Is answering surveys an extracurricular activity?

Answered

While it is true that answering or completely surveys are invaluable to researchers gathering data as inputs for their research projects whether it's market research, or pharma research, or something else, your role as a participant on the other end of the telephone call, zoom call or online survey does not qualify as an extracurricular activity. May I ask a question? Why do you do it? Is it for money? If you are getting paid like $25 or $50 per survey, and you can track how much you have made from doing surveys, I would consider this a job. And a job is an extracurricular activity.

Now students who do their own research and conduct surveys and data collection and compile that data into analysis for their research project are doing something academic. Most people would see that as evidence of their intellectual vitality/curiosity. But I can't conflate being a participant in a survey involving hundreds or thousands of others just like you in the same category.

Therefore if you are getting paid and you need the money, then this activity is a job.

If you are not getting paid, then this activity is not an EC you should put down on your college application.

Hope that is helpful.