Hey there! I'm a junior in high school currently looking at more clubs to join. I was wondering, what types of extracurriculars do colleges tend to value the most in their applicants?
When considering what types of extracurricular activities to pursue, it's important to know that colleges aren't necessarily looking for any one type of activity. They're rather interested in how you have engaged with your activities, the commitment you've shown, and how you've grown and developed leadership and other skills in the process.
That said, colleges do use a system to evaluate the impact and depth of your extracurricular activities called the Four Tiers of Extracurriculars. Let's briefly go through these:
- Tier 1 activities are rare and show exceptional achievement or leadership at the national or international level, such as winning a national art award or a top placement in an International Math Olympiad. These types of accomplishments really stand out.
- Tier 2 extracurriculars are a bit more common but still showcase high levels of achievement and leadership. Being student body president or playing in a state orchestra, for instance, fit here.
- Tier 3 activities don't have the high-end distinction of Tier 1 and 2, but they still emphasize your interests and involvement. Captaincy of a sports team or a leadership role in a club fits in this tier.
- Tier 4 activities, the most common, include general membership in clubs or sports teams or general volunteering.
While colleges certainly value the higher tier activities due to their rarity and the high levels of commitment and achievement they display, it's also essential to pursue activities that genuinely interest you. No matter the category, depth and commitment to a few activities often are more meaningful than participation in many superficial ones.
Ultimately, staying authentic to your passions and interests will lead to more compelling and engaging extracurricular profiles and thus resonate more strongly with admissions officers.
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