Extracurricular Activities Essay Examples

Extracurricular activities essay examples – introduction .

As you work through your college applications, you may come across a version of the extracurricular activities essay. Many college application requirements include an extracurricular supplemental essay. So, don’t be surprised if you need to write an extracurricular supplemental essay for schools on your list. As you brainstorm and draft, it can be helpful to read some extracurricular activities essay examples. 

In this guide, we’ve included several extracurricular activities essay examples to show you the ropes. By the end, you’ll see how to successfully complete the extracurricular activities essay. Take a look at these examples before you start your college applications. 

The extracurricular activities essay is exactly what it sounds like. You will use the extracurricular supplemental essay to write about the importance of one of your extracurricular activities. Later, we’ll look at several elaborate on an extracurricular activity essay examples. 

In our extracurricular activities essay examples, we’ll look at prompts from the following schools: 

  • Stanford University  
  • Rice University  
  • Bryn Mawr College  
  • Northwestern University  
  • Vanderbilt University  

University of Florida

  • Princeton University  

We’ll talk about what you can learn from each of our extracurricular activities essay examples. We will also explain how they contribute to each student’s application narrative. Before we jump into our extracurricular activities essay examples, let’s explore what counts as an extracurricular activity. 

What is an extracurricular activity? 

An extracurricular activity, or after-school activity , is something that you participate in outside of your regular classes. Extracurricular activities are important because they give you a chance to explore your interests outside the classroom. In fact, recent research suggests that being involved in extracurricular activities can even help a student’s engagement in school. 

When you submit college applications, you’ll include a list of the extracurricular activities you have participated in during high school. Being involved in multiple extracurricular activities can bolster your candidate profile and make you stand out in the admissions process. 

Extracurricular activities matter

If you plan to send college applications to top-tier schools, you’ll want to boost your participation in extracurricular activities early in your high school career. Colleges want to see that you have passions in and out of the classroom.

In other words, extracurricular activities can show admissions officers what you care about. Extracurricular activities can also help you learn more about what you enjoy, which can translate into potential extracurricular activities for college.

What are some examples of extracurricular activities? 

Extracurricular activities can be clubs, organizations, sports, jobs, or anything in between. As you’ll see in our elaborate on an extracurricular activity essay examples, extracurriculars will vary from student to student. There are four main categories of extracurricular activities: 

School-sponsored activities

  • Community activities 

Independent activities

Work experiences.

Each category has its own strengths and benefits you’ll want to show in your essay. Our extracurricular activities essay examples highlight activities from each category. As such, you’ll be able to see an activity similar to yours represented. 

Let’s take a closer look at each of these categories before we dig into our extracurricular activity essay examples.

Extracurricular Activity Categories 

School-sponsored extracurricular activities include clubs, organizations or programs that are hosted by your school. These might be sports teams, special interest clubs like technical theatre, or arts programs like band and orchestra. 

Community activities

Another popular type of extracurricular activity is community activities. Community activities include volunteer work and community service. 

Getting involved in your local community is a great way to show the admissions committee how you give back. 

These kinds of activities can also be a great topic for your extracurricular activities essay. They can include hobbies, learning new skills, or taking online courses in your favorite subject. 

Independent activities help showcase your passions and interests. These types of extracurricular activities would be perfect to explore in an extracurricular supplemental essay, especially since they fit less neatly into the activities list on the Common App. 

Many high school students have work experiences they can highlight in their college applications. Work experiences could include part-time jobs, internships, or shadowing opportunities. 

Talking about your work experiences in your extracurricular supplemental essay can be a great way to show off your time management and professional skills to admissions officers.

Depth over breadth

However, you don’t have to participate in dozens of extracurricular activities to stand out in the college application process. It’s more important to develop depth than breadth in your extracurriculars to showcase your commitment and dedication.

In other words, it’s much more impressive for you to have a handful of extracurricular activities on your resume that you are deeply committed to than a long list of clubs and organizations that you don’t care about. 

The best extracurricular activities for you will be the ones that match your interests and goals. Don’t just join every club at your school to fill out your resume. Instead, seek out extracurricular activities where you can explore your interests, learn new things, and grow over time. 

Writing about Extracurricular Activities for College

Now that we’ve explored some extracurricular activity options that will be perfect for your extracurricular activities essay, let’s discuss how to write about your extracurricular activities on your college applications. 

Most schools use a holistic process to review college applications. This means that they will evaluate you based on your entire candidate profile . This includes test scores , GPA , essays , and extracurricular activities.

Because more students are applying to colleges than ever before, you’ll want to do everything you can to stand out in your college applications. Writing about your extracurricular activities for college can help show the admissions committee who you are, what’s important to you, and what makes you a unique applicant. 

Focus on the narrative

Use the extracurricular activities essay to tell a story about your experience. You can describe what it felt like, what it looked like, or how it helped you learn more about your own interests and goals.

When you are writing about your extracurricular activities for college, you’ll want to provide specific details about the type, length, and responsibilities of your involvements. If you’re unsure where to start, try making a list of all the extracurricular activities you have participated in since freshman year. Write down the role you had in this activity, how much time you spent doing it, and what you learned because of this involvement. 

For more tips on how to write about extracurricular activities for college, check out this article . In it, you’ll find 39 essay tips from admissions experts on how to write a great college essay, including how to write about extracurricular activities for college. 

What are some examples of extracurricular activities essay prompts? 

Before we review our extracurricular activities essay examples (along with the reasons why these are college essays that worked), let’s look at the extracurricular activities essay prompts from Stanford, Rice, Bryn Mawr, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, UF, and Princeton. 

Although the general idea is the same, each college will have a slightly different version of the extracurricular activities essay prompt. You’ll see the differences in our extracurricular activities essay examples below. 

Stanford University

If you plan to apply to Stanford University, you should know that one of the Stanford supplemental essay prompts is as follows: 

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. 

This extracurricular activities essay prompt is intentionally broad. You’ll need to select just one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences to describe in this Stanford supplemental essay. 

This Stanford supplemental essay prompt is your opportunity to showcase one of your many involvements. It also gives you a chance to elaborate on why it is important to you. If possible, select an extracurricular activity or work experience that you have not already discussed at length anywhere else in your Stanford application.

Rice University

This essay prompt on extracurriculars from Rice University is fairly straight forward. You can see the exact wording below: 

The extracurricular activities essay prompt or Rice is the same as the one for the Stanford application. Like we mentioned above, you’ll want to highlight an activity that is not mentioned elsewhere in your application. 

There are three Bryn Mawr supplemental essays that are required for admission. The first of the Bryn Mawr supplemental essays is about your extracurricular activities: 

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences in the space below.

This prompt is the same as the ones for the Stanford application and Rice application. Our suggestions for those essays also apply for the first prompt of the Bryn Mawr supplemental essays. 

Northwestern

Here is the Northwestern essay prompt: 

Vanderbilt  

If you are applying to Vanderbilt, you should know that the Vanderbilt application requires that you answer this extracurricular activities essay prompt: 

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences.

Both the Northwestern essay prompt and the Vanderbilt application prompt are the same as the ones for Stanford, Rice, and Bryn Mawr.

The UF application includes the following extracurricular activities essay prompt as part of the required University of Florida essays: 

During high school, what is the most enriching long-term or ongoing activity in which you have participated outside of the classroom? Tell us about it – Why is it enriching to you? What have you gained or learned by participating in it? How do you plan to continue this type of activity in the future?

Unlike the prompts for the Stanford, Rice, Bryn Mawr, Vanderbilt, and Northwestern applications, this extracurricular activities essay prompt asks you to answer direct questions about your experience. 

You’ll want to choose an activity that is the most significant, long-term activity that you have participated in during high school. Then, you’ll want to explain why it was enriching, what you learned in this activity, and how you plan to continue with this type of activity in college and beyond. 

You’ll see how to answer these questions in our extracurricular activities essay examples. 

The Princeton extracurricular activities essay prompt is as follows: 

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences that was particularly meaningful to you.

This prompt is similar to the ones above, but it does make an important distinction. You’ll want to choose an activity that was meaningful to you, which means you will need to spend part of your essay describing why you found this experience particularly impactful. We’ll take a look at how to do this in our extracurricular activities essay examples. 

Which schools require an extracurricular activities essay? 

In addition to the extracurricular activities essay prompts we highlighted above, many colleges include an extracurricular activities essay as part of their college application requirements. 

Each of these schools’ college applications require you to write an extracurricular activities essay: 

  • Georgetown University
  • University of California schools
  • Howard University 
  • Amherst College
  • Purdue University

Even though we won’t look at extracurricular activities essay examples for these colleges, the extracurricular activities essay examples we do highlight can help give you inspiration as you work on your college applications. 

Now, it’s time to examine some extracurricular activities essay examples. Our elaborate on an extracurricular activity essay examples include Stanford essays examples, Rice supplemental essays examples, Bryn Mawr supplemental essays, Northwestern essay examples, Vanderbilt essay examples, UF supplemental essay examples, and Princeton essay examples. 

Following each of the extracurricular activities essay examples, we’ll provide an analysis on why these are college essays that worked. 

First, let’s kick off our extracurricular activities essay examples with the Stanford essays examples. 

Extracurricular Activities Essay Examples: Stanford University

Here’s the first of our elaborate on an extracurricular activity essay examples: 

Stanford Essay Examples

In February of 2016 my neighbor texted me and asked me to tutor her third grader in math. My first thought was “Third grade math?! This will be easy.” I was wrong. The girl I tutored is dyslexic and had ADHD, so working with her challenged me in a new way. I had to devise ways of teaching where she could understand it but also remain focused for long enough to accomplish it. I had to practice my patience in a way I never have before, and I have become a better person because of it. By the end of our work together, she was excited to play the math games I made up and she was so proud every time she understood a question or a concept. I am so thankful for that opportunity.

Why this essay worked

This sample of the Stanford essays examples works for several reasons. First, the author describes how the activity challenged them to come up with new ideas as a math tutor. This shows the admissions officer how thoughtful and creative this person can be in different situations. 

In this essay (one of our Stanford essays examples), the author shows how they developed key skills, like patience, through this extracurricular activity. Highlighting new skills that you have learned through your extracurricular activities is a way to stand out from the crowd.

Showcasing personal growth, like the author did above, also shows the admissions team you are willing to change and better yourself when faced with challenges. 

How To Write The Rice Supplemental Essays

Now, let’s turn to Rice supplemental essays examples. Below, you’ll see another version of the elaborate on an extracurricular activity essay examples. 

Rice Supplemental Essay Examples

With an interest in business, it is hard to pass up the chance to become a part of the business club at my school. This competition-based club allows members to learn detailed ways to start and manage a business. Although my curiosity urged me to participate, the thought of writing 30 pages with a fast-approaching deadline seemed daunting. Prior to this program, I had very little knowledge on the basic principles of business management, however, through research and a bit of persistence, I learned countless fundamentals of business. Although I was awarded a medal and recognized as a State Finalist in the International Business Plan category, the most valuable thing I earned was the drive of an entrepreneur which taught me that even the most difficult of tasks can be accomplished if they are done with continued determination. 

Getting straight to the point

This is one of our Rice supplemental essays examples. In it, the author mentions their academic interest right away. This helps the reader understand the forthcoming connection between the extracurricular activity and this person’s interests. 

If you’re working with a tight word limit, like the one in the Rice supplemental essays examples, you’ll want to be concise with your details. The Rice supplemental essays examples only give you so many words to work with, so you have to make the most of them. In this essay, the author summarizes the purpose of their extracurricular activity quickly. This provides the reader with more context about their involvement without taking up too much space. 

This is an example of college essays that worked because the author shows what they learned as a result of their involvement in this activity. This highlights the author’s potential success in a college setting. 

How To Write The Bryn Mawr Supplemental Essays 

Like the two extracurricular activities essay examples above, the Bryn Mawr supplemental essay is another version of the elaborate on an extracurricular activity essay examples. 

Bryn Mawr Essay Example

After watching my grandfather suffer from heart ailments, it was particularly meaningful to have the opportunity to conduct echocardiography research with a pediatric cardiologist. During my summer internship at a Health and Science University, I designed and built heart models to mimic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) disease and investigate strain comparisons in a 2D and 3D model. 

Continuously designing and analyzing my own experiments has not only taught me the value of diligence, patience and replication in the laboratory setting, but it has also instilled in me the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills that will enable me to tackle difficult, and sometimes unknown, problems with sound reasoning and confidence as I serve the underrepresented to eliminate health disparities. 

This response is one of the college essays that worked for several reasons. The author of this essay explains the personal significance of this extracurricular activity. This gives the reader more information about who this person is and why this activity is meaningful to them. 

Additionally, the author uses their response to explain what they did during their internship as well as the values and skills they learned from this activity. They even go the extra mile to describe how they will use these values and skills to reach their goals in the future. 

Extracurricular Activities Essay Examples: Northwestern University

The following essay is another of our elaborate on an extracurricular activity essay examples. 

Northwestern Essay Example

After having been a Girl Scout for over 10 years, I can confirm that the most common questions I get asked are, “When are you selling the cookies,” or “Can I get [insert favorite cookie here]”. However, Girl Scouts means so much more to me than simply selling cookies for a few months.

Being a part of Girl Scouts has entailed, as the Girl Scout Law indicates, “being a sister to every Girl Scout”. When I first joined the organization as a Brownie, I didn’t think I would interact with the older girls at all. However, I soon began to admire my older Girl Scout sisters and looked up to them the more time I spent with them. As an Ambassador now, I try to show the same level of leadership by mentoring and working with younger girls, building a strong relationship with them and helping them on their journey to the higher ranks (as well as through life).

As a Girl Scout, I have also learned to enthusiastically help my community. Whether it be through providing assistance at food pantries, cleaning up litter, donating to the homeless, or singing carols in retirement homes, Girls Scouts has taught me the importance of helping others in need around me and improving the state of the world.

So, yes, being a Girl Scout does mean selling cookies. But, more importantly, Girl Scouts has meant growing into a confident young woman, being a mentor, and providing service to better the world.

Focus on depth of involvement

This sample comes from one of our Northwestern essay examples. In it, the author mentions the length of their involvement in the Girl Scouts and their progression from a junior member to a senior member. 

Like we mentioned earlier, it’s important to have extracurricular activities on your list that show depth, especially in your Northwestern application. In other words, the longer you participate in an activity, the more significant it is to your college applications. 

This is another example of college essays that worked because the author can describe how they eventually moved into a leadership role and what that new role entails. If you are a leader in your organization, be sure to mention it on your Northwestern application and in your essay. 

Finally, the author concludes with a description of who they are and what this activity has taught them. We saw similar versions of this conclusion in the extracurricular activities essay examples above, which goes to show that these are college essays that worked.  

Extracurricular Activities Essay Examples: Vanderbilt University

Next, let’s look at Vanderbilt essay examples. This essay is one of the longer samples of our extracurricular activities essay examples. Please note that the name of the program described has been removed for anonymity.

Vanderbilt Essay Examples

I silently sat in the passenger seat of my mother’s car with a churning feeling in my stomach. My legs bounced wildly, and my body was tense. My anxiety came from the fact I would be starting my first day at a pre-college program to which I was recently accepted.

When my mother dropped me off at the building where my first class would be held, I nervously walked in, surprised to be greeted by the smiling faces of my peers. Looking around, I saw faces of all shades. This amazed me, having been surrounded by people who looked like me for most of my life. As I engaged in conversation with students already present, I increasingly became more comfortable.

Though class began with typical icebreakers, we quickly transitioned into math topics, beginning with algebra and progressing into trigonometry and summations. When the professor concluded the lecture, I was shocked to find that the class had passed by so quickly. Similar sentiments arose after completing my critical thinking class in the afternoon. When my mother picked me up after that class, I enthusiastically spilled my experiences from the day.

The following six weeks of that summer (and ensuing summers) comprised of me being introduced to new perspectives. Being surrounded by peers that were different in lifestyle and socioeconomic status made me more open-minded to unfamiliar concepts and interpretations.

The brother and sisterhood I formed with my peers made me way less dependent on my twin sister and increased my confidence in my beliefs and individuality.

Additionally, being taught by university professors in rigorous subject matter instilled in me a newfound passion in exploring challenging topics. This program has assisted in developing me into a more well-rounded, cultured individual not only through exposure to a research program at the university hospital, but through enrichment activities during the school year (watching plays, attending politic and STEM-based talks, and experiencing cultural shows). Though I was initially apprehensive in applying to this program, I now look back at the program as life-altering and am thankful for the experience. Three years ago, I was just a “twin” who did well in school, however today I am an individual with my own unique views, eager to learn the endless knowledge the world has to offer me.

Unlike the extracurricular activities essay examples above, this essay puts you right in the middle of the story. This can be an effective way to grab your reader’s attention as they review your Vanderbilt application. 

Additionally, this is a great example of college essays that worked because the author describes self-growth because of their involvement. In this sample from our Vanderbilt essay examples, the writer explains the new skills they learned and details the type of experiences they had while in this extracurricular activity. 

