For many high school students and parents, the college admissions process can feel like navigating a maze filled with unwritten rules, hidden criteria, and endless applications.
One of the most common questions we hear at the College Benefits Research Group (CBRG) is: Are extracurricular activities really important for college? The short answer: yes.
But it’s how you approach them that truly makes the difference.
Extracurricular activities are more than just resume builders. They’re a powerful way to demonstrate who you are beyond grades and test scores.
They can showcase your leadership, commitment, creativity, and character—qualities that college admissions officers actively seek.
In this post, we’ll break down exactly why extracurriculars matter, how to choose the right ones, and how they can be leveraged strategically during your college planning journey.
What qualifies as an extracurricular activity?
Before diving into strategy, it’s important to define what counts as an extracurricular. The term refers to any organized activity a student participates in outside of the standard academic curriculum. While most people think of sports or clubs, extracurriculars include a wide range of pursuits:
School-based clubs
Activities like debate, robotics, or art club allow students to explore interests, develop teamwork skills, and take on leadership roles within their school community.
Athletics
Participating in varsity or club sports builds discipline, collaboration, and time management. It also provides opportunities to demonstrate commitment over time.
Student government
Serving in student government showcases leadership, initiative, and a desire to shape your school environment—all qualities colleges value highly.
Music, theater, or visual arts
Creative pursuits help students express themselves and often require dedication through practice and performance. They demonstrate well-roundedness and artistic talent.
Volunteering or community service
Giving back to the community reflects compassion, social awareness, and responsibility. Many colleges and scholarships value consistent service work.
Part-time jobs or internships
Work experience shows maturity, work ethic, and real-world responsibility. Internships can also align with future academic or career goals.
Family responsibilities
Taking care of siblings or helping with household duties can be just as meaningful. Colleges recognize and respect students who manage significant personal responsibilities.
Independent projects
Starting a blog, building an app, or launching a small business highlights initiative, creativity, and a proactive mindset—traits that stand out on applications.
Colleges don’t require any one “type” of activity, but they do value meaningful engagement. This aligns with our guidance on evaluating extracurricular involvement, where we stress that the quality of your involvement matters far more than the quantity.
Why colleges care about extracurriculars
In today’s competitive admissions landscape, grades and test scores aren’t enough to tell a student’s whole story. That’s why many colleges use a holistic review process. Extracurricular activities offer admissions officers valuable insights into how a student spends their time, what they care about, and what kind of community member they might be.
According to a report from Inside Higher Ed, the rise of test-optional admissions has only increased the weight of other application elements—including extracurriculars. Without standardized test scores to rely on, colleges place more emphasis on essays, recommendations, and activity lists.
Through extracurriculars, colleges can assess:
Leadership
Did the student take initiative or hold a position of responsibility? Leadership roles indicate a student’s ability to guide others, influence outcomes, and take ownership of a goal or organization.
Commitment
How long did they stay involved? Colleges value consistency and dedication, which show that a student follows through and grows with their responsibilities over time.
Impact
Did their involvement make a difference in their community? Whether through organizing events, leading initiatives, or mentoring peers, meaningful impact shows that a student contributes to something bigger than themselves.
Passion
Does this activity reflect a deep personal interest or goal? Passion reveals authenticity and self-motivation—traits that colleges look for in students who will engage deeply with their campus communities.
Depth vs. breadth: What matters more?
One of the most common misconceptions is that students need to be involved in a dozen different activities to impress colleges. In reality, depth of involvement is far more meaningful than breadth.
Consider these two examples:
Student A joins 10 different clubs but doesn’t hold leadership roles or show consistent engagement.
Student B participates in 2 activities over four years, becomes a team captain and club president, and starts a community service initiative related to one of them.
Colleges are more impressed by Student B. The key is to show a sustained commitment and growing responsibility over time. At CBRG, we often advise students to prioritize activities where they can develop their skills, take on leadership roles, or make a measurable impact.
Tip: Focus on 2-4 core activities that you can engage with deeply, and track your growth within them. This will not only make your application stand out, but it will also make writing your essays and preparing for interviews much easier.
How to strategically use extracurriculars in your application
Extracurriculars can significantly enhance your application if presented thoughtfully. Here’s how:
1. Build an activities resume
A well-organized activities resume provides a comprehensive snapshot of your high school experience beyond academics. It helps admissions officers quickly understand how you’ve spent your time and what you’ve achieved outside the classroom.
