Hey everyone, I'm a newbie here. I want to get more involved in school but I'm not really sure which extracurriculars to join. Are there some that look particularly good on a college app? I'm interested in a lot, just don't know where to start!
Welcome! It's great to see students wanting to get more involved, it certainly adds depth to your academic experience and college application! Remember, the importance isn't necessarily in the type of activities, but in the level of involvement, passion, and accomplishment you display in them.
To start, consider exploring the extracurriculars related to your academic interests or potential career goals. Interested in medicine? You might want to join HOSA. Love politics? Try Model UN or the debate team.
Extracurriculars are often categorized into four tiers, ranging from general membership in a club (Tier 4) to stellar achievements at a national or international level (Tier 1). Remember, it's the depth of your involvement that matters more than the quantity of activities.
Once you join an activity, try to carve a niche for yourself. If you're part of a club, aim towards leadership roles and work on solid projects that have tangible results. If it's a sport or creative activity, push yourself towards significant accomplishments.
Lastly, the most important extracurricular is the one you are passionate about. Genuine interest and dedication will show through your application, and colleges value that a lot. For example, if you love reading, creating a community reading club not only demonstrates initiative, but also gives you, in this scenario, more validity as a potential English or Literature major.
So, find something that not only aligns with your interests but one where you also foresee yourself reaching substantial involvement and success.
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