Extracurricular Activities Essay Examples: University of Florida

Now, let’s look at UF supplemental essay examples. This essay is a little different from our previous extracurricular activities essay examples. 

This is a slightly elevated take on the elaborate on an extracurricular activity essay examples prompt. It asks you to do more than just explain your involvement in an extracurricular activity.

UF Supplemental Essay Examples

“Thaka-dhimi thaka- janu! Strike your foot higher! Sit more! Discipline yourself!”

To most, these phrases and commands would have sounded like gibberish. But to me, it meant beauty and grace. It meant dedication and determination. It invoked a sense of community and contentment. It meant Bharatantyam.

From the ripe age of 5 years old, I’ve had the opportunity to learn an Indian Classical Dance form, Bharatanatyam, from my mother. I took this opportunity seriously in tenth grade. Once I chose to commit fully to Bharatantyam, it was life changing. 

Bharatantyam has transformed me for the good as a person. Countless hours spent in practice disciplined me. Preparing mentally for a more sophisticated piece or dance item allowed me to expand my brain’s depth. From a physical standpoint, one can see that Bharatantyam is a beautiful dance that harmonizes your brain and body. 

Viewing Bharatanatyam from a scientific standpoint is what made it so much more enriching. Watching a video from my mother’s guru, I began to understand the neurological benefits of both dancing and watching Bharatantyam. Viewing that clip gave me a revolutionary idea: treating neurological diseases for senior citizens through Bharatanatyam.

I began to perform at senior assisted living facilities around my city. Many of the seniors I performed for weren’t able to even stay awake for it. While at times discouraging, small moments of joy kept me going. Every smile I received from my audience and every conversation I had with the seniors were the reasons why I kept dancing.

Now, I plan to expand this activity more at UF. Creating a non-profit in which dancers have paid performances and donate that money to neurological research institutes is how I believe I should start. With UF’s resources, I easily see this idea becoming reality.

Extracurricular activities essay prompt

With this extracurricular activities essay examples prompt, you must answer all three parts of the University of Florida essays question to complete your UF application. 

Like the extracurricular activities essay examples for Vanderbilt, this sample from our UF supplemental essay examples puts you right in the middle of the story. It starts off with a quote, grabbing the reader’s attention. This sample of the University of Florida essays also shows you the length of involvement this author had in the activity while highlighting aspects of their unique culture. 

This is one of our college essays that worked because this response details the author’s experience, growth, and future goals. On top of that, this sample from our UF supplemental essay examples further strengthens the writer’s UF application by connecting their experience to how they hope to continue this activity at UF.

Extracurricular Activities Essay Examples: Princeton University

This sample from the Princeton essay examples is the last of our college essays that worked.

Princeton Essay Examples

Serving as a Student Government leader at my college has taught me the power of student voice and collaborative leadership. During my Junior year, I began attending Senate Meetings and was elected as a Senator a few months later. I began proposing solutions to problems my college faces, from lack of STEM programming to low voter turnout rates to poor multicultural outreach programs. I created student committees to tackle these problems, the most recent being a committee working to bring a series of local STEM professionals for our artist-in-residence series. I was appointed as a student voice to faculty committees, such as the Diversity and Equity Committee. I use this position to bring student concerns I hear from SG directly to the college board to catalyze changes in our college, such as the introduction of STEM cohort groups or providing resources for students of color.

The last of our extracurricular activities essay examples mentions the activity right away. It also mentions what the activity taught the author. Like the extracurricular activities essay examples above, this response adds specific details. Moreover, the author describes the impact of their leadership role.

In addition to describing the experience itself, this essay highlights how the author implemented solutions to the problems they recognized within their community, another key skill that will be important in college. 

How To Write A Great Extracurricular Activities Essay

In our extracurricular activities essay examples, you saw different ways to write a great extracurricular activities essay. Now let’s talk about how you can use these extracurricular activities essay examples to help you write your own.

When you write your own extracurricular activities essay, be sure to refer to the extracurricular activities essay examples above. Each of the extracurricular activities essay examples highlights a different aspect of each applicant’s candidate profile—from backgrounds to passions to academic interests and goals.

Read every prompt carefully

Remember, some colleges might have different ways of approaching the extracurricular activities essay, which will be evident in the essay prompt. Like some of the extracurricular activities essay examples above, you might be working with a shorter or longer word limit. You also may have specific questions you need to address when elaborating on your extracurriculars.

There’s no specific formula on how to write a great extracurricular activities essay. However, here are a few tips to help you write a strong response that will stand out from the crowd. 

Additional Tips for Writing Extracurricular Activities Essays

Choosing which activities to write about and how to present them is key to writing a successful extracurricular activities essay. Reading some elaborate on an extracurricular activity essay examples can help you learn how to structure your own essays. You’ll likely need to write about your extracurriculars to complete your college application requirements. So, use this as a chance to show the admissions committee what matters to you. 

In this guide, we’ve reviewed extracurricular activities essay examples from some of the top colleges in the nation. We hope this helps you as you write your own extracurricular activities essay. 

Three tips to help you write your extracurricular activities essays: 

1. demonstrate your passion . .

Like we saw in the extracurricular activities essay examples, this is your opportunity to show what’s important to you. Use your essays to demonstrate your passion. 

2. Show your dedication. 

Many of our extracurricular activities essay examples discussed how long the author was involved in the activity. Show your dedication to your hobby, club, or organization through your essay responses. 

3. Match your extracurricular activities essay examples to a school’s mission or values. 

There are plenty of applicants who can fill out all the college application requirements. However, to truly stand out, you’ll want to show the admissions office why you are a great fit for their university. Match your extracurricular activities essay examples to a college’s mission or values to prove that you are committed to attending that university.

Other CollegeAdvisor Resources on Extracurricular Activities 

If you need help figuring out how to get involved, watch our webinar for tips on how to join new extracurricular activities in high school. For more ideas on which extracurricular activities might be right for you, check out our article on 38 high school extracurricular ideas for college applicants. 

38 High School Extracurricular Ideas for College Applicants

Wondering how to showcase your extracurricular activities in your college applications? Check out our guide for more information on how to approach extracurricular activities in the college admissions process. 

How to Showcase Extracurricular Activities In Your College Applications

Finally, check out our panel for additional tips on how to craft your activity and extracurriculars list for college. 

Crafting Your Activity and Extracurriculars List

Extracurricular Activities Essay Examples – Final Thoughts 

We hope that our guide on extracurricular activities essay examples (and college essays that worked) help you prepare your own extracurricular activities essay. If an extracurricular activities essay is part of your college application requirements, be sure to refer back to our extracurricular activities essay examples for guidance.

As you likely noticed from our extracurricular activities essay examples, college essays that worked tend to highlight students’ passion. This is even more true when it comes to extracurriculars. Don’t feel daunted by the extracurricular supplemental essay requirement. Instead, use it as a chance to highlight how you engage deeply with the world around you. 

Not all prompts are the same

Remember, the prompt to your extracurricular activities essay might look different than the ones we highlighted in our extracurricular activities essay examples above. Even if your prompt is different from our ‘elaborate on an extracurricular activity essay examples’, you can still use them to brainstorm ideas for your own extracurricular activities essay. 

Do you need help with other college application requirements? CollegeAdvisor.com can help. Register today to get one-on-one support as you begin your college application process.

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extra curricular activities at school essay

How to Write a Strong Extracurricular Activity Essay

Crafting an effective extracurricular activity essay

Written by:

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Written: 4/23/24

Landing a seat in your dream university requires more than just showcasing your academic abilities; it's about highlighting your life beyond the books, your sources of inspiration, and the experiences that have played a crucial role in shaping your individuality. 

A great way to show off your many sides is by skillfully writing an essay about your extracurricular activities. This piece of writing offers a unique opportunity for admissions officers to peek into your world outside of academics by highlighting your passions, unwavering commitment, leadership prowess, and personal evolution. 

This comprehensive guide will delve into the intricate yet rewarding process of crafting an engaging and compelling extracurricular activity essay. It will help you figure out which activities are best for you to focus on, and it will also give you a bunch of interesting questions to get your creativity going.

We’ll also provide you with a curated list of extracurricular activity essay examples, Acting like a guide and a good example for you to follow as you write.

By being thoughtful, real, and creative, your essay about your outside-of-school activities could be the special thing that helps you get into the college you really want.

Keep reading to learn how to turn your passions and experiences into an engaging narrative that truly reflects who you are.

How to Choose Which Extracurricular to Write About

extra curricular activities at school essay

Selecting the most suitable extracurricular activity to write about for your college application essay requires careful consideration and introspection. Each choice holds the potential to shape the narrative of your essay and provide valuable insights into your character, values, and personal growth. 

To ensure a comprehensive exploration of this topic, let's discuss a few factors you should consider when choosing which extracurricular to focus on:

1. Personal Significance

When contemplating which extracurriculars to highlight in your essay, take the time to reflect on the experiences that have had the most profound impact on your life. Consider the activities that have shaped your character, influenced your values, and ignited your passions. 

It could be a community service project that opened your eyes to social injustices, a musical instrument that became your creative outlet, or a sports team that taught you the value of teamwork and perseverance. 

Choose an activity that resonates with you on a deeply personal level. This will enable you to authentically convey your emotions and the growth you have experienced.

2. Depth of Involvement

While showcasing a long list of extracurricular activities may be tempting, prioritizing quality over quantity is important. Admissions officers are interested in understanding how deeply you are engaged with an activity, as it demonstrates commitment, dedication, and the potential for impact. 

Evaluate the level of your involvement in each activity and focus on the one where you invested significant time and effort. This could involve leadership roles, taking on challenging responsibilities, or contributing to the activity's growth and success. 

By selecting an extracurricular where you had a meaningful and substantial involvement, you can provide a more detailed and insightful account of your experiences.

3. Leadership and Initiative

If you have taken on leadership roles or demonstrated initiative within a particular extracurricular activity, it can add an extra layer of depth to your essay. Admissions officers value applicants who display leadership qualities and the drive to initiate positive change. 

Reflect on instances where you assumed leadership responsibilities, whether it was captaining a team, organizing events, or spearheading projects. Share how you influenced others, made strategic decisions, and motivated team members to achieve common goals. 

Highlight any innovative ideas or initiatives you introduced and the impact they had on the activity and its participants.

4. Unique Experiences

Consider highlighting an extracurricular activity that stands out from the crowd. While popular activities like sports or clubs can still make for compelling essays, choosing a less common or unconventional activity can help your essay stand out and capture the reader's attention. 

Think about unique experiences you have had outside the mainstream activities, such as starting a niche interest group , participating in an underrepresented sport, or pursuing an uncommon hobby. These experiences can provide a fresh perspective and reveal different aspects of your personality and interests.

5. Alignment with Your Goals

When choosing an extracurricular activity to write about, consider its alignment with your future goals and aspirations. Admissions officers are interested in understanding your passions and how you plan to pursue them in college and beyond. 

Select an activity that showcases your dedication to a particular field of study, career path, or cause. Explain how your involvement in the activity has shaped your understanding of your chosen path and provided valuable insights into the skills, knowledge, and experiences required to succeed in that area.

Demonstrate how the activity has fueled your ambition and inspired you to make a meaningful impact in the future.

6. Overcoming Challenges

Admissions officers appreciate stories of resilience and personal growth. Consider discussing an extracurricular activity in which you encountered obstacles or adversity and how you overcame them. Reflect on the challenges you faced and the strategies you employed to navigate through them. 

This could involve overcoming physical limitations, balancing demanding commitments, or addressing conflicts within the activity. You can showcase your determination, adaptability, and problem-solving skills by sharing the lessons you learned from these challenges.

7. Diversity of Experiences

If you have been involved in multiple extracurricular activities, consider showcasing a variety of experiences to demonstrate your versatility and well-roundedness. Admissions officers value applicants who have explored different interests and engaged in diverse pursuits. 

Discuss how each activity has contributed to your personal growth and provided you with unique perspectives and skills. Show how your various involvements have influenced and complemented each other, highlighting the valuable transferable skills and insights you have gained from navigating different domains.

8. Impact on Others

Consider the impact your participation in an extracurricular activity has had on others. Admissions officers are interested in applicants who excel individually and contribute to the growth and well-being of their communities. Reflect on the ways your involvement has positively influenced others. 

This could involve mentoring teammates, organizing community service projects, or supporting fellow participants. Share specific examples of how your actions have made a difference, emphasizing the values of compassion, empathy, and leadership you have demonstrated.

By considering these factors when selecting which extracurricular activity to write about, you can choose the most compelling and meaningful topic for your essay. Remember, the goal is to provide a genuine and insightful portrayal of your experiences, passions, and personal growth. 

Through thoughtful introspection and effective storytelling, you can craft an engaging and impactful essay that leaves a lasting impression on admissions officers.

What Structure Do You Need to Use for Extracurricular Activity Essay?

When writing your extracurricular activity essay, consider two clear structures to effectively showcase your experiences. First up is the "Powerwall" approach, inspired by Elon Musk's presentation style for the Powerwall. Here's how it breaks down:

  • Start by identifying the problem you faced in your extracurricular activity. Keep it simple and straightforward.
  • Explain why overcoming this challenge was important. What were the stakes?
  • Describe exactly what you did to tackle the problem. Be specific about your actions.
  • Clarify your role in the situation. Why were you crucial to the success?
  • Finally, share the impact you had and any lessons you learned. Show how your work mattered.

If you didn't encounter any specific challenges but still want to highlight your experiences, try the "Uncommon Connections" approach. This one focuses on making unique connections between your activities and your personal growth, interests, or values. 

It's all about showing what's meaningful to you and why. Whichever approach you choose, the goal is to communicate your initiative, leadership, and impact within your community in a straightforward way. Use concrete examples and clear language to make your essay stand out to admissions committees.

How to Brainstorm Beliefs for Essay

To nail your extracurricular activity essay, follow these steps: complete the BEABIES Exercise, identify a challenge, explain its importance, describe what you did, highlight your role, and show the results. Let’s take a closer look at each of these tips. 

1. Complete the BEABIES Exercise

Allocate some time, approximately 15-30 minutes, to complete the BEABIES Exercise. Think of it as assembling all the necessary ingredients before cooking a meal – essential for a successful outcome.

2. Identify a Challenge

Reflect on your extracurricular engagements and pinpoint a specific challenge you encountered. Whether it was navigating social dynamics or overcoming logistical hurdles, choose an issue that resonates with you.

3. Explain Why It Matters

Elaborate on the significance of the challenge you identified. Why was it crucial to address this? Provide context to underscore its importance, whether it impacted your community, organization, or personal growth.

4. Describe What You Did

Delve into the actions you took to tackle the challenge head-on. Offer detailed insights into the strategies you employed, initiatives you spearheaded, or contributions you made to address the issue effectively.

5. Talk About Your Role

Highlight your individual role in addressing the challenge. Articulate why your contributions were indispensable to the project or club's success, whether through leadership, initiative, or a unique skill set.

6. Show the Results

Lastly, showcase the outcomes of your efforts. Discuss the tangible results, positive changes within your community, or valuable lessons learned as a result of your actions. Use concrete evidence to illustrate the impact of your contributions.

By following these steps, you'll be well-prepared to craft an essay that demonstrates your leadership, problem-solving abilities, and commitment to making a difference. Keep your writing clear and concise to ensure your narrative resonates with your reader.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Extracurricular Activity Essay

In this section, we'll discuss key mistakes to avoid when writing your extracurricular activity essay. From being too vague to neglecting self-reflection, we'll cover common pitfalls and how to steer clear of them. Let's dive in.

Being Too Vague

When writing your extracurricular activity essay, it's crucial to avoid being vague or generic. Instead of simply stating that you participated in "various activities," provide specific details about each activity. 

For example, if you were involved in a community service project, describe what the project entailed, how you contributed, and what impact it had on the community or on you personally. By providing concrete examples, you paint a clearer picture of your involvement and its significance.

Quantity Over Quality

Admissions committees are more interested in the depth of your involvement in extracurricular activities rather than the sheer number of activities you participated in. 

Rather than listing a long string of activities without much detail, focus on a few key experiences and explore them in depth. Discuss the skills you developed, the challenges you faced, and the lessons you learned. This allows you to showcase your growth and accomplishments more effectively.

Missing the Point

It's essential to carefully read and address the prompt provided for your extracurricular activity essay. Make sure you understand what the prompt is asking and tailor your essay accordingly. 

Avoid going off on tangents or including information that isn't relevant to the prompt. By staying focused on the specific topic or question provided, you demonstrate your ability to follow instructions and communicate effectively.

Forgetting the "Why"

In addition to describing your extracurricular activities, it's important to explain why they were meaningful to you. What motivated you to get involved in these activities? What did you enjoy about them? How did they align with your interests, values, or goals? By sharing your personal connection to the activities, you give the admissions committee insight into your passions and priorities.

Not Reflecting on Growth

A crucial aspect of writing an effective extracurricular activity essay is reflecting on your growth and development. Don't just focus on what you did; also, discuss how your experiences shaped you as a person. 

Reflect on the challenges you faced, the lessons you learned, and how you grew as a result. This self-reflection demonstrates maturity, resilience, and self-awareness, all of which admissions committees value in applicants.

