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Course: College admissions > Unit 2
Lesson 3: Extracurricular and leadership activities- Engaging in extracurricular activities
- Student story: Extracurriculars that are leadership opportunities
- Student story: Extracurriculars that are nontraditional
- Student story: Extracurriculars that are self created
- Student story: Extracurriculars that are a passion
- Student story: Extracurriculars that carry over from high school to college
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Student story: Extracurriculars that are a passion
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I am in my sophomore year of high school and there is a community television studio right across the street. I have always been interested in how sports events are filmed, but that has nothing to do with what I want to be when I grow up. My question is should you participate in extracurriculars that you don't think will have anything to do with what you are actually going to do in the future, but look like a really fun learning experience?(8 votes)
I would like to add that even if it has nothing to do with your current career plans, people barely ever end up in the exact career they planned. What you described may end up helping you if and when you end up on a divergent path. Also, hopefully your future plans are interesting enough to work at in extracurricular activities as well.(7 votes)
How does Boy Scout or Eagle Scout look when applying for college?(3 votes)
Absolutely amazing. You won't find an employer or college that will dislike you having your Eagle Scout, as that represents long-term committment to a cause, your community, education, etc.(2 votes)
- I am going into 11th grade and I am very passionate about music. I sing in my school's choir, play piano, guitar, and ukulele. However, my piano lessons had to stop before I started high school for financial and accessibility reasons, and I self-taught guitar and ukulele. I feel that because I am not taking lessons, it takes away my credibility, but these are things I practice every day. Should I put it on my college apps? What can I do to make these more credible?(3 votes)
Put on your application all your school related programs whether they relate to your music or not, but make sure that your music programs are primary. To make yourself more credible, take programs at community centers that showcase your skill. If you really are into music, you should find a way to continue the music lessons and ask your instructor if there are any ways to get discounts or if you could work at the music store part time to help pay for lessons. (Your age might limit you, but every little bit helps!)(2 votes)
I am very passionate about ballet; will doing this as an extracurricular and a passion help me get into college? Even if I want to major in dance AND something else?(3 votes)
That's the perfect extracurricular activity for a major like Dance. That major will involve an audition, and it's great that you have the experience.
But maybe look into something different that sets you apart from other Dance applicants. You have to think: they are all coming in with background and experience in dance (probably)... so you'll want to stick out. Something like your schools debate club. Or take instrument lessons. Or regularly volunteer somewhere.(1 vote)
- So does attending summercamp also count in extracurricular which we can state?(2 votes)
You can mention it to your college and put it in your college application because its what you do out of school(3 votes)
Hi. My name is Trusha and I've just started my freshman year [9th grade]. I have a LOT of ambition and want to do big things with my life, but have no idea where to start when it comes to choosing the right type of college. I thoroughly enjoy every subject at school and am pretty good at them as well. Any suggestions as to how I can take my first step of picking a university would be MUCH appreciated :)(2 votes)
NEVER choose a college based on a major you plan to take. The problem is, you may go to a school that specializes in that field and end up realizing that it is not what you thought it would be or it just did not interest you. The problem students face then is they either stick through it and get a degree in something they don't like or they have to take the leap of faith and switch schools or colleges. In my opinion, when choosing a college, look at all aspects of it; make sure it is recognized for more than just one field. Therefore, if you end up choosing another path, you will still be able to get a respected degree. I hope this helps :)(3 votes)
I am in 10th grade(High School). I really want to get involved with journalism and also theatre. I really want to be involved with volunteering in my community and I want to know if there are any resources that will help me look for opportunities.
My email is: aalvarez@hightechhigh.org(2 votes)
Hi Arianna, I would suggest that you should research, especially in your community. Talking with the librarians at your local library, they might be able to point you towards programs or opportunities that might help you.(2 votes)
- Do extra curriculars from before highschool start?(2 votes)
- An extracurricular that you started doing before high school, and continued doing throughout, can be a huge advantage, in fact! It shows that you are very committed, and reliable, because you've been doing something for years.(2 votes)
does being part of your church youth group count as a extracurricular? expecially since we help out people at our church and we also do visitation (going door to door and handing out flyers(2 votes)- Yes. Anything you do outside of school counts, so church activities, volunteering, sports, and even paid work or caring for siblings is good to include(2 votes)
Is reading different types of outbook an extra curricular activity?(2 votes)
Video transcript
- So I never looked at extracurriculars as a way to get into college 'cause that was not my
purpose of doing them at all. I actually didn't like when people said, "Oh, you should do a lot
to get into college." I always looked at it as,
like, what did I like to do, what do I love to do, and I'm
going to do it to the best, and that's how I always
looked at extracurriculars, so I got involved in so many things because of that, not to get into college. I was in journalism, I loved it, and we would have production days 'til, like, late at night, write articles. I was in theater, and
that was just so much fun. I also did a lot of community service with my church and my friends, and that was a really,
really great opportunity to be out there doing public service, and all of those really transferred over to what I did later on. Community service ended up
running my entire career, both in college and beyond. Drama served me both in
college, as I did Drama, and also in extra summer camps when I did during the school year, and then, the last one, journalism, ended up becoming part of my major, so all of that transferred
over to what I did.