Best Extracurriculars for College (and How to Choose the Right Ones for You)

Best Extracurriculars for College Applications

When students start thinking about what looks good on college applications, one question almost always comes up early: What are the best extracurriculars for college? The truth is, there isn’t a single “right” answer. However, when it comes to choosing good extracurriculars for college, a little strategy can go a long way in building an application that actually boosts your admissions odds.

Colleges are not just looking for a long activities list filled with random clubs in high school. They want to understand who you are and what you care enough about to commit to outside of class. Therefore, understanding what looks good on college applications starts with knowing why extracurriculars matter and how the best extracurriculars for college fit into your overall narrative.

In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about choosing the best extracurriculars for college, including:

• How colleges define and evaluate extracurricular activities
• Why extracurricular involvement matters in admissions decisions and career exploration
• The best extracurriculars for college and examples of extracurricular activities to add to your activities list
• How to choose the best extracurriculars for college that align with your goals and interests
• Ways to make the most of school clubs, leadership roles, and long-term commitments
• Practical guidance to help students choose the best extracurriculars for college at different points in high school

Whether you are just starting to explore clubs in high school, need examples of extracurricular activities, or thinking about how your current involvement fits into the bigger picture, this guide is for you. By the end, you’ll know how to build a meaningful, intentional extracurricular path that reflects who you are and supports your future goals.

What are the best extracurriculars for college?

When students ask about the best extracurriculars for college, they often assume there’s an aspirational activities list out there that will automatically impress admissions officers. In reality, “best” does not mean the same thing for every student. The best extracurriculars for college sit at the intersection of personal fit and college appeal. 

From an admissions perspective, good extracurriculars for college are those that show commitment, initiative, and growth over time. From a student perspective, the best extracurriculars for college are activities that feel meaningful and teach you something. Both are equally important.

What truly makes these examples of the best extracurriculars for college compelling is not the title itself, but the impact behind it. Colleges want to see how students grew, what problems they helped solve, and how their responsibilities increased over time. 

Why Extracurriculars Matter to Colleges

Selecting good extracurriculars for college matters because colleges in the US practice holistic admissions. Basically, that means they look at the whole picture of who a student is and what they bring to the table. Grades and test scores tell colleges how well a student performs academically. Extracurricular activities, on the other hand, help admissions officers understand a student’s skills and character. 

• Leadership roles in school clubs show responsibility and influence.
• Team-based activities highlight collaboration and communication.
• Creative pursuits such as art, music, or writing reflect originality and self-expression. 
• Initiatives, competitions, and independent projects often demonstrate problem-solving, curiosity, and initiative.

Together, these experiences give colleges a more complete picture of a student’s character and potential.

Colleges also pay attention to patterns within a student’s activities list. A series of related experiences can suggest developing interests or early career exploration. For example, a student interested in healthcare might combine science clubs and volunteer work with a health studies passion project or an internship in a medical setting. This kind of alignment can strengthen an application by showing intentionality and direction.

While consistency is important when selecting the best extracurriculars for college, colleges do not expect every extracurricular to match a student’s academic focus. In fact, having a diversity of interests can even strengthen an application. Participating in a range of school clubs, service organizations, athletics, or creative outlets shows balance, adaptability, and a willingness to explore new areas.

Types of Extracurriculars That Colleges Value

When selecting good extracurriculars for college, colleges recognize that students have different interests, resources, and opportunities. Therefore, they do not expect every applicant to have the same activities list. Instead, admissions officers look for patterns of engagement across several broad categories. 

Looking at examples of extracurricular activities within these categories can help students build an activities list that reflects both personal interests and what looks good on college applications.

Types of Impressive Extracurricular

Academic and Intellectual Activities

Academic and intellectual extracurriculars highlight curiosity, discipline, and a willingness to challenge oneself outside the classroom. These may include school clubs focused on specific subjects, academic competitions, independent research, or long-term projects tied to learning, for example. 

Leadership and Initiative

Leadership-based extracurricular activities show how students influence others and take responsibility. Examples of extracurricular activities can include student government, officer roles in school clubs, captains of athletic teams, or leadership within community organizations. 

Community Engagement and Service

Community-focused extracurricular activities reflect empathy, responsibility, and commitment to others. Volunteering, tutoring, mentoring, and social activism all fall into this category. Colleges are especially interested in sustained involvement rather than one-time service hours.

Creative and Personal Expression

Creative extracurriculars allow students to showcase originality, voice, and persistence. These activities might include visual arts, music, theater, writing, film, coding, or an independent creative passion project. What matters most is dedication over time and a clear body of work. 

Work Experience and Practical Learning

Work-based extracurricular activities demonstrate maturity, responsibility, and real-world skills. Examples of extracurricular activities include part-time jobs and entrepreneurial ventures. Apprenticeships and internships for high school students also fit into this category.

The bottom line? The best extracurriculars for college can be anything — what really counts is how much you invest in them.

25 High School Extracurricular Ideas for College Applicants

If you’re looking for examples of extracurricular activities that will help you make a lasting impression, it helps to hear directly from students who have successfully gone through the college application process. 

The activities below were shared by CollegeAdvisor admissions experts in response to the question: “What is one extracurricular that helped you stand out in the college applications process?”