Exaggerating or Faking

Honesty is key when writing your extracurricular activity essay. Resist the temptation to embellish or exaggerate your accomplishments, and avoid fabricating experiences that didn't actually happen. 

Admissions committees are adept at spotting insincerity, and being dishonest can seriously damage your credibility and chances of admission. Instead, focus on presenting your genuine experiences and achievements in the best possible light.

Ignoring Basics

Don't overlook the importance of basic writing skills such as grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Careless errors can detract from the overall quality of your essay and create a negative impression. 

Take the time to proofread your essay carefully, or even ask someone else to review it for you. Paying attention to these details demonstrates your professionalism and attention to detail.

Being Too Formal

While it's important to maintain a professional tone in your extracurricular activity essay, don't be afraid to let your personality shine through. Write in a natural, conversational style that reflects your voice and perspective. 

Avoid using overly formal or stilted language that can make your essay sound robotic or impersonal. Instead, imagine you're having a casual conversation with the reader and write in a tone that feels authentic and engaging.

Rushing Editing

Finally, don't rush the editing process when writing your extracurricular activity essay. Take the time to revise and polish your essay until it's the best possible representation of your experiences and achievements. Look for areas where you can improve clarity, coherence, and organization, and make sure your essay flows smoothly from beginning to end. 

Don't hesitate to seek feedback from teachers, counselors, or peers, and be willing to make revisions based on their suggestions. Remember, your essay is an opportunity to make a positive impression on the admissions committee, so invest the time and effort needed to make it stand out.

By paying attention to these common mistakes and taking the necessary steps to avoid them, you can write a compelling and impactful extracurricular activity essay that effectively highlights your experiences, accomplishments, and personal growth.

Extracurricular Activities Essay Prompts

To help you kickstart your writing process, here are ten thought-provoking prompts:

  • Can you share a story of an extracurricular activity that has brought about a significant change in your life? How did it alter your outlook and contribute to your personal development?
  • Can you delve into your experience of holding a leadership role in an extracurricular activity? How has it shaped your leadership style and impacted your personality?
  • Can you narrate how an extracurricular activity influenced your future career aspirations? Can you draw connections between your pursuit and your future goals?
  • Have you ever faced a considerable challenge or failure while participating in an extracurricular activity? Can you share your journey of overcoming this challenge and the lessons it imparted?
  • Is there an extracurricular activity that has played a crucial role in your personal growth? Can you discuss this journey of transformation and the factors that contributed to it?
  • Can you elucidate on an extracurricular activity where you demonstrated a significant level of commitment and dedication over a long period of time? How did this consistent engagement contribute to your development and learning?
  • Has there been an extracurricular activity that has allowed you to step outside of your comfort zone? Can you share your experience and how this helped you grow personally and academically?
  • Is there a unique or unusual extracurricular activity that you have participated in? How has this activity contributed to showcasing your individuality and distinguishing you from others?
  • Have you ever started or founded an extracurricular club, event, or initiative? Can you elaborate on the motivation behind it, the process, the challenges faced, and the impact it had on you and your community.
  • Is there an extracurricular activity that has enhanced your understanding of a particular subject or field of study? Can you explain how this activity has deepened your academic interest or provided practical insights beyond the classroom?

Engaging in extracurricular activities not only enriches our lives outside the classroom but also provides us with invaluable experiences and lessons that shape our character, aspirations, and worldview. 

Whether it's leading a team, overcoming challenges, or exploring new horizons, these activities offer a unique platform to discover and showcase our true potential.

Extracurricular Activity Essay Examples

To help you grasp what an outstanding extracurricular essay looks like, let's dissect two examples and analyze why they make an impact:

1. Strings of Unity: My Dance with the Violin

“Every evening, as the sun set, the mellifluous notes of my violin would resonate through our home. I was six when I first held a violin, and it felt like an extension of my soul. Over the years, I practiced diligently, mastering complex compositions and performing at numerous recitals.

However, my most cherished moments were when I played at local nursing homes. Witnessing the joy and nostalgia my music brought to the elderly was profoundly rewarding. Inspired, I initiated "Melodies for Memories," a program where young musicians performed for seniors, bridging the generational gap through music.

The violin taught me discipline, empathy, and the power of connection. It wasn't just about playing notes; it was about touching hearts and creating moments of shared joy.”

Why This Essay Was Successful

Here are a few things that made this essay successful:

  • Vivid Imagery : The essay paints a beautiful picture of the writer's relationship with the violin, making it easy for readers to visualize and connect with the narrative.
  • Community Impact : By highlighting performances at nursing homes and the "Melodies for Memories" initiative, the writer showcases their commitment to community service and the positive impact of their passion.
  • Personal Growth : The essay emphasizes the values and skills gained from playing the violin, such as discipline and empathy.
  • Concluding Thoughts : The conclusion ties back to the central theme of connection and shared joy, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

This essay effectively conveys the writer's deep connection to the instrument, showcasing personal growth, community impact, and the transformative power of music.

2. Beyond the Board: Life Lessons from Chess

“The chessboard was my battleground, a place where strategy, patience, and foresight converged. Introduced to chess at age eight, I was captivated by its intricacies and the mental agility it demanded. As I delved deeper, I realized chess was more than a game; it mirrored life's challenges and decisions.

I began teaching chess to underprivileged children in my community, hoping to equip them with critical thinking skills. Through "Checkmate Challenges," our monthly tournaments, I saw these children grow in confidence, strategy, and resilience.

Chess taught me that every move has consequences and foresight is crucial. It reinforced the importance of patience, strategy, and learning from mistakes. Through chess, I not only honed my cognitive skills but also discovered the joy of mentoring and making a difference.”

This essay was successful because it included:

  • Engaging Start : The essay begins with a powerful statement, drawing readers into the world of chess and its significance to the writer.
  • Community Involvement : The writer's initiative to teach chess to underprivileged children showcases their dedication to community upliftment and the broader impact of their passion.
  • Life Lessons : The essay effectively draws parallels between chess and life, highlighting the invaluable lessons the writer has derived from the game.
  • Concluding Reflection : The conclusion emphasizes the dual benefits of chess: personal growth and the joy of mentoring

Both essays effectively communicate the writers' passions and the profound impact these activities have had on their personal growth and community involvement.

To gather inspiration from more successful essay examples , check our extensive database!

FAQs: Extracurricular Activities Essay

Writing about your hobbies for an essay? Here are some common questions and answers to help you out.

1. How Do You Write an Extracurricular Essay with a Word Count of 150 Words?

Crafting an extracurricular activity essay with a 150-word limit is both a test of your brevity and your ability to make a powerful impact. To start, you need to isolate a singular, significant moment or achievement from your chosen activity. 

This should be something that is both personally meaningful and serves as a representative snapshot of your broader involvement. Then, hook your readers right from the first sentence, making them intrigued to learn more about your story. 

You might paint a vivid picture, share a quick anecdote, or open with an interesting question. Afterward, give the reader a brief context or backstory about the activity to ground your story. This is where you quickly explain what the activity is and why it matters to you. 

Next, it's time to dive into the crux of your essay—your specific role and the impact it had. Highlight the challenges faced, the initiatives you took, and the results achieved. Be careful to maintain clarity and brevity, avoiding unnecessary details that could detract from your central message. 

Finally, wrap up your essay by tying your specific experience to a broader theme, value, or life lesson, which serves to highlight the significance of your involvement beyond the activity itself.

2. How Long Should an Extracurricular Essay be?

The length of an essay can fluctuate depending on specific application instructions. However, most hover around 150-300 words. Regardless of the word limit, remember that clarity and conciseness are your guiding principles. 

Every sentence you write should serve a specific purpose, contributing meaningfully to your overarching narrative and effectively portraying a holistic picture of you as an individual. Avoid fluff or filler content; instead, focus on delivering a tightly woven narrative that showcases your passions, commitments, and personal growth.

3. Can an Extracurricular Activity Essay Focus on More Than One Activity?

While you can mention multiple activities, focusing on one that has had the most significant impact on you is generally better. This allows you to provide a deeper, more detailed account, revealing valuable insights about your character, passions, and learnings.

Writing an exceptional extracurricular activities essay is a journey that requires introspection, authenticity, and excellent storytelling. As you embark on this journey, remember the goal is to bring to light not just what you did but who you are as a person, showcasing the experiences that have enriched your life. 

So, start reflecting on your experiences, unleash your creativity, and let your story resonate with the admissions officers.

4. Why Do Colleges Require Extracurricular Essays?

Colleges require extracurricular essays because they offer a more rounded view of applicants, going beyond mere academic accomplishments. Admissions officers want to understand who you are outside the classroom.

They're interested in your passions, long-term commitments, leadership experiences, and personal growth—all aspects that may not be apparent from your grades or test scores alone. 

5. How Do I Write About Extracurricular Activities in a Personal Statement?

When it comes to incorporating extracurricular activities into your personal statement, the goal is a seamless integration that enhances your overall narrative. It's important to discuss the activity in a way that highlights not just what you did but also how it contributed to your personal growth and future ambitions.

Elaborate on your involvement, detailing the specific roles you took on, the challenges you faced, and the skills you've gained. Then, explore how these experiences tie into your personal evolution and future goals.

Final Thoughts

Writing an extracurricular activity essay is more than just recounting what you did; it's about sharing a slice of your life that speaks volumes about your character, passions, and growth. It's about crafting a narrative that not only shares your experiences but also provides a window into the person you've become as a result. 

Whether you're speaking about the time you spent backstage in theatre productions, the hours you dedicated to the robotics club, or the weekends you spent volunteering at a local shelter, remember that the best essays are authentic and come from the heart. 

Use this opportunity to let your experiences shape your story, let your passions shine through, and let your unique voice echo in the admissions officer's mind. 

Your experiences make you unique, and this uniqueness can help you stand out among the sea of applicants. So, embrace your individuality and let it guide your journey as you write.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, how to write an extracurricular activities essay.

Hey, I'm working on an essay about my extracurricular activities. Can someone share tips on what to include and how to structure it? Any examples of well-written essays about extracurriculars would be a great help too. Thanks!

Writing an extracurricular activities essay can be a fantastic way to showcase your achievements, interests, and dedication while also displaying your personality and what makes you unique. Here are a few tips on what to include and how to structure it:

1. Choose a specific activity: Instead of writing about multiple extracurriculars, pick one that you're truly passionate about and has had a significant impact on your personal growth. This will help you focus your essay and provide a more engaging story.

2. Begin with an introduction: Introduce the activity and explain why it's important to you. I always think an anecdote that captures how you engage with the activity or maybe your first experience with it will make an engaging hook that grabs the reader's attention and makes them eager to learn more.

3. Show, don't tell: Provide specific examples of your experiences in the activity to illustrate your dedication, growth, and impact. Use anecdotes and vivid language to bring your story to life. For example, if you organized an event for a club or led a team to victory, describe the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

4. Highlight your skills and achievements: While describing your experiences, emphasize the skills and qualities you developed as a result of your participation. Connect these skills to your personal growth and how they will transfer to your future success in college and beyond.

5. Reflect on the impact: End on a reflective note by discussing the impact of the activity on your life and personal growth. How has it shaped your character, interests, or long-term aspirations? Be candid and thoughtful about how the experience has affected you.

As for examples, you can find various well-written essays on extracurriculars through a simple online search. This post should be a good starting point, though: https://blog.collegevine.com/extracurricular-activity-essay-examples

Remember, the key to writing a compelling essay is to be genuine and focus on conveying your passion for the extracurricular activity. Be sure to proofread and revise your essay, and consider seeking feedback from a teacher, counselor, or trusted friend to make it even better. Good luck!

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CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

How to Write about Extracurriculars in Your Personal Statement and Supplemental Essays

extra curricular activities at school essay

By Kylie Kistner

Writing Coach, Former Admissions Counselor

9 minute read

Whether you’ve completed a passion project you’re proud of or won a robotics award, you might be thinking about writing about extracurriculars in your college application.

Extracurriculars are an important part of the college admissions process for a reason.

Your out-of-the-classroom participation shows admissions officers what you care about, what you’re talented at, and what you’re committed to. How you choose to spend your non-academic time in high school will help them predict what you’d be involved in on their campus.

But there’s an art to writing about extracurriculars in a college application. Too much detail or too little explanation can lose admissions officers in the mix.

In this post, we’ll share our best tips—the ones that our clients have the most success with—for writing about passion projects and extracurricular activities in your personal statement and supplementals.

Let’s get started.

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Why write about extracurriculars?

You already put your extracurricular activities in your Common App activities section, so why use up precious essay space elaborating on them?

While admissions officers can see your activities list, they don’t always realize the full context or importance of every single one of your extracurriculars.

If there’s an activity or project that’s especially important to you, it can be worthwhile to elaborate. But if you’re going to use your essay space to write about an extracurricular, you need to make it count. You might choose to write about an extracurricular or project for the following four reasons.

Reason #1: To expand on the details an extracurricular

The 150 characters allotted in your Common App activities list isn’t much. You can convey the basics, but if you want to elaborate at all, you’re going to need more space.

Writing your personal statement or a supplemental about an extracurricular lets you write more in-depth about an extracurricular that’s important to you . Expanding on what you did and why it was meaningful will help admissions officers see why your activity mattered.

Reason #2: To highlight an impressive accomplishment

Let’s say you won a national competition, had a small role on a TV show, or raised a lot of money for an organization you care about. Or maybe you developed an independent research project and published it in a prestigious publication like The Concord Review or invented something and won the Regeneron Science Talent Search .

Your admissions officer wants to know about those accomplishments.

Remember that you want to give admissions officers a compelling story to tell committee about you. Your job is to make their job easier. Impressive extracurriculars can make you more memorable to admissions officers and can set you apart from the sea of other equally-qualified applicants.

Reason #3: To demonstrate magnitude, reach, and impact

Anything you write about an extracurricular, no matter where that writing appears in your application, should work to show the magnitude, reach, and impact of the activity.

Why? Because college admissions is all about outcomes. The more you can show that you’ve positively impacted yourself and the world around you, the better.

Admissions officers want to invite students to their communities who will have an impact, both before and after they graduate. Showing that you’re already impacting those around you can make it clear that you’re ready to take advantage of all the opportunities the school has to offer.

Reason #4: To weave your extracurriculars into a broader story that says something about who you are

Especially when writing about extracurriculars in your personal statement, you can use your activity as a springboard for writing about something else that’s important to you.

You’ve probably chosen your project or activity because it’s interesting and meaningful to you.

Extracurriculars can be an organic gateway to tell admissions officers about a more vulnerable part of who you are. Choosing to write about them in your personal statement or supplementals can emphasize how important they are to you, and it can help draw admissions officers’ attention to a core part of yourself .

Should I Write About My Extracurriculars in My Personal Statement

Refresher: what is a personal statement.

Personal statements —also called college essays or Common App essays—are the main piece of writing in your college application, and they typically range from 520 to 650 words.

They are tricky to write because you’ve probably never written (or even read!) one before. (We work on these with students every year , and trust us, they’re tough!)

So what’s the purpose of a personal statement, anyway?

Personal statements are meaningful reflections on an important part of your life. Their purpose is to give admissions officers insight into who you are. They are genuine, often vulnerable pieces of writing. And most importantly, the narrative you create with your personal statement should compel admissions officers to admit you.

It’s a lot to ask of a 650-word essay.

But writing about a passion project or extracurricular can be a fantastic way to communicate your interests, showcase your talents, and advocate for your admission.

With that in mind, let’s go over three important strategies for writing your personal statement about an extracurricular.

Convey Your Strengths (But Avoid Bragging)

All outstanding personal statements communicate a core strength to the admissions committee.

Think about it: when an essay clearly conveys a strength, it’s easier for an admissions officer to understand what the applicant would bring to the campus community.

Your strengths don’t have to be explicit, but they should color the overall theme of your essay.

In our work with students, some of the most common strengths that surface include intellectual curiosity, artistry, teamwork, wisdom, and problem-solving.

The key to writing a good personal statement is finding a balance between conveying your strengths and being authentic and vulnerable. You want your strengths to be clear, but you don’t want to come across as bragging.

Instead, the point is to show a genuine strength while still appearing real and human.

Focus on Outcomes

Personal statements about extracurriculars can go awry when they get too caught up in the details of the activity.

Remember: admissions officers don’t need to know every single second of how you spent your time. You want to hit only the key points that create a seamless story so you can spend the rest of your essay reflecting on meaning and outcomes.

Whatever your project is, consider these questions: What did you learn? How did you grow? How did you help others learn or grow? What did your project do to make the world a better place?

Emphasizing the outcomes will keep your essay focused on what matters most.

Implicitly and Explicitly Answer the “Why” Questions

The “why” questions are the questions that admissions officers are bound to have when they read your personal statement.

Once you introduce them to your passion project or extracurricular, they’ll wonder a lot of things, such as: Why did you choose this activity? Why did your activity matter to you? Why did it matter to others? And—the big question— why should it make me more compelled to admit you?

This last question is key.