To build an effective activities resume, be sure to include the following details for each entry:
- Role/title: Clearly state your position, such as “Club President,” “Volunteer Coordinator,” or “Varsity Team Member.”
- Organization name: List the school club, nonprofit, employer, or group with which you were involved.
- Dates of involvement: Include start and end months/years to show how long you participated.
- Hours per week: Provide a consistent estimate to reflect your level of commitment.
- Key accomplishments or responsibilities: Summarize your contributions, leadership roles, or any awards and recognitions you received.
This resume isn’t just for college applications—it can also be useful for scholarship submissions, job interviews, or internships. Presenting your activities in a structured and intentional format highlights your dedication, growth, and time management skills.
2. Integrate into essays
Colleges want to understand why you do what you do. Use your personal statement or supplemental essays to explore the meaning behind your activities and how they’ve shaped your personal journey.
Here are a few ways to thoughtfully incorporate extracurriculars into your essays:
- Tell a story: Choose one meaningful activity and describe a moment or experience that captures its impact on you.
- Explain the why: Don’t just list what you did—explain what motivated you to get involved.
- Show growth: Reflect on how your role evolved over time or what lessons you carried forward.
- Connect to your goals: Link the activity to your academic or career aspirations to show intentionality.
Maybe a volunteer role sparked an interest in public policy, or a part-time job taught you time management and resilience. These connections make your essay memorable and meaningful.
CBRG offers guidance on crafting compelling college application essays that integrate extracurricular experiences into your narrative.
3. Be specific during interviews
If you have college interviews, be ready to talk about what you did, what you learned, and how the experience shaped your goals.
Here are a few ways to prepare:
- Describe your role: Clearly explain your position and responsibilities in the activity.
- Share key takeaways: Reflect on what skills you developed or lessons you learned.
- Connect to your goals: Highlight how the experience influenced your academic or career aspirations.
- Use specific examples: Share a memorable story or achievement that demonstrates your growth.
Practicing these points will help you present a compelling and authentic narrative during your interview.
The scholarship connection
Extracurricular activities don’t just matter for admissions—they’re also key to securing merit-based scholarships. Many private and institutional awards consider leadership, community service, and initiative as part of their selection criteria.
According to the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid office, students who exhibit sustained involvement in extracurricular activities may improve their eligibility for certain scholarships that prioritize leadership and service. These qualities often signal to scholarship committees that a student is likely to contribute meaningfully to a college campus and broader community.
Examples include:
- Community service scholarships (e.g., Prudential Spirit of Community Awards)
- Leadership awards (e.g., Coca-Cola Scholars Program)
- School-specific merit scholarships for well-rounded applicants
When you work with CBRG, we help identify the scholarships where your extracurricular background aligns best—and guide you through the application process.
Avoiding burnout: Balance and intention
More isn’t always better. In our planning advice for high school students preparing for college, we emphasize balance. Overloading your schedule can lead to burnout and diminish the joy of participation.
Here’s how to stay balanced:
- Choose activities you genuinely enjoy
- Limit yourself to a manageable number
- Schedule downtime and rest
- Don’t be afraid to drop something if it no longer serves your goals
Remember: colleges can spot inauthentic participation. Be intentional, and focus on what truly reflects your personality and values.
How CBRG guides families through this process
At CBRG, we specialize in helping families approach extracurriculars with purpose. Through personalized coaching and strategic planning, we:
- Identify each student’s strengths, interests, and long-term goals
- Recommend extracurricular activities that align with their unique college and career path
- Provide guidance on how to demonstrate leadership and meaningful impact
- Help students craft standout resumes and prepare compelling application materials
It’s all part of working with a college planning specialist who understands how to connect the dots between student interests and college expectations.
Your activities can tell your story
So, are extracurricular activities important for college? Absolutely. But not for the reasons many assume. It’s not about filling a checklist—it’s about telling your story, demonstrating growth, and showing colleges who you really are.
Strategically chosen and authentically pursued extracurriculars can be the difference between an average application and an exceptional one. With the right guidance, you can transform your activities into a narrative that resonates with admissions officers and scholarship committees alike.
If you’re unsure how to begin or want to refine your student’s plan, CBRG is here to help. Let us walk you through a proven process that leads to real opportunities—both in admissions and financial aid.