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Alejandro Diaz

How to Choose High School Extracurriculars

Updated: Aug 2

Ah, high school - so many possibilities, so little time! Contrary to what your teachers might tell you, high school isn't just about what happens in the classroom! Your extracurriculars - the things you do outside of the academic curriculum - are, one could argue, just as important as that 'A' in AP Bio. They're important not only because extracurriculars form a vital part of your application portfolio to college, but also because getting involved in a variety of activities has the potential to greatly enrich your life!


  1. What if I don't know where to start?


It's never too late to develop new interests! Sometimes, you need to give things a little bit of time before you know if they're right for you.This is the perfect opportunity to try out new clubs, after school activities, classes, community service, hobbies, jobs! One idea might be to join your friends in their activities - saying 'Yes' to opportunities has the potential to take you far.


2. What if there aren’t any opportunities at my school?


If there are no opportunities at your school for the activities you’re interested in or they are either too advanced or too low of a level for you, then you can start looking elsewhere. Your city or local colleges may offer the level of academic or extracurricular activities that you desire. You may have to pursue this extracurricular or academic interest by yourself with online, library resources, and private tutoring. Perhaps you might look at internships, summer programs or online courses. 


3. I've found extracurriculars I like! Now what do I do?


Now that we’ve found extracurriculars that you are interested in, the world is your oyster. Learn from others and delve into them! This is your opportunity to pursue activities and subjects you’re really interested in. Take advantage! Many times there will be either adults/teachers or other more knowledgeable students that can help you become better at this extracurricular. For example, in soccer, a coach might be able to help you improve your penalty shootout, or a teammate might help you be a more confident team player on the pitch. In an extracurricular coding class this might mean becoming friends with your classmates so you can help each other with homework and studying!


4. How can I ensure that my extracurriculars will help my college application?


Pursuing the extracurriculars that you are interested in is a great start. But also, if you have an idea as to what you might major in, think about doing things that relate to your future major. If you’re planning to be a doctor then consider taking extra biology classes outside of school, or volunteer at a medical center. But I will emphasize that you should do what you like to do—competitive video gaming, drawing, music, sports—and take those activities to the next level! Colleges like to see that you take the initiative to have fun and they want you to bring that spirit and activity to their campus.


5. Any last words of advice?


Try to take leadership positions! Leadership and initiative are great skills to have. Very often, leadership positions provide a different perspective and require you to take a more active role in your activity. If you are thinking about college applications, leadership is something colleges definitely want to see. However, always be certain the leadership position is a time commitment you are willing and able to take on! It is important to know which activities are the most important to you and allocate your time and energy accordingly! If an activity isn’t working for you then find a way to politely exit and go do the extracurriculars you want to do!


In short: Choosing extracurriculars in high school comes down to doing what you like! I would never encourage students or peers to pursue things they’re not interested in. …But if you like programming then why not join the Robotics club? If you like helping your community you should join that community service club that your friends are in! If you are interested in psychology then maybe you should take that community college psychology class!


Still not sure? Why not have a chat with one of our consultants?




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