How can I improve my extracurriculars?Answered
Hello! I am currently a sophomore who is planning on going into Clinical Psychology. I am big on sports, as I play basketball and tennis, help coach a basketball workout for little kids on the weekends, and am planning on coaching a parks and recreation team for the next two years. I am not in any clubs, but since they are finally starting back after covid I am planning on being in 3-4 next year. As someone who is aiming for competitive schools, I am trying to cover all my bases. Are these enough, and if not how could I improve them?
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2 answers
As other answers have mentioned, you should first and foremost get involved in extracurriculars that you are passionate about. Your goal with ECs should be to show colleges that you are both well rounded and have a "spike," or particular demonstrated interest. This CollegeVine blog post explains spikes further.
Since you are interested in Clinical Psychology, you could develop this into a spike by being deeply involved in 1-2 ECs relating to it. Beyond that, continuing to practice sports, especially your sports leadership activities, will make your EC list well rounded.
I recommend adding a few ECs on there which better the community - initiatives involving social justice, environmental justice, political activism, and solving equity gaps work particularly well. Make sure that you describe your involvement in each EC with specific detail, and choose ECs that fit into different aspects of who you are. No EC beyond casual hobbies should be random, or done for the sake of adding ECs to your list.
For more tips on your ECs, check out CollegeVine's treasure trove of blogs. I hope this helps!
Hey!
The sports you are part of is a really great start! It looks good that you play them and that you help coach in your free time! Keep working with the kids and yourself. If you want to play a sport in college spend more time on that to help build your recruitability, if not working with the kids might look better. It can also help you form great bonds or learn a lesson, which is always good to write an application essay about.
As you plan to join clubs in the future, make sure they are something you are passionate about. Don't join clubs just for the sake of joining clubs. Being an avid member is much more important than writing your name down. Go to any and all volunteer activities they offer. Volunteering both with and outside the clubs always looks good.
If there is a certain club you are really passionate about, trying running for a position. You might not be able to get President or Vice President if there are other people who are also passionate, but Secratary or Treasurer looks just as good on college applications.
You could also try to start a club, if you have the time and your school doesn't offer anything similar. This would look very good on an application, but you shouldn't spread yourself too thin!
Hope this helps and feel free to ask any questions!
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