South Atlanta High School

Here’s something else you should know: Extracurriculars also play a part when you apply to colleges. Most college applications ask about your activities. That’s because the things you do in your free time reveal a lot about you — in ways that grades and test scores can’t. Your accomplishments outside the classroom show what you’re passionate about and that you have qualities valued by colleges. Here are a few examples:

• Serving in student government shows that you have leadership skills.
• Being on the track team through high school shows that you’re able to make a long-term commitment.
• Doing volunteer work at a hospital shows that you are dedicated to helping others.
• Working a part-time job while keeping your grades up shows that you are responsible and can manage your time.

Colleges want to know who you are and what you can do. Your activities help you show them. So put down the books and get out there!

Kinds of Activities

Here are the most common kinds of extracurricular activities.

School Activities

These might include sports teams, special-interest clubs, a school newspaper, music groups and student government.

Community Activities

Examples are community theater, music, and art groups as well as local clubs and sports teams.

Work

Internships, summer jobs, part-time work, babysitting, delivering newspapers — it all counts.

Volunteering

This might mean tutoring elementary school kids, helping out at the animal shelter or raising funds for a charity.