Simply telling your admissions officer about your passion project or extracurricular is one thing. But the question you can’t loose sight of is how your passion project or extracurricular demonstrates that you should be admitted. You want to preemptively answer these types of questions in your statement. 

That doesn’t mean that you should come right out and say, “My passion project about educational equity means that I should be admitted.” Definitely don’t do that!

But it does mean writing about your activity in a way that draws on your strengths and outcomes so your admissions officers can envision you joining their campus community. Put another way, every essay you write should give your admission officer a clear reason to admit you to their campus.

Should I Write About My Extracurriculars in My Supplemental Essays

Refresher: what are supplemental essays.

Supplemental essays are additional essays some schools require applicants to write. At around 50 to 500 words, they’re typically shorter than a personal statement.

Since supplemental essays only go to one school, they’re the perfect opportunity for you to make the case that you’re a good fit for the school and its academic community. Your goal in a supplemental essay is to show values-based and academic alignment with the school in question.

Supplemental prompts often fall within a few standardized categories that ask questions like “Why are you interested in attending X?” or “How have you contributed to your community, and how will you contribute to ours?”

One of the most popular supplemental prompt types is the extracurricular activities essay . In these prompts, schools ask you to elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities. If your extracurricular relates to academics, you might also respond to an academic interest prompt.

In short, you’re allowed to write about your passion project or extracurricular in a supplemental essay whenever you feel it’s appropriate.

Make Relevant Connections to the School

Whether you’re responding to an extracurricular activity, academic interest, community, or other prompt type, strong supplemental essays often make explicit connections to the school.

Why do they do this?

Because that’s how you show that you’re a natural fit for the campus community.

It also shows admissions officers that you’ve done your research and are invested as an applicant.

Let’s say you have a passion project about Type 1 Diabetes . Through your research, you learned about Dr. Damiano’s ground-breaking Type 1 Diabetes research at Boston University. Now you have the perfect connection to work into your BU supplemental essay .

Emphasize Meaning and Impact

We’ve already gone over the importance of focusing on the outcomes of your extracurricular, but it’s worth restating.

Emphasizing the meaning and impact of your activity is especially important in supplemental essays because they’re shorter, more purpose-driven in response to a prompt, and often more straightforward than a personal statement.

Take this example essay (“Community Essay: The DIY-ers”) in response to one of MIT’s prompts. The applicant writes about a passion project, building a telescope, but doesn’t stop there. They also go on to explain the meaning of the project (how it helped them connect with their family) and the impact (how it shaped their career goals as an aspiring environmental engineer).

So as you write, be sure to draw out the meaning and impact of your activity for your admissions officers. Don’t leave the guesswork up to them.

Think About Values

The final way to take your supplemental essays to the next level is to think in terms of values.

If you’re choosing to pursue a passion project or spend a lot your free time time on an extracurricular, then chances are it’s something you value.

Use that to your advantage by aligning with values at the institutions you’re applying to. You can do this in any supplemental essay, but your case will be much stronger when you have a passion project or extracurricular to emphasize your alignment.

Perhaps you completed a passion project looking at corporate sustainability practices —something you’re really invested in. Well, let’s also say that you’re interested in the University of Pennsylvania because of Wharton’s Business, Energy, Environment, and Sustainability concentration.

Because of your passion project, you now have the ability to make a very natural, compelling case that your values line up with Penn’s. Showing your commitment to similar values will help admissions officers imagine all the ways you’d contribute to and benefit from their community.

Key Takeaways

We spend our time on what we value most. As a high schooler, you have limited time outside of your school day. Admissions officers appreciate seeing how you’ve committed yourself to projects, activities, and causes outside of the four walls of your high school.

Writing about an extracurricular or passion project in your personal statement or supplementals can be one of the best ways to expand on an activity that is important to you and forge significant connections with the schools you’re applying to.

No matter what kind of college essay you’re writing, avoid getting too caught up in the minutiae of your activity, and be sure to emphasize the meaning and outcomes.

Above all, take stock of your application narrative, and consider how your extracurriculars make you a more compelling candidate for admission.

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Last updated March 21, 2024

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How to Write an Extracurricular Activities Supplemental Essay

Admissions officer reviewed by Ben Bousquet, M.Ed Former Vanderbilt University

Written by Kylie Kistner, MA Former Willamette University Admissions

Key Takeaway

This post is one in a series of posts about the supplemental essays. You can read our core “how-to” supplemental post here .

What is an Extracurricular Activities supplemental essay?

Extracurricular supplemental essays are one of the most common kinds of supplemental essays. As you can probably guess, they ask you to write about an extracurricular activity—obviously!

But you might be wondering why schools ask you to expand on an extracurricular activity when you’ve already taken the time to curate your Common Application activities list. Since the Common App activities list only gives you 150 characters to explain your activities, Extracurricular essays are the perfect opportunity to show how you’ve interacted with your community through one of your activities.

Simply describing your extracurricular activity, however, probably isn’t enough. Admissions officers don’t need to hear about the logistics of your club soccer team's travel schedule or the detailed interpersonal dynamics of the restaurant you work at. They’ve heard those stories again and again.

What they really need to hear about is you . As a high school student, the way you spend your time outside of school says a lot about you. Admissions officers know that your time is limited and precious. Seeing the activities or causes you’ve dedicated yourself to reveals a lot about what’s important to you.

1: Vanderbilt: Vanderbilt offers a community where students find balance between their academic and social experiences. Please briefly elaborate on how one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences has influenced you.

(Psst: Want to know how to answer this prompt specifically? We have a post breaking down the Vanderbilt supplemental for you.)

2: Colorado College: Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (no more than 250 words)

Extracurricular essay strategy.

As with any supplemental essay, it’s important to approach Extracurricular supplementals strategically. In particular, your Extracurricular essays should do two main things.

Show magnitude, impact, and reach.

When admissions officers evaluate an applicant’s activities list or Extracurricular supplemental essay, they are looking at these three criteria. Let’s take a second to define each term:

Magnitude: How big of a deal is your extracurricular?

Impact: How are you and others affected by your extracurricular?

Reach: How many people do you reach by participating in your extracurricular?

Now, your Extracurricular essays don’t have to be manifestos about how great you are at your activity. In fact, they shouldn’t be.

But when it comes to your supplemental essay strategy, a good way to approach your Extracurricular essays is by writing meaningfully about how your extracurricular has helped you have an impact on the world. Since colleges want to admit students who positively influence the world around them, your extracurricular essays can help you show how you do just that.

Reflect on personal meaning and influence.

The best extracurricular essays are ones that revolve around personal meaning and influence.

Colleges ask you to respond to Extracurricular prompts because they want to know more about how your activities meaningfully impact you and the world around you.

A supplemental essay that only goes into details about your activity without reflecting on its meaning or influence doesn’t do enough to make your case for admission.

Let’s look at a quick example.

In Debate Club, I led my team to victory in the final round. We were debating about climate change solutions, and I brought it my all.

While that example elaborates on an extracurricular activity, it doesn’t make any effort to reflect on why the activity or the writer’s actions were important. Let’s look at a better excerpt:

My Debate Club was in the finals, and I was our last hope. But we were in luck: the topic was “climate change solutions,” something I’m deeply passionate about. By harnessing the support of my team and the weight of my environmental activism, we didn’t just win the finals. I also became more confident in my ability to advocate for change.

This second version speaks more to meaning. It goes beyond a simple explanation of the activity to expand on 1) why the activity was important and 2) what it meant to the writer.

Now that you have a few strategies under your belt, it’s time to start writing.

How to Write an Extracurricular Supplemental Essay

Step 1: Read the prompt closely.

If you’ve read any of our other supplemental essay guides , you might be familiar with this step. You may even be sick of hearing it. But it’s important to carefully dissect the prompt so you know exactly what admissions officers will be expecting you to address.

In the case of Extracurricular Activities essays, reading the prompt is essential. I’ll use the Vanderbilt and Colorado College prompts as an example.

Notice that the Vanderbilt prompt asks you to “briefly elaborate on how one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences has influenced you ,” while the Colorado College prompt simply says, “Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences.”

So what’s the difference? The Vanderbilt prompt asks you specifically to discuss how your activity has influenced you, but the Colorado College prompt gives you more freedom with what part of your activity you can focus on.

Step 2: Choose your extracurricular activity based on the values, impact, or lessons you want to show.

Remember that your personal statement, supplemental essays, and other application components work together to form a cohesive application narrative . Your essays should each show one of your best strengths, and together they should communicate your overall personal brand.

As you choose which extracurricular activity to write about, be sure that you’re thinking strategically about what you want your activity to say about you to an admissions officer.

Here’s a chart that might help you out. I’ve filled out an example first row so you can get the hang of it. Try filling in your own information to see what sticks.

Extracurricular Activity Impact Personal Meaning Strength(s)
Debate - Impact on my team because we won the finals
- National impact because it was the national competition
I learned how to speak up for what I care about. - Teamwork
- Advocate for justice

Step 3: Outline.

Okay, let’s say that you’re the debate team member we met earlier and you’re working on the Colorado College prompt. Since the prompt doesn’t specify which aspect of your extracurricular you should focus on, you get to choose what you think will be best.

Let’s also say that your personal statement already talks about your role on a team, so you want to supplement your personal statement (this is a supplemental essay, after all!) by focusing instead on how this activity has advanced your passion for climate justice.

Before you begin writing, it might be a good idea to outline what you want to write about to make sure your essay covers everything you want it to.

Here’s an example outline to get you thinking.

I. Introduction: Introduce the activity and lay out what’s at stake.

II. Body: Discuss impact, personal meaning, or reach.

III. Conclusion: Reflect on the activity and drive home how it showcases your chosen strength.

Clearly organizing your essay in a way that gives concrete details while focusing on meaning will help admissions officers understand the importance of your activity.

Extracurricular supplemental essay mistakes

Writing a thinly-veiled Academic Interest essay instead of an Extracurricular essay

Because you’re applying to college to be a student, some applicants think that you need to write about an extracurricular experience related to your academics. This kind of essay might include topics like debate, robotics club, Model United Nations, coding experience, independent research, and more.

Co-curricular activities that are related to your academic interests aren’t off-limits. But you do have to be careful not to overstate the academic importance of your activity. If admissions offices want to know more about one of your academic interests, then they’ll ask you to answer an Academic Interest prompt.

But because they’ve asked you to write an Extracurricular supplemental, then you’ll need to keep your focus on the “extra” part of “extracurricular.”

Going into too much detail at the expense of personal meaning.

I know—it’s hard not to unleash your passion and expertise when writing about your favorite extracurricular activity. Doing so can demonstrate its importance to you and your knowledge of the subject.

But the problem with going into too much detail is that it can outshine the true purpose of a supplemental essay, which is to show personal meaning and school fit.

Focusing on a superficial “non-extracurricular.”

If you’re not quite sure what extracurricular to write about, let me give you a quick warning. You need to write about a real extracurricular activity. Some students want to put a creative twist on the prompt and focus on an “extracurricular” that is more of a personal interest than an actual activity.

A good example of a superficial “non-extracurricular” would be an essay about going on long drives while listening to music. Sure, you might be able to write an interesting essay about that. But that kind of topic doesn’t fulfill the expectations of a supplemental essay, and it doesn’t give you the information you need to make your case for admission.

Extracurricular Supplemental Essay Example

Example essay: the journalist.

Colorado College: Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (no more than 250 words)

As an impressionable six-year-old, I watched Meryl Streep-portrayed Miranda Priestly shape fashion history with a single word of disgust. I longed for my words to have such an impact.

Now, as an editor-in-chief myself, I oversee daily operations of The Hallway , my high school’s newspaper. Instead of shaping global fashion trends, I impact my community by ensuring everyone stays informed.(( The writer highlights their community impact.))

My place as editor-in-chief was solidified when, in March of last year, we published a breaking story. After a tip to our newspaper email address, a fellow reporter and I uncovered an academic dishonesty scandal. We conducted interviews, dug into school files, and reviewed old test keys to discover the cheating. My reporter wrote the story, and I edited it and put it on the front page. Our story became so big that it was republished in our city’s local newspaper.(( This paragraph points to the student’s reach. They didn’t just impact their school community—their efforts also reached their city.))

Leading my team through this investigation taught me just how important journalism is.(( This paragraphs reflects on the meaning of the activity to the writer.)) Even when people might be upset with what you write, what’s most important is the truth. People can’t make decisions if they’re uninformed about the facts. And reporters can’t investigate and write those stories without the support of a leader who’s willing to put in the work, too.

I doubt I’ll ever predict what we’ll be wearing next spring. But I know that my words will continue to have a deep impact on my community, and I can’t wait to find the next big story at The Catalyst. ((The writer offers a brief but specific reference to the institution.))

Looking for more examples? We've got a bunch of other college essay examples for you to read —check them out!

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Extracurricular Activities Essay | Essay on Extracurricular Activities for Students and Children in English

February 13, 2024 by Prasanna

Extracurricular Activities Essay:  Educational philosophy refers to the importance of teaching students to be life long learners. There is much more to education and experience than classrooms, textbooks, and success.

Extracurricular activities provide opportunities to students to express and explore themselves in areas depending upon their interests, skills and talents.

You can also find more  Essay Writing  articles on events, persons, sports, technology and many more.

Long and Short Essays on Extracurricular Activities for Students and Kids in English

We provide the students with essay samples on a long Extracurricular Activities Essay of 500 words and a short essay of 150 words on the same topic for reference.

Long Essay on Extracurricular Activities 500 Words in English

Long Essay on Extracurricular Activities is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10.

Extracurricular activities teach students to work as a “unit” and be team players. It is a non–academic activity and serves as a part of development modules which can make the students think from a somewhat simpler point of view of themselves and the world around them.

Extracurricular activities are a kind of learning method that includes observation, practise and experience. Students can perform better in both the internal and external skills such as self-acceptance, self-esteem, sexual orientation, career goals and others. In the article of Curriculum planning, sustained development and reforms by the country’s educational purposes as manifested.

These activities are ongoing effort towards further developing the potential of individuals a holistic and integrated manner to produce individuals who are intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically balanced and harmonious based on a firm belief in truth and discipline. These activities help to improve the academic scores as well as social life.

Extracurricular activities produce knowledgeable and competent beings, who possess high moral standards and the ones who are responsible and capable of achieving a great extent of personal well- being, as well as being able to contribute to the progress of the family, the society and the nation at large.

Mostly when we talk about extracurricular, what directly strikes our minds are related to the different periods allotted for activities like hockey, swimming, equestrian club, culinary club and many more. But, we have to realize that these activities are not only related to any schools, clubs or uniform bodies but also Representative Council and Committee of Students and so on is categorized as extracurricular.

There are mainly three types of extracurricular, first being the society. Society has categorized as a club or an organization for students who have specific interest in a societal matter like public talk. Second is uniform bodies, as mentioned above, is an organization that involved the same uniform that they wear as their identity. Last is sports and games, and this is the most common as well as popular one which involved students to spend time for fun as can maintain good health.

Students like to join many extracurricular activities, while some other students do not. Thus, their level of involvement and interest in the extracurricular activities limited to the desired and willingness of themselves. One of the benefits of joining these extracurricular activities is getting a chance of being a leader, to develop, management skills, time management, ability to handle stress, talk delegation, decision making, carrying out meetings and many more.

Disadvantages of extracurricular activities are the failure in time management, which inversely effect on academic and creates an imbalance. Being, an active student is excellent rather than passive. Not every student that join the activities or programmes can manage their student’s life. Proper time management can help students in scheduling their study time, involvement in extracurricular and other tasks. Moreover, the most important thing is students should be alert about the trend of their schedule and proper use of it. Extracurricular activities, when merged with academics, will help students learn effectively.

Short Essay on Extracurricular Activities 150 Words in English

Short Essay on Extracurricular Activities is usually given to classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Students who take part in extra curriculum activities improve their academic scores and social life. It also helps to reduce many peer pressure related problems and enrich the lives of students, their families and our communities. Extracurricular activities also help to shape a person’s movement within him or herself, in the community and their performance in schools. Schools are all over the world should highly encourage students to be in some activity.

Extracurricular activities help to improve student’s academics though they can also harm how grades turn out. There is a requirement for a boost for most of the students so that they can participate in activities. These activities help to develop the work ethic, and it enriches the personality of the students. It caters the student’s voluntary involvement that is being present at the external realm of the academic curriculum for all-round development.

10 Lines on Extracurricular Activities in English

  • Extracurricular activities help students to pursue interests outside the standardized education.
  • These activities encourage students to expose themselves to the students of their age permissively.
  • These activities involve the student in various activities and help to develop a work ethic.
  • Extracurricular activities enrich the student’s personality as it includes voluntary involvement.
  • An extracurricular activity helps a student with responsibility and time management.
  • These activities help to improve the academic scores as well as social life.
  • Extracurricular activities are entirely instrumental in building self–esteem and leadership quality.
  • These activities give the students the scope and the spirit of healthy competition.
  • Extracurricular activities help to exhibit a person’s potential in the area of interest, skill or talent.
  • Extracurricular activities, when merged with academics, will help students learn effectively.

