Extracurriculars that impress colleges?

I'm a junior trying to plan out the rest of my extracurricular activities. What kinds of jobs or volunteer positions should I be looking for that might look good on college applications? Any advice is appreciated!

To plan out the rest of your extracurricular activities, it's important to understand how colleges evaluate them. Colleges typically judge extracurriculars using a framework called the 4 Tiers of Extracurriculars:

1. Tier 1: Rare activities demonstrating exceptional achievement or leadership at the national or international level.

2. Tier 2: Activities showcasing high levels of achievement and leadership but not as rare as Tier 1.

3. Tier 3: Activities reflecting student's interests but lacking Tier 1 and 2 distinction.

4. Tier 4: Most common activities found in applications.

Keep in mind, the most impressive extracurriculars to colleges are those that show your dedication, leadership, and significant achievements.

Here are some tips for choosing activities that will elevate your college application:

1. Pursue your passions: Identify what genuinely interests you and invest time in developing those areas. Colleges prefer students who are deeply engaged in a few areas rather than superficially involved in many.

2. Strive for leadership roles: Colleges value applicants who have demonstrated leadership and impact in their extracurriculars. Seek out roles like student body president, club officer, or team captain, or try to launch an initiative that makes a positive change in your community.

3. Aim for high achievement: Pursue awards, competitions, or accomplishments that showcase your talents and skills. Examples include national science competitions, prestigious art awards, or success in debate tournaments.

4. Seek out special opportunities: Look for unique programs or extracurriculars in your field of interest. Volunteer positions, internships, or research opportunities for high school students can all help to set you apart from the competition.

5. Focus on depth and commitment: It's better to have a few activities that you're consistently involved in over a long period of time rather than a long list of short-lived involvements. This demonstrates your dedication and commitment to the activities you're passionate about.