As a student, you might think that your academic performance is the only criterion for seeking admission into the university  of your choice. However, it is only half true as, along with your grades, your extracurricular activities also play a crucial role in college applications.

The admissions committee is keen to understand what are your hobbies are and interests are apart from academics. They are always looking for well-rounded students with diverse experiences, and they find them by looking at their extracurriculars!

So now, the most critical question is, what are all the extracurriculars you need to add to your college applications? Don’t worry! We have got you covered. Check out this list of five essential extracurricular activities you must include on your college application to stand out among others!

Work Experience

Including a part-time job or summer internship in your college application works wonders for you! 

It helps establish your identity as a responsible individual who has already undertaken work experience in the professional world. Moreover, it implies that you have become financially independent at a young age.

There are various part-time jobs and internships available that you can take up to improve yourself. It provides you with many skills, such as customer service, time management, effective communication, etc. 

Besides, it helps  convince the admissions officers that you are a hard-working individual who will be a great addition to their campus! 

Creative Pursuits

If you have taken part in any creative activities in school like writing, playing an instrument, painting, dancing, singing, and many more, now is your chance to showcase them on your application and get considered for college.

The admissions departments often look for well-rounded students with a wide range of interests besides academics! 

Moreover, participating in these creative activities helps you gain many transferable skills, such as teamwork, collaboration, cooperation, attention to detail, etc., and impresses the admissions offices thoroughly

Travel

Contrary to popular belief, your travel experiences can also be listed as an extracurricular activity on your application. However, if you have only taken leisure trips with your family and friends, it is not the best idea to include it as your extracurricular!

Adding your travel experiences that serve a purpose will be a better idea. You can talk about the short course you took in the UK or how you volunteered for a cause in a foreign country. Besides, you can talk about your overall experience of meeting new people, learning a different language, and exploring a new culture!

Sports

 Active participation in sports at school, such as football, basketball, volleyball, etc., demonstrates that you possess a strong sense of dedication and are always ready to work hard to fulfil your goals!

It is well known that any athletic activity requires great effort and discipline. Moreover, it helps you learn to work in a team, which is an essential component of college life as there will be plenty of projects and activities that require working in a group.

Suppose you have experience working as a captain in one of your school’s sports teams or have won any athletic awards. In that case, you must mention this achievement in your application as it highlights your leadership abilities.

Volunteering

 Volunteering for a cause is a great way to both strengthen your college application and give back to the community! You can volunteer for anything from childcare, teaching, animal rescue, climate change, and more.

Volunteering and community service significantly develop your character and provide you with many skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, organisation and planning, etc. Furthermore, it lets the admissions offices know that you care about your surroundings and work towards making it a better place for everyone! 

As a result, it can work in your favour as the admissions department will prefer you over other candidates because you will most likely be contributing to the college community in ways other than just attending classes. 

Final Takeaway

 Well, you might have done a lot of extracurricular activities and are now wondering how many to add to your college application! You must understand that the admissions offices don’t look for quantity but quality.

 So, it is never about the specific number of extracurricular activities to add to your application; instead, it is about including the relevant ones! So focus on the extracurricular activities that align with your career goals, help demonstrate your skills and attributes, and reflect your passion.

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