Extra Curricular Activities: Which ones should I choose?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior tryna figure out which extracurriculars to focus on. I've been involved in a bunch of clubs but honestly, I feel a little bit stretched thin. How do I decide which extracurriculars are best for me and will look good on my college applications?

When deciding on extracurricular activities to focus on, it's crucial to prioritize quality over quantity. Colleges value seeing that applicants are genuinely passionate about their activities and have demonstrated commitment, impact, and leadership. Here are some steps to help you determine which extracurriculars to prioritize:

1. Reflect on your interests: Think about the activities you genuinely enjoy and find fulfilling. Colleges want to see students who are passionate about their interests, so choose the ones that resonate with you the most.

2. Evaluate your impact and growth: Consider the activities where you've had a significant impact or where you've grown over time. If you've held leadership positions or made a demonstrable difference, that's a positive sign.

3. Identify your "spike": A "spike" refers to a highly-developed specialty or area of expertise that sets you apart from even other talented applicants. Consider what unique skills, talents, or passions you might have and focus on extracurriculars that align with or emphasize your spike.

4. Assess the tier of your activities: Colleges judge extracurriculars using the 4 Tiers of Extracurriculars (from Tier 1 being the most exceptional to Tier 4 being the most common). Aim to have a balanced profile that includes a mix of tiers, with a focus on Tier 1 and Tier 2 activities. You can read a more detailed breakdown of how extracurricular tiers work on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/breaking-down-the-4-tiers-of-extracurricular-activities

5. Fit with your long-term goals and intended major: Align your extracurriculars with your career aspirations and intended major, if possible. Demonstrating a coherent and focused academic and extracurricular profile generally strengthens your application.

Once you've assessed your extracurriculars based on these criteria, you should have a better idea of which ones to focus on. You're smart to be evaluating your involvements thoughtfully, as it's better to excel in a few selected activities than to spread yourself too thin across many. Good luck!