Do colleges care about outside school activities?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I've been involved in a bunch of activities outside of school. I'm wondering if colleges look at these just as much as they consider school clubs and sports? Thanks in advance!

Absolutely! Colleges definitely care about your involvement in outside-of-school activities. In fact, they often appreciate it because it demonstrates your interest and dedication to a particular area or field that goes beyond just participating in school-affiliated extracurriculars. This helps present you as a well-rounded and engaged individual who is not limited to their school environment.

When it comes to evaluating extracurricular activities, college admissions committees use the "Four Tiers of Extracurriculars" to assess your achievements and level of involvement. The key here is to focus on quality, rather than quantity. Engaging in a few activities where you show significant commitment, leadership, and achievement can be more impactful than participating in a large number of less meaningful activities. To learn more about these tiers, click here: https://blog.collegevine.com/breaking-down-the-4-tiers-of-extracurricular-activities

It is important to mention these activities on your application and describe what you have accomplished or learned from them. Additionally, if you have any accomplishments or recognitions related to those outside activities, be sure to mention them as well – this helps showcase your achievements and dedication in a particular area.

In sum, colleges certainly value your outside-of-school activities and will consider them when evaluating your application. Demonstrating commitment, leadership, and achievements in these activities can further strengthen your application and help you stand out from other applicants. Good luck!