Best High School Clubs for College Applications?

I'm a junior and want to make sure I'm joining the right clubs to boost my college applications. What are some of the best clubs or extracurriculars to join in high school that colleges look for?

When it comes to extracurricular activities or high school clubs, it's not usually about joining the "best" or "most impressive" ones, per se. Rather, colleges are more interested in seeing your genuine passion, commitment, and leadership in the activities you pursue. The key factor is the depth of your involvement and your achievements in those clubs or activities, rather than the type of club or activity itself.

That being said, let's break down activities into the 4-tiers framework:

Tier 1 activities are rare and demonstrate exceptional leadership or achievement. An example would be if you started a successful non-profit or if you achieved national-level recognition in an activity.

Tier 2 activities demonstrate high levels of achievement and leadership but are a bit more common. These might include being the president of your student government, a captain of a varsity sports team, or making a state-level orchestra.

Tier 3 activities are those where you've achieved leadership positions or recognition within your school or local community, but not at the state or national level.

Tier 4 activities might include general membership in a club, local volunteering, or research.

If you're interested in becoming a standout applicant, aiming for Tier 1 or Tier 2 activities related to your intended major or field of interest could provide the biggest boost. However, any form of consistent and dedicated involvement, preferably with a leadership role, in any club will be beneficial to your application.

Lastly, remember that passion and dedication trump the actual club. If you truly love chess and have been the Chess Club President for three years, this is far more valuable than joining the debate team for a year just because you've heard it looks good on applications.