FAQ’s on Extracurricular Activities Essay

Question 1. What is an extracurricular activity?

Answer: Extracurricular activities provide opportunities to students to express and explore themselves in areas depending upon their interests, skills and talents

Question 2.  State the importance of extracurricular activities?

Answer: Extracurricular activities enriches the student’s personality as it includes voluntary involvement. These activities help to improve the academic scores as well as social life.

Question 3.  Mention how extracurricular activities are helpful?

Answer: Extracurricular activities give the students the scope and the spirit of healthy competition. These activities, when merged with academics, will help students learn effectively.

Question 4. What are the pros and cons of extracurricular activity?

Answer: Extracurricular activities help to improve student’s academics though they can also harm how grades turn out. It enriches the personality of the students.

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Student Development and Extra-Curricular Activities Essay

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Introduction

Extra-curricular activities and academic performance.

The learning process does not end with the classroom experience. Rather, a complete learning process involves personal development and healthy participation. This analytical treatise attempts to examine the significance of student development and extra-curricular activities on a student’s academic achievements.

Extra-curricular activities are vital towards positive academic performance. According to Stephens and Schaben (2002), “a study by the United States Department of Education revealed that students who participate in co-curricular activities are three times more likely to have a grade point average of 3.0 or better” (Stephens & Schaben, 2002, para. 4) than students who do not participate in these activities.

Extra-curricular activities such as sports, drama, debate, and community service are important in improving the confidence, engagement, and reasoning among the learners. Reflectively, the learner is involved in these activities and is expected to have creative input in the class environment. The engagement is noted in resource materials distribution and level attentiveness since extra-curricular activities improve the development of the brain.

Students who are involved in extra-curricular activities are more likely to create a balance between the challenges of learning and the expectations. For instance, in a relatively diverse classroom environment, fear and low self esteem is a common occurrence especially when the learners have to cope with certain challenging exercises.

Subsequently, limited space for activating positive self esteem may result into lack of confidence and diminished courage to practice inquisitive learning. Fortunately, extra-curricular activities are successful in relieving the mind to inclusive participation in the academic calendar and assessments.

Since participatory learning triggers creativity and inquisition, interaction with peers during the extra-curricular activities create a comfortable room for boosting self esteem irrespective of physical or cultural variations which may exist in the academic endeavors. As the learner interacts with peers, confidence in expression and self ingenuity naturally surface. In the process of learning from the peers, a learner will develop lifelong skills such as better concentration, critical thinking, and objectivity in handling the class assignments.

Generally, use of interactive and inclusive mindset developed through participation in the extra-curricular activities offers a learner a comprehensive approach in understanding acculturation and impact of the same on learning as a process and a system. In the process of internalizing competency, secondary aspects of inclusive learning through direct participation in extra-curricular activities facilitates formal and informal establishment of a healthy environment for better performance.

There are several opportunities that come with participation in extra-curriculum activities. For instance, sports and drama promote higher self contempt and morale to attend the school regularly. As a result, a student will be able to mould his or her social being. In addition, these activities promote leadership and teamwork spirit. In the end, the connectedness to academic programs and assessments will boost achievements within the learning environment.

However, participation in some extra-curricular activities may lower the academic achievements of a learner when learner is coaxed to participate without full consent. Since student development starts from within, it is important to give the learners the freedom of choice for the activities to have maximum impact in their academic achievements.

In conclusion, it is apparent that extra-curricular activities often motivate students since they form part of their daily interests. Besides, these activities attach the learners to academic activities. Through peer interaction, a learner will become a team player and participatory leader. These skills are part of greater academic achievements.

Stephens, L. J., & Schaben, L. A. (2002). The effect of interscholastic sports participation on academic achievement of middle level school activities. National Association of Secondary School Principals Bulletin , 86(2), 34-42.

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Essay on Extracurricular Activities

Students are often asked to write an essay on Extracurricular Activities in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Extracurricular Activities

What are extracurricular activities.

Extracurricular activities are things you do outside of your regular school work. They can be clubs, sports, art, music, or volunteering. These activities help you learn new skills, make friends, and discover what you like to do.

Benefits of Joining

Joining these activities can make you happier at school. They teach you how to work with others and give you a break from studying. They also help you do better in school and can lead to better jobs in the future.

Types of Activities

There are many types of activities to choose from. You can play soccer, join a science club, or learn to play an instrument. It’s important to pick something you enjoy.

Getting Involved

To get involved, ask your teachers or friends about different activities. Try out a few and stick with the one you like best. It’s a fun way to learn and grow outside the classroom.

250 Words Essay on Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities are things you do outside of regular school classes. They can be sports, clubs, debate, drama, school publications, student council, and other social events. These activities help students learn new skills, make friends, and find what they love to do.

The Importance of Extracurricular Activities

Joining these activities is important for several reasons. First, they help you grow as a person. You learn how to work with others, solve problems, and manage your time. They also make school more fun because you get to do things you enjoy. Colleges and jobs often look for people who have been involved in extracurricular activities because it shows you’re a well-rounded person.

Types of Extracurricular Activities

There are many kinds of activities to choose from. Sports like soccer, basketball, and swimming teach teamwork and discipline. Clubs like chess, science, or art encourage you to explore your interests. Activities like drama or music can help you be creative and confident.

Balance is Key

It’s important to balance schoolwork with these activities. Too much of anything can be bad, so make sure you have time for both. It’s okay to pick one or two activities that you really enjoy and focus on them.

Extracurricular activities are a great part of school life. They help you learn new things, meet new people, and have a good time. Remember to balance them with your studies, and you’ll have a great experience.

500 Words Essay on Extracurricular Activities

The benefits of joining in.

When you join an extracurricular activity, you get to enjoy a lot of good things. First, you can make new friends who like the same things you do. This can make school more fun because you have buddies to share your interests with. Also, you learn how to work with other people as a team, which is a skill you will use your whole life.

These activities also help you become better at managing your time. You have to figure out how to fit your homework, your activity, and your rest time into each day. This makes you more organized and responsible.

Discovering New Passions

Staying healthy and active.

Sports and other active clubs are great for keeping your body healthy. Running around and playing games is not just fun, it also makes your body stronger. It is important to move and not just sit all day, and sports are a great way to do that. Plus, being active can also make you feel happier and more ready to learn when you are in class.

Getting Ready for the Future

Believe it or not, extracurricular activities can even help you in the future when you are looking for a job. They teach you how to be a leader, how to solve problems, and how to talk to other people. These are all things that bosses like to see when they are hiring someone. Also, if you want to go to college, they like to see that you have done activities outside of class too.

Choosing the Right Activities

Remember, the most important part is to have fun and try your best. You do not have to be the best at something to enjoy it. Just by being there and giving it a go, you are already doing something great. So go out there, join a club or a team, and start having fun!

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Complete List of Extracurricular Activities – 250+ Examples

February 26, 2024

There are many reasons to participate in extracurriculars. They’ll allow you to develop skills and widen your social circle. Plus, they’re fun! Moreover, extracurriculars are not only personally and professionally enriching, but can also be a critical component of your college applications. In fact, there are ten blank spaces for extracurricular activities on the Common Application. Now, do you need ten extracurricular activities? Nope. While you should feel free to experiment during your freshman and sophomore years, it is fine—preferrable, actually—to focus on a few core activities your junior and senior years. That is, focus on quality over quantity (scroll down for 250 extracurricular activity examples).

In addition, one’s ability to participate in extracurricular activities is shaped by a number of factors including academic load, personal and familial obligations, economic circumstances, and availability. It’s difficult to join a ski club if you live in Florida, write for the student newspaper if your high school doesn’t have one, or participate in after-school activities when you have younger siblings to babysit or a part-time retail job. Admissions officers will account for these factors, and you should as well.

Why Are Extracurriculars Important?

Different schools place different weight on extracurriculars. Generally, the more competitive the school, the more your extracurriculars can help you stand out amongst a field of academically-qualified applicants.

More specifically, extracurriculars:

  • Give insights into your priorities and passions.
  • Demonstrate commitment and initiative.
  • Establish your interest in a prospective major. This is more important for some majors than others. Examples: pre-med, computer science, theater.

Extracurricular Activities Examples (Continued)

However, contrary to popular belief, college admissions officers are people, not robots. They are focused on accepting applicants who will make up a well-rounded student body , not necessarily on accepting individual students who check each and every box. This distinction is critical. Treat the activities section of your application as an opportunity to show what you have to offer to your future college community. What does your list of activities say about you? What do you want it to say about you? For example, perhaps you participated in only one club in high school—a single line item on the activities section of your application. Is that “bad?” Well, no. Let’s expand the scenario and say that you were a member of said club all four years of high school, eventually served as Vice-President, and participated in regional activities.

Now, what does that one activity say about you? It says that you are dedicated and secure in your interests. Conversely, let’s say you participated in eight different extracurriculars—some sporadically, some regularly. What does this say about you? You are a joiner. You are not afraid to experiment, but know how and when to prioritize. Both of these hypothetical students are promising candidates.

When reviewing extracurriculars, college admissions officers are looking for evidence of:

  • Participation
  • Achievement
  • Community Engagement
  • Relevant (or Unexpected) Interests
  • Social Awareness
  • Personal Growth

Typically, what your list of extracurriculars communicates about you is the most valuable part of this application section.

What Are Extracurriculars?

Whether you are just starting to explore extracurricular opportunities or are already considering how to complete the Common App activities section, it can be helpful to consider the range of activities. What constitutes an extracurricular activity? What are your options? Which extracurriculars fit your interests?

As the list of extracurriculars below shows, the list of potential activities is quite expansive. Use this list to brainstorm ideas or get a sense of the range of possibilities. In fact, if you are researching extracurriculars early enough in your high school career, you might even be able to establish a club or chapter that doesn’t yet exist at your school or in your community.

Alternatively, by perusing this list, you might find that are already participating in an activity without even realizing it “counts.” What do you do after school? For fun? During the weekends? That is, before you despair, are you sure that you have no extracurriculars ? No matter your circumstances, it is highly unlikely that you have nothing to include in this section of your application. Remember that an extracurricular can be any activity not related to coursework . This includes both formal activities and informal hobbies, paid work and volunteer positions, clubs and sports, etc.

List of Extracurricular Activities Divided by Category

Many of these activities could easily fit into multiple or alternate categories. For example, some language clubs are more academic and founded by and for students interested in learning and practicing a language, whereas others function more as cultural affinity groups.

Numerous organizations, clubs, or teams listed are national organizations, with students joining or belonging to a local or school-specific chapter. Where possible, we’ve linked to the national organization for more information.

Academic Clubs or Teams

Do you love science and plan to major in pre-med? An anatomy or biology club might be for you! Are you interested in practicing your Spanish skills outside of class? There might be a club for that! Join a club or an academic team because it interests you, not because you think it will look good (or, at least, not just because you think it will look good).

These groups can vary in competitiveness and levels of commitment. Academic competitions or challenges often entail some degree of travel, as well as opportunities for prizes and scholarships.

  • Academic Decathlon
  • Academic Triathlon
  • Adopt-a-Physicist
  • American Mathematics Competitions
  • American Regions Mathematics League
  • Anatomy Club
  • Arabic Club
  • Architecture Club
  • Art History Club
  • Astronomy Club
  • Biology Club
  • Business Club
  • Caribou Mathematics Competition
  • Chemistry Club
  • Chemistry Olympiad
  • Chinese Club
  • Clean Tech Challenge
  • Conrad Challenge (annual innovation and entrepreneurial competition)
  • Creative Communication Poetry Contest
  • EconChallenge
  • Economics Club
  • Electronics Club
  • Engineering Club
  • English Club
  • French Club
  • German Club
  • History Club
  • Kids Philosophy Slam
  • Life Sciences Club
  • Literature Club
  • Math League
  • National Academic Quiz Tournament
  • National Geography Bee
  • National History Bee
  • National Science Bee
  • National Spelling Bee
  • Odyssey of the Mind
  • Philosophy Club
  • Physics Club
  • Psychology Club
  • Robotics Club
  • Russian Club
  • Science Olympiad
  • Spanish Club
  • Trivia and Quiz Clubs
  • Web Design/Coding Club
  • Writing Club

Affinity Groups

This list is not comprehensive, as these types of groups tend to vary according to the demographic make-up of one’s high school or region. Likewise, the names of these groups can vary significantly. Don’t see a group that serves you or your peers? Establish one!

  • African American Student Alliance
  • American Sign Language Club
  • Asian Students Association
  • Association of Latin-American Students
  • Autism Awareness Club
  • Black Students Alliance
  • Black Students Union
  • Buddhist Club
  • Caribbean Culture Club
  • Chinese Student Association
  • Diversity Awareness Club
  • Fellowship of Christian Athletes
  • Feminist Club
  • Filipino-American Club
  • Gay-Straight Alliance
  • Indian Students Association
  • International Students Association
  • International Women’s Club
  • Jewish Culture Club
  • Jewish Student Union
  • Latino Students Union
  • LGBTQ2S+ Club
  • Multicultural Student Union
  • Muslim Student Union
  • Muslim Students Association
  • National Organization for Women
  • Nigerian Student Association
  • Pacific Islander Student Association
  • Persian Club
  • Queer Student Alliance
  • Refugee Support and Awareness Club
  • South Asian Student Association

Do you have a creative side, or are you planning in majoring in art or design?

  • 3-D Modeling
  • 3-D Printing Club
  • Anime/Manga Club
  • Blacksmithing
  • Fashion Design
  • Graphic Design
  • Jewelry Making
  • Knitting and Crochet
  • Photography
  • Video Game Development
  • Woodworking

Community Involvement & Service Organizations

Many school clubs or societies require community service, as do many scholarships. Likewise, some college applications provide a separate section for listing your community service. However, you might also consider volunteering more regularly or joining a service organization. Not only can it be more enriching than a one-off volunteer opportunity, but it also counts as an extracurricular. There are many established service organizations, or you can look up local groups and reach out about volunteer opportunities.

  • Adopt-a-Highway
  • American Cancer Society
  • Amnesty International
  • Animal Rights Club
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of America
  • Do Something
  • Environmental Club
  • Food Pantry/Soup Kitchen Volunteer
  • Girls Lean International
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • Hospital Volunteer
  • Humane Society
  • Kiwanis International
  • March of Dimes
  • Missionary Work
  • Nursing Home Volunteer
  • Peer Tutoring
  • Red Cross Club
  • Religious Institution Involvement (Church, Mosque, Synagogue, Temple Involvement)
  • UNICEF High School Clubs
  • Volunteer Fire Department
  • Youth Groups

Employment & Professional Development

Are you worried about your extracurriculars because you want or need to work instead? Well, don’t. Holding down a job is serious business, and demonstrates responsibility and resolve.

  • Educators Rising (for future educators)
  • Entrepreneurship Club
  • HOSA (organization for future health professionals)
  • Internships (paid and unpaid)
  • Lifeguarding
  • Landscaping
  • Pet sitting
  • Retail Work
  • Service Industry Work (waiting tables, housecleaning, etc.)
  • Teacher Assistance
  • Tutoring (paid and volunteer)

Government, Leadership & Activism

From serving on your student council to volunteering for a local (or national) political campaign, there are many government-adjacent extracurricular opportunities. Other ways of cultivating your leadership skills including checking out one of the many established youth leadership groups or working with an organization that represents your political interests and concerns.

  • Civil Air Patrol
  • The Climate Initiative
  • Current Events Club
  • Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA)
  • Foreign Affairs Club
  • Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
  • Girl Scouts
  • High School Democrats of America
  • Junior ROTC
  • Junior State of America
  • Mock Trial Club
  • Model Congress Club
  • Model United Nations
  • National Beta Club
  • National Speech & Debate Association
  • National Teen Age Republicans
  • Political Campaign Involvement
  • Racial Justice Club
  • Sierra Student Coalition
  • Sunrise Movement
  • Student Council
  • Student Government
  • Team Enough
  • Young Democrats of America

Honor Societies

Commitment level and degrees of selectiveness can vary.

  • Mu Alpha Theta (Mathematics Honor Society)
  • National Honor Society
  • Quill and Scroll (International Honor Society for High School Journalists)
  • Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society
  • Science National Honors Society
  • Tri-M Music Honor Society

Media & Writing

Even if there is no club or group that fits your media or writing interests, anyone can start a blog or a podcast!

  • Blogging (personal or through an established web publication)
  • Creative Writing (poetry, fan fiction)
  • Culture Reviews (books, films, television)
  • Literary Magazine
  • Playwriting Club
  • Radio (school or local station)
  • Scriptwriting Club
  • School Newspaper
  • Sports Writing
  • Television (school or local channel)
  • Yearbook Committee

Music & Performance Art

Remember that this category includes more than performance. Do you love theater but have terrible stage fright? Join the stage crew to help with costumes or design. Do you want to support musical groups but can’t carry a tune? Offer to do the lighting or work as an usher during concerts.

