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! 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. 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! 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. 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. 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. The next step is to start doing activities! But how many should you do? If you are a freshman, I would recommend trying out a bunch of different activities--up to ten if there are that many you have an interest in. The idea at this stage is to sample a variety of extracurriculars. Once you start to get an idea of which activities are going to really help you develop the interests you are most passionate about, you can dedicate more time to those and drop the others. If you are a sophomore, junior, or senior, you should hopefully already have an idea of the kinds of activities that you want to focus on. Make a list of the top five activities that interest you. If you have the time to try out all five, go for it. This will give you a bit of time to experiment and see what's most of interest. If you don't have time, try to narrow down your top five to three activities. Remember to not spread yourself too thin, especially if you are above freshman year. It's more important to spend significant time in each activity than it is to have a long list of activities. Choose activities that will allow you to make a meaningful impact, either in your own development, or in the community. 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. These activities will allow you to express yourself artistically—on paper, through a lens, on stage, and through several other media. Unleash your creativity! 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. These activities will allow you to get involved in your community. 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! These activities could be a fit if you're a natural leader, skilled at motivating, directing, and inspiring others. If you love writing and communicating, consider getting involved in a media activity to help bring news and information to your school or community. If you are interested in learning about discipline, teamwork, and leadership, then you may be interested in a military-based extracurricular activity. 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. 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. You can usually find these groups in your community. 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. 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. 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. If you have a knack for recognizing faulty logic and destroying opponents' arguments, try one of these clubs. Many schools will sponsor these groups and some of them are competitive on local and national levels. 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. A love of technology can take you far. If you have strong knowledge in a particular area, try sharing with the online community. The bonus of these activities is that anyone with an internet connection can do them—no need for a school-sponsored club! 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. 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. 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 is the world's best admissions consulting service. We've helped thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. Join our mentoring program today:
What Is An Extracurricular Activity?
How Should You Use This Extracurricular Activities List?
Step 1: Brainstorm Extracurricular Ideas
Step 2: See Which Extracurriculars Fit Your Interests
Step 3: Research Different Extracurricular Options
Step 4: Join Some Activities
Step 5: Narrow Down Your Extracurriculars
Step 6: Increase Your Impact in a Few Activities
Extracurriculars List by Category
Academic
Clubs
Academic Competitive Teams
Art
Cultural and Language
Community
Government
Leadership
Media
Military
Music
Performance Art
Religious
Roleplaying/Fantasy
Social Activism
Special Interest
Speech and Political Interest
Sports and Recreation
Technology
Volunteer
Final Word
What's Next?
Mary Ann Barge
About the Author
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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FAQs
Complete List of Extracurricular Activities: 100s of Examples? ›
The Common App has space for students to list ten activities, but you should not feel obligated to fill out all ten. Only fill out all 10 if you've made significant efforts in each of those activities listed.
What is an example of extracurricular activities list? ›- Athletics. ...
- Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) ...
- Student Government. ...
- Model UN, Mock Trial, & Debate. ...
- Volunteer & Community Organizations. ...
- Language Clubs Organizations. ...
- Cultural Organizations. ...
- The Arts.
- Travel.
- Volunteering, community service or charity work.
- Sports such as competing on a team or in a league, hiking or other forms of exercise.
- Creative arts, including writing, music, painting and crafts.
- Cooking or gardening.
The Common App has space for students to list ten activities, but you should not feel obligated to fill out all ten. Only fill out all 10 if you've made significant efforts in each of those activities listed.
How to list extracurricular activities on college application? ›- Leadership Work and Positions. ...
- Part-Time Jobs. ...
- Sports and Athletic Participation. ...
- Academic Clubs and Teams. ...
- Artistic and Creative Pursuits. ...
- Volunteering and Community Service. ...
- Internships.
Sport, drama, Scouts and Guides, hobbies like craft or photography – extracurricular activities can be just about anything your child enjoys outside school. They can also be things you've encouraged your child to do, like language classes, music, debating, religious instruction, swimming, or paid and unpaid jobs.
What is an example of an extracurricular activity in a personal statement? ›“I have a passion for creative projects, so being part of a Young Enterprise company enabled me to nurture my skills and explore the world of business. I learnt invaluable lessons on teamwork and leadership. This has also helped completement my role as Captain of the School Football Team.”
What are your personal interests? ›What are personal interests? Personal interests are activities enjoyed in a person's free time. They can include hobbies, sports, artistic expression, leisure activities, volunteering, cultural activities, spiritual practices, traditional activities, learning pursuits, and personal development.
What doesn't count as extracurricular activities? ›Extracurricular activities are simply anything you do that is not a high school course or paid employment (but note that paid work experience is of interest to colleges and can substitute for some extracurricular activities).
Should I list all 10 activities on Common App? ›You can add up to ten activities to your application, but that doesn't mean that you need to enter ten. On average, students applying through Common App report 6 activities. Don't forget, this section is how colleges can get to know more about you.
Is 4 extracurriculars enough? ›
Ideally, you should pick two to three areas of interest (in case some don't pan out, there are couple of backups) and make long-term commitments (three to four years) in three to five extracurricular activities. Development of leadership skills in your extracurricular activities is essential.