Examples of Extracurricular Activities That Helped Students Stand Out

1. “Music — I competed in a few competitions and participated in national orchestras.” – Grant R., Harvard University

2. “Lighting Design for theater.” – Finn B., Harvard University

3. “Model UN — I was my school’s Secretary-General, and I won several awards at local conferences. I also attended a MUN summer camp.” – Elinor M., Brown University

4. “I was part of my junior town council, which sparked my interest in public service and community-based action.” – Lara V.R., Harvard University

5. “I co-founded a mock trial team at my high school.” – Caroline M., Notre Dame University

6. “I think that being co-captain of the swim team helped me stand out because I was part of the first swim team at my school.” – Zoe E., University of California – Berkeley

7. “Spirit Chair of the Athletic Council on Leadership – I planned pep assemblies, Special Olympics Events, fundraisers etc.” – Kaitlin L., University of California – Berkeley

8. “My volunteer work and four years of lab-based research.” – Rashmi B., Vanderbilt University

9. “I led my school’s Math Team and Science Olympiad, and I won many awards in both.” – Lily X., Washington University in St. Louis

10. “I was the president of the human rights club at my school, and we raised thousands of dollars for local causes.” – Alli H., Stanford University

11. “I think Russian class, as well as my interest in photography.” – Leonor W., Georgetown University

12. “Had a work-intensive leadership role as senior captain of Quiz Bowl/Knowledge Bowl team where organized trips and a whole invitational tournament at school.” – Daphne M., University of Chicago

13. “Starting my own student-run theatre company.” – Mariko R., Yale University

14. “Extensive research and physician shadowing.” – Marisa P., Yale University

15. “Debate — I was a member of the USA Debate Team, and individually, I was 2nd in the state.” – Arham H., University of Pennsylvania

16. “Research and working at a suicide hotline – I also did a cardio thoracic surgery internship.” – Katie C., Brown University

17. “I started a non-profit that held donation drives at schools, hospitals, and universities in the US and sent goods to missionary organizations across the world.” – Maria A.R., Harvard University

18. “Probably my performance on academic teams. Most notably, I got 1st Place in MA for the American Computer Science League.” – Austin B., Stanford University

19. “Being the owner and founder of the school coffee shop (i.e. starting a business).” – Bailee P., Brown University

20. “Biology Olympiad – I ranked top 12 in USA in biology, and finalists (top 20) have consistent admission success.” – Henry S., Stanford University

21. “The Community Service Council. It was a student-led body in my high school that worked to organize and coordinate service projects and opportunities.” – Kaveh B., Princeton University

22. “President of two clubs – National Art Honor Society and JETS (Science and Engineering competition club). I think the combination was unique.” – Phillip H., Massachusetts Institute of Technology

23. “I was heavily involved in HOSA, having grown in the club from both a leadership and accomplishment perspective.” – Gagan V., Duke University

24. “Tennis — USTA and Varsity player.” – Sumona H., Harvard University

25. “I pursued every theater and music opportunity offered to me through my school, did dance five days a week, and played classical viola in one of the most prestigious youth orchestras in my city.” – Genevieve L., Harvard University

This activities list highlights how different examples of extracurricular activities (school clubs, leadership roles, creative pursuits, work experiences) can become good extracurriculars for college. 

How to Choose the Right Extracurriculars

Choosing the right extracurricular activities can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re focused on what looks good on college applications. Our advice? Start with self-reflection, then explore your options, evaluate fit, and focus on making tangible contributions.

When selecting the best extracurriculars for college, start with self-reflection. Think about what subjects you enjoy, what problems you care about, and how you like to spend your free time. These answers can point toward school clubs, creative pursuits, service opportunities, or work-based experiences that feel natural rather than forced. 

Another key step in selecting the best extracurriculars for college is exploration, especially early in high school. So, don’t be afraid to try something new or different — there’s no pressure to commit! Some effective ways to explore good extracurriculars for college include:

• Attending interest meetings for different school clubs
• Joining short-term projects or committees
• Participating in summer programs, workshops, or camps
• Volunteering locally through schools, libraries, nonprofits, or community centers
• Researching internships for high school students or job shadowing opportunities

As you experiment, you’ll need to evaluate whether an activity is a good fit. Useful questions include: Do I enjoy this enough to stay involved? Are there opportunities to contribute beyond basic attendance? Is this helping me grow academically, personally, or professionally?

Lastly, when considering the best extracurriculars for college, prioritize those that offer tangible contributions. Examples of extracurricular activities that do this include organizing an event, leading a small project, competing in an academic or athletic setting, or creating something original, such as a publication, performance, or product. These experiences help strengthen an activities list by showing action and impact rather than passive participation.

Making the Most of Your Extracurriculars

Joining the best extracurriculars for college is only the starting point. After that, what makes good extracurriculars for college stand out is how students grow, contribute, and take initiative over time. 

Holding officer positions in school clubs is a great way to demonstrate leadership — but it’s not the only way. You could also mentor younger members, organize a fundraiser, or propose new projects and events. Alternatively, you could start a new club or develop a passion project of your own.

At the same time, be sure to track your involvement and achievements. Keeping a record of roles, time commitments, awards, competitions, publications, or community recognition helps show growth and measurable impact. 

Ultimately, your extracurricular experiences stand out when you contribute more than expected. Going beyond the basics transforms the best extracurriculars for college into meaningful experiences that support long-term college planning.

Tips for Freshman, Sophomores, and Juniors

During high school, extracurricular activities can play a different role depending on a student’s grade level. Consequently, as interests develop and responsibilities increase, students should adjust how they approach their involvement in the best extracurriculars for college to make the most of each year.

Best Extracurriculars for College – Final Thoughts

By and large, the best extracurriculars for college are not about prestige or checking boxes. It’s more important to choose extracurricular activities that fit your interests, commit to them over time, and make meaningful contributions. 

Colleges want to see growth, initiative, and impact, whether that comes from school clubs, leadership roles, a passion project, or internships for high school students. Thoughtful involvement also supports long-term college planning and early career exploration.Students do not have to figure this out alone. CollegeAdvisor works with students from the start, helping freshmen and sophomores plan meaningful extracurriculars, grow their skills, and craft a profile that shines when it matters most.

This article was written by Ashley Hollins. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.