  • Acapella Group
  • Chamber Music Group
  • Choreography
  • Chorus/Choir (school or community)
  • Comedy Club
  • Concert Band
  • Dance (ballet, jazz, modern, tap, etc.)
  • Improv Club
  • International Thespian Society
  • Marching Band
  • Slam Poetry Club
  • Spoken Word
  • Theater (school or community, acting or production)

Special Interests

There is (or can be) a club for any interest.

  • Astrology Club
  • Bridge Club
  • Cooking Club
  • Dungeons and Dragons Club
  • Forensics Team
  • LARPing (Live Action Role Playing)
  • Pokemon Club
  • Renaissance Faires
  • Society for Creative Anachronism

Sports & Recreation (Teams and Clubs)

You don’t have to be the MVP to get (and stay) involved with athletic extracurriculars. In fact, pursuing a sport even if you’re not an all-star demonstrates commitment and teamwork. If your school doesn’t offer a sport, look for recreational or intramural opportunities.

  • Bird Watching
  • Bodybuilding
  • Cheerleading
  • Climbing Club
  • Cross Country
  • Equestrian Club
  • Flag Football
  • Hiking Club
  • Intramural Sports
  • Marital Arts
  • Quidditch Club
  • Skateboarding
  • Skiing & Snowboarding
  • Surfing Club
  • Track & Field
  • Ultimate Frisbee Club
  • Weightlifting

Remember, you can always start a club if you’re intrigued by one on this list and it is not already available at your school or in your region!

Other blogs that may be of interest include:

  • Computer Science Competitions for High Schoolers
  • 98 Passion Project Ideas
  • 1oo Best Clubs to Start in High School
  • NHS Essay Examples
  • Should I Join NSHSS or NHS?
  • Extracurricular Activities

Jordan Conley

Jordan received her BA from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA, where she majored in Religious Studies and Classics. Following her undergraduate work, she spent several years teaching elementary school--first in northern Thailand as a fellow with Princeton in Asia, then in Bozeman, Montana. Jordan went on to receive a Master's in Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School, and is currently working toward completing her PhD at Boston University, focusing on religions of the Ancient Mediterranean.

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Complete List of Extracurricular Activities: 100s of Examples

Other High School , College Admissions , Extracurriculars

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How do you like to spend your time after school? Did you know that how you choose to spend this time could be one of the most important ways you shape your future?

Extracurricular activities are a critical component of your college application, and you need to impress colleges with your interests. But you might not know what good extracurricular activities look like or what you should be spending your time on.

We've got you covered here in our guide of hundreds of examples of extracurricular activities. Read on to get some inspiration for how to spend your valuable free time during high school!

Worried about college applications?   Our world-class admissions counselors can help. We've guided thousands of students to get into their top choice schools with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies.

What Is An Extracurricular Activity?

An extracurricular activity can be almost anything that isn't required for high school credit or paid employment that you do while you're in high school. These activities will become very important later, such as when you are applying to colleges, because they help you develop your talents, interests, and passions. They can also teach you practical skills like time management.

With so many options out there, all students should be able to find an extracurricular that they are interested in and can develop a passion for!

Remember that extracurricular activities do not have to be sponsored by your school, so you should also consider things that you do with your family or within your community as viable options.

Below I've listed many popular activities that you may not have thought of as extracurricular activities. Take a look at the list and see if your activities are already on the list, or if anything you hadn't considered before catches your eye.

Of course, this list isn't complete, because you can turn almost any interest into an extracurricular. If you are actively involved in something that you don't see here—meaning you spend a significant amount of time doing an activity that is allowing you to develop a talent or interest, be a leader, or help out your community—then you should definitely consider that an extracurricular activity, as well!

What doesn't necessarily count as an extracurricular? Any interest of yours that's very self-centered is probably not going to make the cut.

An extracurricular should be an activity that demonstrates a talent or primarily contributes value to other people. If you have to really contort to find justification for something being an extracurricular (my taking drivers ed will make the roads safer for everyone! Keeping my vaccinations up to date helps immunocompromised people!), then chances are, it won't count as an extracurricular .

There's a spectrum here, though—for example, improving your hair quality or braiding hair for fun isn't really an extracurricular. But starting a YouTube channel around beauty tips or creating a club for teen health enthusiasts definitely does.

But if you're still unsure if something counts as an extracurricular, or you need some inspiration, then read on for our complete list of extracurricular activities.

How Should You Use This Extracurricular Activities List?

Not sure how you should use this list of extracurriculars? Just follow the six steps outlined in this section, and you'll be on your way to choosing the best extracurricular for you!

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Step 1: Brainstorm Extracurricular Ideas

What are your interests? Have you always wanted to try out something related to art, but weren't sure if it would be worth your time, or if it would be viewed favorably by a college admissions team? Keep in mind that colleges don't really care about what kind of activity you are doing—instead, they want to see that you are doing something that you are passionate about. So make a list of all of your interests—both things that you are already interested in and other areas that intrigue you and you'd like to learn more about.

Step 2: See Which Extracurriculars Fit Your Interests

Look through the list below and see if any of the activities match your interests. You may see some ways that you hadn't thought of before to pursue an interest! Keep in mind that there can be a lot of different outlets for each interest you have. For example, if you want to play an instrument, you can take private classes, play in your school's marching band, play in a community concert band, or work as part of the orchestra for your school's next musical.

Step 3: Research Different Extracurricular Options

Research to see if these activities are available at your high school or in your community. If there is something you are very passionate about that's not already offered, consider starting up a group of your own. But if you aren't sure that the interest will stick and you only want to try it out, it's probably best to find a different outlet for your curiosity.

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Extracurriculars List by Category

This list is organized into categories to make finding an activity that matches your interests easier. However, we recommend at least skimming all the extracurricular options below, even if you think they're categories you're not interested in. You never know what might catch your eye!

Note: not all schools will offer formal clubs in all these categories. If you see something you're interested in that your school doesn't offer, try joining a community group or even a national or online group to explore the interest further! Many of these topics are available as summer camp activities, as well.

You can also consider starting a club at your school if you are looking for a way to get involved in something you are interested in while also showing leadership and initiative.

These activities are based on a certain academic subject, and include both clubs (groups to discuss and practice certain subjects) and competitive teams. Academic teams have competitions that take place at all levels, from local to national.

  • Adopt-A-Physicist
  • Architecture Club
  • Astronomy Club
  • Biology Club
  • Chemistry Club
  • Economics Club
  • Electronics Club
  • Engineering Club
  • English Club
  • Distributive Education Clubs of America
  • History Club
  • Life Sciences Club
  • Literature Club
  • Literary Magazine Club
  • Mu Alpha Theta: Math Honor Society
  • National Honor Society
  • Peer Tutoring
  • Poetry Club
  • Physics Club
  • Psychology Club
  • Quill and Scroll
  • Robotics Club
  • Science National Honors Society
  • Trivia and Quiz Clubs
  • Web design/coding club
  • Writing Club

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Academic Competitive Teams

  • Academic Decathlon
  • Academic Triathlon
  • American Mathematics Competitions
  • American Regions Math League
  • Caribou Mathematics Competition
  • Chemistry Olympiad
  • Clean Tech Competition
  • Creative Communication Poetry Contest
  • EconChallenge
  • Educators Rising
  • FIRST Robotics Competition
  • High School Innovation Challenge
  • Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
  • Kids Philosophy Slam
  • Math League
  • National Academic Quiz Tournament
  • National French Contest
  • National History Bee
  • National Spelling Bee
  • Odyssey of the Mind
  • Poetry Out Loud
  • Questions Unlimited
  • Science Bowl
  • Science Olympiad
  • Other Trivia and Quiz Competition Teams

These activities will allow you to express yourself artistically—on paper, through a lens, on stage, and through several other media. Unleash your creativity!

  • Anime/Manga Club
  • Art: drawing, painting
  • Blacksmithing
  • Fashion design
  • Graphic Design
  • Jewelry Making
  • Photography
  • High School Theater Program
  • Community Theater Program
  • Video Game Development Club
  • Woodworking

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Cultural and Language

These activities may help you reconnect with your roots, or allow you to get a taste of the world's diversity without ever leaving home. There are many other cultural and language-related activities that you can participate in. Some of the most common ones are listed below.

  • African American Student Alliances/Clubs
  • American Sign Language Club
  • Chinese Club
  • French Club
  • German Club
  • International Food Club
  • Pacific Islanders Club
  • Russian Club
  • South Asian Student Society
  • Spanish Club

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These activities will allow you to get involved in your community.

  • Community Festivals
  • Do Something
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • Kids Helping Kids
  • Mountaineers Club
  • Sisters on the Runway

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Interested in making a difference in your school, community, or on a larger scale, through policy? Try a government-related activity to see if this could be a career interest for you!

  • Community Youth Board
  • Student Council
  • Student Government
  • Community Government

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These activities could be a fit if you're a natural leader, skilled at motivating, directing, and inspiring others.

  • National Beta Club
  • Peer Leadership Group

If you love writing and communicating, consider getting involved in a media activity to help bring news and information to your school or community.

  • School or local magazine/journal
  • School or local newspaper
  • School or local radio station
  • School or local television channel
  • School or local web site
  • Work on a movie
  • Yearbook Committee

body_news

If you are interested in learning about discipline, teamwork, and leadership, then you may be interested in a military-based extracurricular activity.

  • Civil Air Patrol
  • Junior ROTC

body_rotc

If you want to try playing an instrument or singing, there are many opportunities to try music-related activities. These are usually available both in your school community and in your wider community.

  • Any musical interest club
  • School Chorus/Choir
  • Community Chorus/Choir
  • Church Chorus/Choir
  • Chamber Music Group
  • Concert Band
  • Singing Lessons
  • Marching Band
  • Your own band
  • Tri-M Music Honor Society

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Performance Art

Love to ham it up? You'll find there are many outlets both in your school and in your community to get on a stage and make an audience laugh and cry.

  • Comedy Club
  • Choreography
  • Classic Film Club
  • Film Production Club
  • International Thespian Society
  • Slam Poetry Club
  • High School Theater Group
  • Community Theater Group

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You can usually find these groups in your community.

  • Church groups
  • Fellowship of Christian Athletes
  • Jewish Student Union
  • Missionary work
  • Youth Groups

Roleplaying/Fantasy

Did you know your love of fantasy can also be an extracurricular activity? Participating in one of these groups can show a dedication to many different creative skills.

  • The Civil War Reenactors
  • Dungeons and Dragons Club
  • Gamers Club
  • LARPing (Live Action Role Playing)
  • Renaissance Faires

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Social Activism

These groups may have chapters in your school or in your community. If there's a cause you're passionate about, seek out the local group that supports it.

  • Amnesty International
  • Animal Rights Club
  • Breast Cancer Awareness
  • Cancer Foundation
  • Environmental Club
  • Fair Trade Club
  • Gay-Straight Alliance
  • Girls Lean International
  • NOW —National Organization for Women
  • SADD —Students Against Destructive Decisions

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Special Interest

You will often find these groups in your school or supported by the community. If you have a special interest in something that you can't find a local group for, consider creating one or join a national group. You can communicate with other people who have the same interest online, and attend meet-ups throughout the year.

  • Equestrian Club
  • Entrepreneurship Club
  • Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
  • Girl Scouts
  • Horticulture Club
  • Model Railroads
  • Quilt Making

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Sports and Recreation

You probably already know about the sports teams at your schools, but there are also many opportunities to participate outside of those. Try doing extramural sports, join a club league in your community, or consider coaching a youth team.

  • Baseball and softball
  • Bodybuilding
  • Cheerleading
  • Climbing Club
  • Hiking Club
  • Intramural Sports
  • Martial Arts
  • Ping Pong Club
  • Quidditch Clubs
  • Skate Board Club
  • Track & Field
  • Ultimate Frisbee Club

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There are a lot of ways to make a difference in your local community. Look for volunteer groups in your school, your church, or elsewhere in your neighborhood. There are many websites, such as Volunteer Match , that can help you find a local community service project that is of interest to you.

  • Adopt-a-Highway
  • Animal rescue
  • Best Buddies International
  • Church outreach
  • Hospital volunteer
  • International volunteer program
  • Red Cross Club
  • UNICEF High School Clubs
  • Volunteer Fire Department
  • Work with a local charity
  • Work with a local soup kitchen

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If none of the above activities are for you, you're still in luck. Why? You can always create your own extracurricular activity!

Did you know that almost any hobby can be turned into an extracurricular activity?

Starting a business or a website, volunteering, or any unusual hobby can be turned into something that you can write about for college. And if it's unique enough to not be on this list, you can be sure that it will be something new for the college admissions committee, as well!

What matters most is that it's an outlet for your passion, creativity, and leadership.

So instead of thinking you don't do anything interesting, take the opportunity to find a new passion, or to turn something you already love into an activity you can share with the world.

If you think there's something we left off that you want to see something added to this list, leave a comment below.

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What's Next?

Now that you know what extracurriculars look like, read about how to write about extracurriculars on your college application.

Did you know that you can use community service work to help pay for college? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to win community service scholarships.

Want your extracurriculars to really stand out? Check out our guide of three amazing extracurricular examples that are sure to impress colleges.

Thinking ahead to college applications?   If you’re a freshman, sophomore, or junior worried about college admissions, our world-class admissions counselors can help. We know exactly what kinds of students colleges want to admit and can make sure your profile shines.   PrepScholar Admissions combines world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. Start your mentoring package today to join the thousands of students we've helped get into their top choice schools:

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Mary Ann holds a BA in Classics and Russian from the University of Notre Dame, and an MA from University College London. She has years of tutoring experience and is also passionate about travel and learning languages.

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Home — Essay Samples — Education — Extracurricular Activities — 250-Word Extracurricular Example

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Balancing Extracurricular Activities and Schoolwork in Middle School: Tips for Parents

As your child transitions into the tween and middle school years, life becomes more complex—not just for them, but for you as well. Balancing schoolwork with extracurricular activities can feel like a juggling act. At this stage, your child is likely exploring new interests, testing their boundaries, and facing increased academic demands. As a parent, you want to support their passions while ensuring they stay on top of their schoolwork.

Finding that balance is essential for their development and well-being. Here are some practical tips specifically designed to help parents of tweens and middle schoolers manage life in and out of school effectively.

1. Help Them Prioritize and Set Goals

Tweens and middle schoolers are at an age where they’re beginning to discover who they are and what they’re passionate about. It’s important to help them identify their priorities and set clear goals for both academics and extracurricular activities.

Encourage your child to think about what they enjoy most and where they want to focus their energy. Guide them in ranking their activities by importance and have a conversation about what commitments are realistic alongside their increasing school responsibilities. This approach teaches them to make thoughtful decisions about how they spend their time.

2. Develop a Structured but Flexible Schedule

At this age, your child is ready to take on more responsibility for managing their time. Work together to create a structured weekly schedule that balances schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and downtime. Include dedicated time for homework, study sessions, and projects, as well as for the activities they’re passionate about.

A visual schedule can be a great tool for helping your tween or middle schooler stay organized. However, it’s also important to build in flexibility to accommodate unexpected changes, like additional assignments or rescheduled practices. This teaches them how to adapt to life’s unpredictability while maintaining a routine.

3. Teach Advanced Time Management Skills

As your child’s responsibilities grow, so does the need for strong time management skills. Teach them to estimate how long tasks will take and develop strategies for staying on top of their workload. Techniques such as breaking down large projects into smaller tasks or using a planner to track assignments and deadlines can be especially helpful.

Encourage your middle schooler to take ownership of their schedule. This not only fosters independence but also prepares them for the increased demands they’ll face in high school and beyond. Establish ways to reflect on how it’s going and where schedules may need to be adjusted.

4. Keep an Eye on Stress Levels

The transition from elementary to middle school often comes with heightened pressure, both academically and socially. It’s crucial to monitor your child’s stress levels and ensure they’re not becoming overwhelmed by their commitments.

Watch for signs of stress, such as changes in sleep patterns, mood swings, or a lack of enthusiasm for activities they once enjoyed. Regular check-ins can help you gauge how they’re coping and whether adjustments to their schedule are needed. Finding the right time to connect with your middle schooler is key – some kids open up best during a drive in the car or a walk, while others may find it easiest to open up at bedtime.  Remember, your child’s mental and emotional health should always come first.

5. Promote a Healthy Lifestyle

Balancing schoolwork and extracurricular activities isn’t just about time management—it’s also about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Encourage your child to get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, and stay physically active. These habits are essential for keeping energy levels up and maintaining focus both in school and during extracurricular activities.

Teaching your tween or middle schooler the importance of taking breaks and unplugging from their responsibilities (and from their digital devices) will help them recharge and prevent burnout. Whether it’s through family time, relaxation, or physical activity, downtime is a crucial part of maintaining balance.

6. Foster Open Communication with Teachers and Coaches

Your child’s middle school years are a time of rapid growth and change, and it’s important to foster open communication with their teachers and coaches. Keep them informed about your child’s commitments and any potential conflicts. Most educators and coaches understand the challenges that come with balancing schoolwork and extracurriculars and are often willing to accommodate when they’re kept in the loop. Consider asking on occasion, “My child seems to be doing well (or not) with balancing schoolwork and outside interests. What is your perspective?”

