After School Extracurricular Activities Ideas

Hi everyone! I'm trying to boost my college application and was wondering if anyone could suggest any unique after school extracurricular activities that I could try out. What have you guys done that might look good to admissions officers?

Hello! It's great that you're looking for unique extracurricular activities to enhance your college application. Here are some ideas that you could consider:

1. Start a club or organization: If your school doesn't have a club centered around a topic you're passionate about, consider starting one yourself, as doing so demonstrates initiative, leadership, and a deep interest in your chosen subject.

2. Volunteer locally: Look for opportunities to volunteer in your community, such as at food banks, animal shelters, or tutoring younger students. Local involvement not only shows commitment to your area but also helps develop skills like teamwork and empathy.

3. Develop a creative project: If you have a creative talent (writing, photography, art, music, etc.), use it to develop a project that contributes positively to your community or showcases your perspective. Examples include creating a blog, hosting an art exhibition, or composing a musical piece.

4. Engage in research: If there's a subject you're particularly interested in, look for opportunities to conduct research or collaborate on research projects with local universities, organizations, or businesses. Getting involved with research can help demonstrate your intellectual curiosity and commitment to applying your classroom learning to the real world.

5. Participate in competitions: Competing in academic or skill-based competitions (math olympiads, science fairs, debate tournaments, etc.) showcases your abilities and dedication to your interests.

6. Learn a new skill or language: Pursuing knowledge in an area outside of your typical school subjects can be an impressive addition to your application. Examples include learning a new language, taking up a new instrument, or exploring a new technology or computer programming language.

7. Get involved in local politics or advocacy: Engaging with local government, campaigns, or organizations shows a commitment to addressing community issues and can develop your leadership and communication skills.

If you want perhaps the most comprehensive list out there of specific extracurricular ideas, check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which lists over 900 options that you might find attractive: https://blog.collegevine.com/your-complete-list-of-extracurricular-activities/

Remember, though, it's important to focus on quality instead of quantity when it comes to extracurricular activities – choose a few that you're genuinely interested in, and put effort into making a real impact, rather than trying to pursue all 900! Admissions officers are more likely to respond positively to activities that demonstrate your passion, commitment, and personal growth than they are to a long list of involvements that haven't been meaningful to you. Good luck in your search!