriculars is what makes them stand out.

Colleges judge extracurriculars using a system called the 4 Tiers of Extracurriculars:

- Tier 1 activities show exceptional achievement or leadership at the national or international level.

- Tier 2 activities display high levels of achievement and leadership.

- Tier 3 activities don't stand out as specifically as Tier 1 or 2, but they still highlight your interests.

- Tier 4 activities are the most common and are often seen by admissions committees.

Remember, what colleges value most is your passion, dedication, and the impact you've made in your chosen activities. Rather than looking for specific clubs or activities, they are more interested in seeing your growth, the impact you've made, and what that says about you as a potential student.

Here's an example: Let's say you're part of your high school's Model United Nations club, which is a Tier 4 activity. If you rise to a leadership role, start initiatives that increase membership, or win awards at conferences, that then becomes a Tier 2 or even a Tier 1 activity.

Take time to explore activities that genuinely interest you, then apply your energy and passion to make a difference within those activities. This is what will make your application stand out.