By partnering with those involved in your child’s education and activities, you can help ensure they succeed academically while also excelling in their chosen extracurriculars.

7. Encourage Depth Over Breadth in Activities

During the tween and middle school years, it can be tempting to encourage your child to try everything. However, it’s important to emphasize the value of depth over breadth in their activities. Encourage them to focus on a few passions where they can truly excel and develop their skills, rather than spreading themselves too thin.

This approach not only allows your child to gain more from their activities but also helps them develop a sense of commitment and perseverance. Quality of engagement often leads to more meaningful experiences and growth than simply doing more.

8. Model Balanced Behavior

Children, especially at this age, are keen observers of their parents' behavior. By demonstrating balance in your own life—whether it’s managing work and family, pursuing hobbies, or practicing self-care—you set a powerful example for your child.

Discuss how you manage your commitments and make time for the things you love. Sharing your experiences can provide valuable lessons for your tween or middle schooler as they learn to balance their own responsibilities. Sometimes, rather than a more formal sit-down conversation, simply “talk out loud” as you manage your tasks or feel stressed and make adjustments.

9. Celebrate Their Progress and Achievements

Middle school is a time of significant growth, and it’s important to celebrate your child’s progress and achievements along the way. Whether it’s an improved grade, a personal best in sports, or mastering a new skill, recognizing their hard work reinforces the value of balance and perseverance.

Celebrating both big and small successes helps build your child’s confidence and encourages them to continue striving for excellence. It also supports the development of a growth mindset, which is crucial for overcoming challenges and setbacks. And remember, what we see as setbacks are often signals and predictors of coming growth.

10. Emphasize Mattering

It’s crucial to help your child understand that their worth is not tied to their achievements.  In the midst of juggling schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and social pressures, tweens and teens need reassurance that their inherent value is never in question.  Focus on creating an environment where they feel loved and accepted for who they are, not just for what they accomplish. 

Encourage your child to pursue their passions and work hard, but also to recognize that their self-worth goes far beyond grades, scores, or awards.  This distinction helps tweens and teens untangle their sense of self from the pressure to constantly perform, fostering a healthy balance and reducing stress.  Let them know that who they are as individuals – kind, creative, resilient – matters most. 

Balancing schoolwork and extracurricular activities during the tween and middle school years requires thoughtful planning and communication. By helping your child prioritize, schedule, manage their time, and maintain a healthy lifestyle, you can support them in navigating their commitments successfully. Your guidance is essential in helping your child develop into a well-rounded individual, ready to face the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

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Extracurriculars.

extra curricular activities at school essay

Your Complete List of Extracurricular Activities: 900+ Ideas

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What’s Covered:

  • What Are Extracurricular Activities?

Why Are Extracurriculars Important?

  • How Do Colleges Evaluate Extracurricular Activities?

How Many Extracurriculars Should You Do?

  • Complete List of Extracurricular Activities

Most colleges, especially competitive ones, are looking for a “well-rounded” student. This means that, in addition to having grades and test scores that meet their requirements, you must also display other talents and interests in your application. A strong extracurricular profile can help you make a good impression on admissions officers. You’d be surprised how many activities are out there!

What are Extracurricular Activities?

Extracurriculars are anything you do outside of academics. These can include sports, music, community service activities, jobs/internships, clubs, and more. Extracurriculars help colleges get to know you as a person: what do you care about? How committed are you?

It’s important to note that not all hobbies count as extracurriculars. For example, things like watching movies or playing video games would not be counted. Basically, recreational activities that you do for your own enjoyment don’t make the cut because extracurriculars need to involve some concerted effort and contribute to your personal development . If you started an after-school movie club where you and other members watched and then analyzed movies, or decided to develop video games on your own time, then you could list those as extracurriculars. 

While most schools are interested in extracurricular activities to some extent, they are especially important to the top 250 colleges and universities. These 250 schools get too many students who are academically-qualified, so extracurriculars help you stand out. 

The less competitive schools, like large public schools or state universities, receive so many applications that they narrow their focus. Typically, extracurriculars fall to the wayside here as more emphasis is placed on quantitative data, like GPA and test scores, because these require less time on the part of the admissions committee.

That being said, having extracurriculars on your resume, no matter where you apply to, helps you present a robust application that helps the admissions officers gain an overall deeper understanding of the type of person you are. This can make or break their decision to accept you into their university. A well-rounded profile demonstrates that you are passionate and dedicated to the things you care about, both of which are qualities that would make you a valuable addition to their student body.

In addition to showing off your many interests, extracurriculars can also help establish your commitment and interest in your prospective major. This can be especially true for pre-med students; you have to show interest in the field, so having a medical club or hospital volunteering opportunity on your resume would show initiative in that direction. Other examples are video game clubs or coding competitions for a computer science major, or heading a psychology club for an intended psychology major.

How Do Colleges Evaluate Extracurriculars?

At CollegeVine, we’ve divided extracurricular activities into 4 tiers .

extra curricular activities at school essay

Tier 1: Rare activities that show exceptional achievement or leadership. They include national awards or other prestigious achievements.

Tier 2: A little more common than Tier 1, but these activities still showcase high levels of achievement and leadership. They include leadership positions for well-known clubs and organizations, winning regional competitions, or sports/music distinctions.

Tier 3: Lack the distinction of Tier 1 and 2, but still highlight student’s interests. They include minor leadership positions for well-known clubs and organizations and smaller athletic/musical distinctions.

Tier 4: Most common and most often seen by admissions committees. They include general club/sports/musical membership and general volunteering.

Strong applications tend to have between 8 and 10 extracurricular activities. This sounds like a lot, but many activities are seasonal, so it’s possible to fit, for example, three to four sports into one year. That being said, the most important thing to keep in mind is quality over quantity . It’s usually better to try and achieve depth in one to two fields than to do a bunch of things on a surface level. You can certainly start by trying a bunch of things freshman year, but really stick with what you love and are good at. This way, you show a real passion, dedication and progression in the things you care about.

If you want to find out how your extracurriculars stack up, our free chancing engine can help you understand how your activities impact your chances. You can also see more in-depth tiers; the 4-tier system is slightly simplified and our chancing engine runs from Tier A-I.

extra curricular activities at school essay

Complete List of Extracurricular Activities 

Affinity groups.

  • African American Club
  • Asian Students Association
  • Association of Latin-American Students (ALAS)
  • Bible School
  • Black Lives Matter
  • Black Students Union
  • Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions
  • Caribbean Culture Club
  • Chinese School
  • Chinese Student Association
  • Christians in Action
  • Church Involvement
  • Climate Change Activism 
  • Diversity Awareness Club
  • Fellowship of Christian Athletes
  • Feminist Club
  • Filipino-American Club
  • Gay-Straight Alliance
  • Gender and Sexuality Alliance
  • Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior (GEMS)
  • Girls in the Trades
  • Girls Learn International
  • Girls Who Code
  • Gun Control Activism
  • Indian Students Association
  • International Students Association
  • International Women’s Club
  • Italian Club
  • Japanese Club
  • Jewish Culture Club
  • Jewish Student Union
  • Junior ROTC
  • Latino Students Union
  • Mosque Involvement
  • Multicultural Student Union
  • Muslim Student Union
  • Muslim Students Association
  • National Organization for Women
  • Nigerian Student Association
  • Pacific Islander Student Association
  • Persian Club
  • Racial Justice Club 
  • Society of Women Engineers
  • South Asian Culture Club
  • Synagogue Involvement
  • Teens Against Human Trafficking
  • Temple Involvement
  • Women in Business
  • Women in STEM Club
  • Women’s March

Community Service

  • ACE Mentor Program of America
  • Achieve Miami
  • Achilles International
  • Adopt-a-Highway
  • Alzheimer’s Awareness Club
  • American Cancer Society
  • American Civil Liberties Union
  • American Diabetes Association
  • American Heart Association
  • American Kennel Club
  • American Legion
  • Amnesty International
  • Anchor Club
  • Animal Rescue League
  • Animal Rights Club
  • Anti-Defamation League
  • Autism Awareness Club
  • Autism Cares Foundation
  • Baseball Coaching
  • Basketball Coaching
  • Beach Cleanup
  • Best Buddies
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
  • Blankets of Hope
  • Blood Drive
  • Breast Cancer Awareness Club
  • Cesar Chavez Service Clubs (Chavista)
  • Cheerleading Coach
  • Church Camp
  • City Youth Council
  • Civil Air Patrol
  • Climate March
  • Community Outreach Club
  • CPR Training
  • Dana-Farber Jimmy Fund
  • Do Something
  • Doctors Without Borders
  • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT/EMS)
  • English Tutoring
  • Epilepsy Foundation
  • ESL Instruction and Tutoring
  • Feed My Starving Children
  • Feeding America
  • Fostering Animals
  • Girl Scouts
  • Habitat For Humanity
  • Heifer International
  • Human Rights Club
  • Humane Society
  • Hunger Project
  • Hurricane Relief
  • Interact Club
  • Kids Helping Kids
  • KIVA Microfinance Club
  • Kiwanis Club
  • Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
  • Make-A-Wish
  • March for Life
  • March of Dimes
  • Meals on Wheels
  • Mission Trip
  • Missionary Work
  • National Charity League
  • National Down Syndrome Society
  • Operation Christmas Child
  • Operation Smile
  • Park Cleanup
  • Peer Leaders
  • Peer Mentor
  • Peer Tutoring
  • Red Cross Club
  • Relay For Life
  • Roots and Shoots
  • Rotary Club
  • Salvation Army
  • Save Endangered Species Club
  • School Ambassador
  • Shadowing a Physician
  • Sisters on the Runway
  • Soccer Coaching
  • Social Justice Club
  • Special Olympics
  • Student Ambassadors
  • Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
  • Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD)
  • Sunday School
  • UNICEF Club
  • Upward Bound
  • Volunteer at Elementary School
  • Volunteer at Middle School
  • Volunteer at Soup Kitchen
  • Volunteer Trip
  • Volunteer with Refugees
  • Volunteering at Animal Shelter
  • Volunteering at Children’s Hospital
  • Volunteering at Food Bank
  • Volunteering at Hospital
  • Volunteering at Library
  • Volunteering at Museum
  • Volunteering at Nursing Home
  • Volunteering Club 
  • Volunteering with the Homeless
  • Walk to End Alzheimer’s
  • Water Aid International (WAI)
  • Wounded Warrior Project 
  • Youth Sports Coaching

extra curricular activities at school essay

Discover your chances at hundreds of schools

Our free chancing engine takes into account your history, background, test scores, and extracurricular activities to show you your real chances of admission—and how to improve them.

  • Choreography
  • Community Theater
  • Improv Club
  • Musical Theater
  • Playwriting
  • School Musical
  • School Play
  • Standup Comedy
  • Accounting Internship
  • Babysitting
  • Camp Counselor
  • Concession Stand
  • Corporate Internship
  • Dog Walking
  • Employment at Local Business
  • Financial Analyst
  • Gymnastics Coach
  • Internship at Hospital
  • Internship at Law Firm
  • Landscaping
  • Lawn Mowing
  • Meal Delivery
  • Public Relations
  • Retail Worker
  • School Radio Station
  • School Store
  • Snow Shoveling
  • Social Media Management

Hobbies (some of these may double as other categories)

  • Aviation Enthusiast
  • Birdwatching
  • Blacksmithing
  • Bullet Journaling
  • Cake Decorating
  • Calligraphy
  • Car Enthusiast
  • Cartography
  • Coin Collecting
  • Cross Stitching
  • Dirt Biking
  • Dog Training
  • Fashion/Fashion Design
  • Graphic Design
  • Hairstyling
  • Home Improvement
  • Illustration
  • Indian Classical Dance
  • Interior Design
  • Irish Dance
  • Jewelry Making
  • Landscape Design
  • Latin Dance
  • Magic: The Gathering
  • Metalworking
  • Model Airplanes
  • Model Railroads
  • Motorcycles
  • Mountaineering
  • PC Construction
  • Puzzle and Sudoku
  • Rock Collecting
  • Rubik’s Cube
  • Scale Modeling
  • Scuba Diving
  • Skateboarding
  • Sports Memorabilia
  • Sports Statistics
  • Stock Trading
  • Tabletop Gaming
  • Vehicle Restoration
  • Video Editing
  • Wakeboarding
  • Woodworking

Honor Societies

  • Art National Honor Society 
  • Business National Honor Society
  • California Scholarship Federation
  • Dance National Honor Society
  • Engineering National Honor Society
  • English National Honor Society
  • French National Honor Society
  • German National Honor Society
  • History National Honor Society
  • Math Honor Society
  • Mu Alpha Theta
  • National Art Honor Society
  • National Honor Society
  • Science National Honor Society
  • Thespians International Honor Society
  • Tri-M Music Honor Society

Interest Clubs

  • 3D Modeling Club
  • 3D Printing Club
  • Academic Council
  • Accounting Club
  • Aerospace Engineering Club
  • African Heritage Club
  • American Meteorological Society
  • American Society of Mechanical Engineers
  • Anatomy Club
  • Animation Club
  • Anthropology Club
  • Arabic Culture Club
  • Architecture Club
  • Armenian Club
  • Art History Club
  • Artificial Intelligence Club
  • Asian Cooking Club
  • Astrology Club
  • Astronomy Club
  • Aviation Club
  • Baking Club
  • Ballroom Dancing Club
  • Beauty Club
  • Beekeeping Club
  • Bible Study
  • BioBuilder Club
  • Biochem Club
  • Biology Club
  • Biomedical Engineering Club
  • Black History Club
  • Board Games Club
  • Bollywood Club
  • Botany Club
  • Brazilian Club
  • Break Dancing Club
  • Broadcasting Club
  • Business Club
  • Call of Duty Club
  • Calligraphy Club
  • Cancer Awareness Club
  • Cartooning Club
  • Ceramics Club
  • Chemistry Club
  • Chick-fil-A Leader Academy
  • Chinese Club
  • Chinese Yoyo Club
  • Civics Club
  • Civil War Reenactors
  • Classical Music Club
  • Climate Action Club
  • Coffee Club
  • Comics Club
  • Computer Science Club
  • Conservation Club
  • Consulting Club
  • Cooking Club
  • Cornhole Club
  • Cosmetology Club
  • Criminal Justice Club
  • Crossfit Club
  • Culinary Club
  • Current Events Club
  • Cycling Club
  • Data Science Club
  • Debate Club
  • Dungeons & Dragons Club
  • Eastern European Culture Club
  • Economics Club
  • Electrical Engineering Club
  • Electronics Club
  • Energy Team
  • Engineering Club
  • Entrepreneurship Club
  • Environmental Club
  • Equestrian Club
  • Ethics Club
  • European History Club
  • Fair Trade for Life
  • Fantasy Sports Club
  • Fashion Club
  • Filmmaking Club
  • Finance Club/Financial Literacy Club
  • Fishing Club
  • Foreign Affairs Club
  • Foreign Film Club
  • Forensic Science Club
  • French Club
  • Friendship Club
  • Future Doctors of America
  • Future Educators of America
  • Future Engineers of America
  • Future Farmers of America
  • Future Law Professionals of America
  • Future Physicians Club
  • Future Teachers of America
  • Game Development Club/Gaming Club
  • Gardening Club
  • Geography Club
  • Geology Club
  • German Club
  • Graphic Design Club
  • Grilling Club
  • Gun Reform Club
  • Hiking Club
  • Hip Hop Club
  • History Club
  • Indian Culture Club
  • International Club
  • International Food Club
  • International Relations Club
  • Investing Club
  • Irish Culture Club
  • Journalism Club
  • Junior Statesmen of America
  • Junior World Affairs Council
  • Karaoke Club
  • Knitting Club
  • Korean Club
  • K-Pop Dance
  • Latin American Culture Club
  • Leadership Club
  • Life Sciences Club
  • Literature Club
  • Mahjong Club
  • Makerspace Club
  • Mandarin Club
  • Marine Biology Club
  • Marketing Club
  • Meditation Club
  • Mental Health Club
  • Meteorology Club
  • Microbiology Club
  • Microfinance Club
  • Middle East Culture Club
  • Military History Club
  • Minecraft Club
  • Morning Announcements 
  • Mosaic Club
  • Mountaineers Club
  • Multicultural Club
  • National Chinese Honor Society
  • Nature Club
  • Neurodiversity Club
  • Neuroscience Club
  • Nutrition Club
  • Origami Club
  • Outdoors Club
  • Pen Pal Club
  • Performing Arts Club
  • Philosophy Club
  • Photography Club
  • Physics Club
  • Ping Pong Club
  • Poetry Club
  • Political Discussion Club
  • Politics Club
  • Pre-Med Club
  • Psychology Club
  • Quidditch Club
  • Religion Club
  • Renaissance Faires
  • ROBLOX Club
  • Robotics Club
  • Rock Climbing Club
  • Rocketry Club
  • Russian Club
  • Sailing Club
  • Science Club
  • Shakespeare Club
  • Sign Language Club
  • Skateboard Club
  • Slam Poetry Club
  • Spanish Club
  • Sports Medicine Club
  • Sportswriting Club
  • Statistics Club
  • Strength and Fitness Club
  • Sustainability Club
  • Toastmasters Club
  • Urban Planning Club
  • Vegan/Vegetarian Club
  • Veterans Support Club
  • Vietnamese Culture Club
  • Women In Science and Engineering (WISE)
  • World War II Club
  • Young Entrepreneurs Club
  • Young Investors Society
  • Aspen Music Festival
  • Audio Engineer
  • Band (Personal)
  • Band (School)
  • Chamber Orchestra
  • Church Choir
  • Color Guard
  • Marching Band
  • Music Composition
  • Pit Orchestra
  • Songwriting
  • Sound Engineer
  • Wind Ensemble

