How many extracurricular activities do colleges generally expect?

Hey there! Just wondering how many extracurricular activities colleges typically expect from their applicants. I don't want to spread myself too thin, but I want to be involved enough. Any advice would be great! Thanks!

Hey! It's great that you're thinking about balancing your extracurricular involvement. While the number of extracurricular activities can vary depending on the college and the applicant, it's generally a good idea to aim for 8-10 total activities across your high school career. Keep in mind, however, that many of these activities might be seasonal, like sports or clubs that meet only part of the year.

What's more important than the quantity of your extracurriculars is the quality of your involvement and the impact you have in those activities. Colleges are more interested in seeing dedication, growth, and leadership within a few key areas that genuinely interest you, rather than a long list of activities that you don't seem passionate about.

Additionally, it's helpful for your application if you have a "spike" or a highly-developed specialty in a certain field. This demonstrates your expertise and potential for continued success, which makes you appealing to colleges.

So, focus on finding extracurricular activities that align with your interests and passions, and strive for depth in your involvement. It's better to be highly engaged in a few activities than to be superficially involved in many.