Non-Art Competitions

  • AAN Neuroscience Research Prize
  • AAPT High School Physics Photo Contest
  • Academic Challenge
  • Academic Decathlon
  • Academic League
  • Academic Pentathlon
  • Academic Super Bowl
  • Academic WorldQuest
  • Adventure Write Kids – Totem Head’s Story Contest
  • Alaska Airlines Imagine Tomorrow
  • American Invitational Mathematics Examination
  • American Mathematics Competitions 10/12
  • American Regions Math League (ARML)
  • American Sleep Medicine Foundation High School Video Contest
  • Americanism Essay Contest
  • Architectural Design Competition for High School
  • Ayn Rand Institute Contest
  • B.E.S.T Robotics Design Contest
  • Biology League
  • Biology Olympiad
  • Blue Ocean Entrepreneurship Competition
  • Botball Educational Robotics Program
  • Brain Awareness Video Contest
  • Capitol Hill Challenge
  • Caribou Mathematics Competition
  • Chemistry Bowl
  • Chemistry Olympiad
  • Clean Tech Competition
  • Congressional Data Challenge
  • Congressional Debate
  • Conrad Challenge
  • Cooper Hewitt National Design Competition
  • Creative Communication Poetry Contest
  • C-SPAN’s StudentCam
  • Cubes in Space
  • Cyberpatriot
  • Davidson Fellows
  • Debate Team
  • Destination ImagiNation
  • Diamond Challenge
  • Doodle 4 Google
  • Doors to Diplomacy – International Competition
  • EconChallenge
  • Economics Competition
  • eCyberMission
  • Educators Rising
  • EngineerGirl Writing Contest
  • Engineering Team 
  • Entrepreneurship Competition
  • Essay Contest
  • Euro Challenge
  • FCCLA Virtual Business Challenge
  • Fed Challenge
  • Film Contest
  • Finance Challenge
  • FIRST Robotics
  • Forensic Debate
  • Forensics Team
  • Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
  • Future Problem Solving Program International: International Scenario Writing
  • Generation Nano: Superheroes inspired by Science
  • Genius Olympiad
  • Girl’s Go CyberStart Club
  • Google Science Fair
  • Harvard/MIT Mathematics Tournament (HMMT)
  • High School Innovation Challenge
  • Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
  • International BioGENEius Challenge
  • International Commerce Olympiad
  • International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition
  • International Olympiad of French
  • InvestWrite
  • Ithaca College High School Investment Competition
  • Junior Achievement Entrepreneurship Classes
  • Junior Classical League
  • Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
  • Kentucky Science & Engineering Fair
  • Kids Philosophy Slam
  • Knowledge @ Wharton Comment and Win
  • Knowledge Bowl
  • Lemonade Day
  • Lincoln-Douglas Debate
  • Mandelbrot Competition
  • Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) International ROV Competition
  • Math League
  • Mathematics Olympiad
  • Meridian Stories
  • Microsoft Imagine Cup
  • MIT INSPIRE
  • Model Congress
  • Model United Nations
  • NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge
  • National Academic Championship – Questions Unlimited
  • National Academic League
  • National Academic Quiz Tournament (NAQT)
  • National DNA Day Essay Contest
  • National Federation of Music Clubs- Junior Composer Contest (Class III & IV)
  • National French Contest
  • National Geographic Student Photo Competition 
  • National High School Design Competition
  • National High School Essay Contest
  • National High School Ethics Bowl
  • National History Day
  • National Ocean Science Bowl
  • National Personal Finance Challenge
  • National YoungArts Foundation 
  • National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge
  • National Economics Challenge
  • Neuroscience for Kids Competitions
  • North American Computational Linguistics Olympiad (NACLO)
  • NSHSS Visual Arts Competition
  • Odyssey of the Mind
  • Paradigm Challenge
  • Physics Olympiad
  • Profile in Courage Essay Contest
  • Programming Competition
  • Questions Unlimited
  • Regeneron Science Talent Search
  • River of Words: Youth Art and Poetry Inspired by the Natural World
  • Robotics Team
  • Rube Goldberg Machine Contest
  • Science Bowl
  • Science Fair
  • Science Olympiad
  • Siemens Competition
  • Solar Car Challenge
  • SourceAmerica Design Challenge
  • Space Settlement Contest
  • Speak Truth to Power Video Contest
  • Speech & Debate
  • Spelling Bee
  • Stemanities Research Competition
  • Stockholm Junior Water Prize
  • Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC)
  • TEAMS Competition
  • Technology Student Association
  • Technovation Challenge
  • The Coleopterists Society- Youth Incentive Award
  • The Green Idea
  • The High School Bridge Building Contest
  • The Stock Market Game
  • TOPPS Competition for High School Psychology Students
  • Toshiba/NSTA Exploravision
  • UIL Academics
  • University Interscholastic League
  • USA Brain Bee
  • Vans Custom Culture
  • We the People Constitutional Competitions
  • Wharton High School Investment Competition
  • World of 7 Billion Student Video Contest
  • World Series of Innovation
  • Writing Contest
  • Young Investors Society Global Stock Pitch Competition
  • Youth and Government

Own Initiative

  • Discord Server
  • Family Responsibilities
  • Instagram Account (Professional)
  • Online Class
  • Online Forum
  • TikTok Account (Professional)
  • Twitch Channel
  • Venture-Backed Startup
  • YouTube Channel
  • Canvassing (elections)
  • Congressional Page
  • Girls State
  • High School Democrats of America
  • Internship with Senator
  • Internship with Congressperson
  • Local Government Internship
  • Phonbanking (elections)
  • Teenage Republicans
  • Volunteer for Political Campaign
  • Young Americans Foundation
  • Young Democrats
  • Engineering Research
  • Humanities Research
  • Medical Research
  • Scientific Research
  • App Development
  • Coding Bootcamp
  • Game Design
  • MLK Essay Contest
  • Programming Club
  • Cheerleading
  • Crew (Rowing)
  • Cross Country
  • Cross-Country Skiing
  • Field Hockey
  • Figure Skating
  • Flag Football
  • Hip Hop Dance
  • Horseback riding
  • Ice Dancing
  • Indoor Track & Field
  • Marathon Running
  • Martial Arts
  • Motocross Racing
  • Racquetball
  • Reserve Barrel Racing
  • Rhythmic Gymnastics
  • Rock Climbing
  • Roller Derby
  • Show Jumping
  • Snowboarding
  • Speed Skating
  • Synchronized Swimming
  • Table Tennis
  • Track & Field
  • Ultimate Frisbee
  • Waterskiing
  • Weightlifting
  • Windsurfing
  • Student Government
  • Class Cabinet
  • Homecoming Committee
  • Judicial Committee (Honor Council)
  • Library Advisory Council
  • Prom Committee
  • School Board Representative
  • Spirit Committee
  • Student Athlete Advisory Council 
  • Student Council
  • Student Diversity Committee

Summer Programs

  • Achieve In Medicine (AIM-High)
  • ACLU National Advocacy Institute’s High School Program
  • Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
  • Bank of America Student Leaders Program
  • Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
  • CDC Disease Detective Camp
  • College Courses
  • Congress of Future Medical Leaders
  • Cronkite Summer Journalism Institute (SJI)
  • Economics for Leaders
  • Exchange Student
  • Interlochen Arts Camp
  • Iowa Young Writers’ Studio
  • Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop
  • Leadership in the Business World (LBW)
  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student Program
  • Michigan State University High School Honors Science/Engineering/Mathematics Program (HSHSP)
  • Middlebury Summer Language Academy
  • Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES)
  • NASA High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS)
  • National Mathematics Summer School
  • National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y)
  • Notre Dame Leadership Seminars
  • Perimeter Institute International Summer School for Young Physicists (ISSYP)
  • Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)
  • Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS)
  • Research in Science and Engineering Program (RISE)
  • Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT
  • Ross Mathematics Program
  • Simons Summer Research Program
  • Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
  • Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
  • Student Conservation Association National Crews
  • Study Abroad
  • Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
  • Summer Camp
  • Summer School
  • Telluride Association Summer Program (TASP)
  • The Summer Science Program (SSP)
  • Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS)
  • Young Women’s Institute

Visual Arts

  • Art Competition
  • Art Contest
  • Congressional Art Competition
  • Photography
  • Scholastic Art Awards
  • Baseball Writing
  • Blogging (Personal)
  • Book Reviews
  • Creative Writing
  • Fan Fiction
  • Literary Magazine
  • Magazine Writing
  • Movie Reviews
  • Novel Writing
  • Published a Book
  • Quill and Scroll
  • School Blog
  • School Newspaper
  • Short Story Writing
  • Sportswriting
  • Web Publication

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

extra curricular activities at school essay

IMAGES

  1. ≫ Impact of Extracurricular Activities for Students Free Essay Sample

    extra curricular activities at school essay

  2. Student development and extra-curricular activities

    extra curricular activities at school essay

  3. ≫ High School Extracurricular Activities Free Essay Sample on Samploon.com

    extra curricular activities at school essay

  4. Effects Of Extracurricular Activities Free Essay Example

    extra curricular activities at school essay

  5. Extracurricular Activities & Why You Need Them for College

    extra curricular activities at school essay

  6. (PDF) Importance of Extra-Curricular Activities in Education

    extra curricular activities at school essay

VIDEO

  1. Inter-house kho-kho competition at GEMS Public School School

  2. Extra curricular activities by Primary Nurturites!! #learning #smartclass #exhibition

  3. Extra Curricular Activities in Talitha Kumi 2024

  4. SBHS A Complete Package Of Learning Opportunities

  5. Dholan

  6. ESSAY ON A School Excursion

COMMENTS

  1. How to Write a Great Extracurricular Activity Essay 2024

    Tip #2: Use active verbs to give a clear sense of what you've done. Check out the active verbs in the essay above: writing, delivering, editing, researching, re-writing, brainstorming, catching, polishing, leading, holding, knowing. Tip #3: Consider telling us in one good clear sentence what the activity meant to you.

  2. 3 Successful Extracurricular Activity Essay Examples

    The strength of this essay comes from its connections. It connects the student's extracurricular activity to their studies and connects theirs studies to their personal history. While this prompt is about extracurricular activities, it specifically references the idea that the extracurricular should support the curricular.

  3. Extracurricular Activities Essay Examples

    2. Show your dedication. Many of our extracurricular activities essay examples discussed how long the author was involved in the activity. Show your dedication to your hobby, club, or organization through your essay responses. 3. Match your extracurricular activities essay examples to a school's mission or values.

  4. Extracurricular Activity Examples

    Extracurricular Activity Examples. Member (9th/10th) Treasurer (11th/12th) National Honors Society, Ridgefield High School Chapter. We are amongst the highest academically achieving students at our school, who collectively and consistently participate in community service projects. Student, Class TA.

  5. How to Write a Stellar Extracurricular Activity College Essay

    Harvard: Briefly describe any of your extracurricular activities, employment experience, travel, or family responsibilities that have shaped who you are. (200 words) Unlike some of the other essay archetypes, it's very easy to tell when a college is asking for an extracurricular essay. The prompt will likely use the word verbatim.

  6. 400+ Extracurricular Activities: a List of Examples & Opportunities

    In our experience, we've found that the most successful college applicants are usually involved in 3-4 "core" extracurricular activities. For instance, a typical high-achieving student might be involved in. a fall and spring sport. the annual school musical.

  7. How to Write a Strong Extracurricular Activity Essay

    To nail your extracurricular activity essay, follow these steps: complete the BEABIES Exercise, identify a challenge, explain its importance, describe what you did, highlight your role, and show the results. Let's take a closer look at each of these tips. 1. Complete the BEABIES Exercise.

  8. How to Write About Extracurriculars on College Applications

    Step 1: Write Down Your Activities. On a piece of paper, write down a list of your activities. These can be almost anything that you have done in high school, from sports, to organized clubs, to outside hobbies and interests, to work or community service. For each activity, make sure you write down:

  9. How to write an extracurricular activities essay?

    Here are a few tips on what to include and how to structure it: 1. Choose a specific activity: Instead of writing about multiple extracurriculars, pick one that you're truly passionate about and has had a significant impact on your personal growth. This will help you focus your essay and provide a more engaging story. 2.

  10. How to Write about Extracurriculars in Your Personal Statement and

    Emphasizing the meaning and impact of your activity is especially important in supplemental essays because they're shorter, more purpose-driven in response to a prompt, and often more straightforward than a personal statement. Take this example essay ("Community Essay: The DIY-ers") in response to one of MIT's prompts.

  11. How to Write an Extracurricular Activities Supplemental Essay

    Step 2: Choose your extracurricular activity based on the values, impact, or lessons you want to show. Remember that your personal statement, supplemental essays, and other application components work together to form a cohesive application narrative.

  12. Amazing Extracurricular Activity Examples for College Applications

    An extracurricular is any activity you participate in outside of class. It can be associated with your school, such as a sports team or club, or completely separate. They also include any jobs or internships you have had, as well as volunteer work you have performed. Extracurriculars cover a wide range of activities and interests, from painting ...

  13. How to Write the Harvard Extracurricular Activities Essay

    In this post, we look at Harvard University's supplemental essay focusing on extracurricular activities. For more information, check out this article on how to get into Harvard. Purpose of the Prompt Harvard's second supplemental essay prompt reads, "Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences."

  14. Extracurricular Activities for College Admissions: The Ultimate Guide

    Proven approaches and examples of extracurricular activities to help your child stand out on college applications and get into their dream schools. ... Med School Secondary Essay Premium Examples (1,500+ Essays) Med School Interview Question Bank (230+ Sample Responses)

  15. Extracurricular Activities Essay

    Long Essay on Extracurricular Activities is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10. Extracurricular activities teach students to work as a "unit" and be team players. It is a non-academic activity and serves as a part of development modules which can make the students think from a somewhat simpler point of view of themselves and the ...

  16. Essay on Importance of Extra Curricular Activities in School

    In conclusion, extra-curricular activities are an integral part of school life. They cultivate life skills, foster personal growth, and contribute to the development of well-rounded individuals. While academic excellence is important, the significance of extra-curricular activities should not be overlooked. Schools should encourage students to ...

  17. Student Development and Extra-Curricular Activities Essay

    Extra-curricular activities and academic performance. Extra-curricular activities are vital towards positive academic performance. According to Stephens and Schaben (2002), "a study by the United States Department of Education revealed that students who participate in co-curricular activities are three times more likely to have a grade point average of 3.0 or better" (Stephens & Schaben ...

  18. Essay on Extracurricular Activities

    Extracurricular activities are the fun things students do outside of their regular school work. These can be sports like soccer or basketball, clubs like art or music, or even groups that help the community. They are not part of your grades at school, but they are still very important. They help you learn new skills, make friends, and discover ...

  19. Complete List of Extracurricular Activities

    Extracurricular Activities Examples (Continued) Model United Nations. National Beta Club. National Speech & Debate Association. National Teen Age Republicans. Political Campaign Involvement. Racial Justice Club. Rotary. Sierra Student Coalition.

  20. Complete List of Extracurricular Activities: 100s of Examples

    Sports and Recreation. You probably already know about the sports teams at your schools, but there are also many opportunities to participate outside of those. Try doing extramural sports, join a club league in your community, or consider coaching a youth team. Baseball and softball. Basketball.

  21. 250-Word Extracurricular Example: [Essay Example], 257 words

    Importance of Extracurricular Activities in School Essay. This is a term that is generally shortened as ECOther scholars will refer to extracurricular activity as an extra academic activity. These are those activities that fall outside the normal curriculum of any learning institution.

  22. Breaking Down the 4 Tiers of Extracurricular Activities

    Check out this extracurricular activity list for tips on finding new activities—and determining which of your current hobbies and passions to include on your college application. Field or Interest. Extracurricular Activities. Computers. Take an online coding class. Create a website. Develop an app.

  23. Balancing Extracurricular Activities and Schoolwork in Middle School

    Balancing schoolwork and extracurricular activities during the tween and middle school years requires thoughtful planning and communication. By helping your child prioritize, schedule, manage their time, and maintain a healthy lifestyle, you can support them in navigating their commitments successfully.

  24. Your Complete List of Extracurricular Activities: 900+ Ideas

    At CollegeVine, we've divided extracurricular activities into 4 tiers. Tier 1: Rare activities that show exceptional achievement or leadership. They include national awards or other prestigious achievements. Tier 2: A little more common than Tier 1, but these activities still showcase high levels of achievement and leadership.