What is considered an extracurricular activity in college? ›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 to write a extracurricular activities resume for college? ›How to List Your Extracurriculars on a Resume. Regardless of where you choose to list your extracurriculars, you should generally include the name of the organization, your role within it (“member” or any positions held), and the dates you participated.
Can I get into college without extracurriculars? ›Extracurricular activities are not the most important factor in a college application. Coursework and GPA, for instance, bear more weight. However, this is not to say that extracurriculars have little or no impact on the admissions decision a student ultimately receives.
Is 5 extracurriculars good? ›How Many “Normal” Activities Should Students Have? The Goldilocks “just right” number of activities is 5 or 6. This is a good amount because it's achievable for most students without being overwhelming.
How many extracurriculars should I list? ›Admissions officers would far prefer to see “only” three or so activities that: a) Are aligned with your future academic/career goals. b) Demonstrate your ability to lead and get results (titles matter less than your actual duties/responsibilities).
How do colleges verify extracurriculars? ›In summary, colleges use a combination of recommendations, official documentation, self-reporting, and random audits to verify the extracurricular activities reported by applicants. Honesty and accuracy are crucial in this process, as misrepresentation can lead to severe consequences for the student.
Can I put hobbies as extracurriculars? ›Hobbies, interests, and volunteer work outside of school are also considered extracurricular activities.
What is an example of personal activity? ›Personal activities of daily living means activities required for an individual's physical maintenance or care of self. Activities may include tasks associated with eating, toileting, bathing, grooming, dressing, locomotion, stair climbing, and communication.
How to write hobbies and extracurricular activities in resume? ›- Choose activities that you actively contributed to.
- Include relevant and appropriate experiences.
- Evaluate how your participation makes you an ideal candidate.
- Organize your extracurricular activities intentionally.
Which of the following are examples of extracurricular activities except? ›
All of the following are examples of extracurricular activities except: Participating in a science lab after school. Which of the following is intended to prepare students for success at colleges worldwide?
What is an extracurricular activity if any? ›So, the extracurricular activities that are most likely to impress colleges are as follows: academic activities, community service and volunteering activities, and activities related to your personality, including sports, hobbies, special interests, etc.
Why are extracurricular activities important for jobs? ›Aside from being able to show your individuality and display your interests proudly, extracurricular activities can give recruiters an idea of skills and personal qualities that can be an asset to their companies. An extensive list of extracurricular activities in your resume may be tantamount to a feather in your cap.
Is your job an extracurricular activity? ›Work experience—whether it's full-time, part-time, or freelance—is another extracurricular worth adding to a college application. Even if the job is not related to your area of study, it can really impress college admissions committees. Roughly one in three high school–age teens will have a job at some point in a year.
What are 5 example of personal interest? ›Personal interests can include hobbies, leisure activities, arts, sports, community activities, volunteer positions, cultural activities, traditional practices, recreation, extracurricular activities, research topics, self-learning and classes that you have taken.
How do you describe your hobbies and interests? ›Talking about hobbies in more detail
“I like arts and crafts. I'm a creative / practical person, and like doing things with my hands.” “I'm an outgoing person, and like socialising / hanging out with friends.” “I enjoy being physically active, and spend a lot of time playing sports and team games.”
Listing your hobbies plays a role in demonstrating how you'll relate to the company's culture. Any extracurricular work that supports what you know about the culture is extremely relevant and should be present on your resume.
What to say if you have no achievements? ›“I just did my job. I didn't do anything special." You absolutely have accomplishments under your belt, but it requires a little bit of mental reframing. Example: If you were responsible for creating and executing marketing campaigns for a product, talk about your campaign wins.
Is church an extracurricular activity? ›Indeed, by our definition, anything from maintaining sustained membership in a community organization (like a church), to volunteering in your community, to working a job can count as an extracurricular activity.
Do your extracurriculars have to relate to major? ›2 answers. No, extracurricular activities(ECs) do not need to be related to your major or even to each other. They're based on your interests, and there's nothing wrong in having diverse interests.
What are the 5 activities on Common App? ›
According to Common App, “activities may include arts, athletics, clubs, employment, personal commitments, and other pursuits.” In other words, pretty much anything pursued outside the classroom qualifies as an activity.
What order should I put my activities in? ›Putting your most important activities first is the way to go. This may flow in something close to a reverse chronological order since the activities that most demonstrate your passion, leadership, and abilities are likely ones that you stuck with over the years.
Can you put hobbies on Common App activities? ›You can add any “non-academic” activities in the Common App Activities section, i.e., anything that isn't explicitly a part of your schoolwork and didn't involve an instructor's grade. This can include sports, clubs, hobbies, jobs, and any other applicable activities.
Is 5 extracurriculars too much? ›Children should not have activities every day of the week. Many people agree that three is a good maximum. If a child is at that maximum and wants to add a new activity, then ensure that they drop one. Build in space for downtime.
How many hours of extracurriculars is too much? ›No One-Size-Fits-All Answer
In reality, only six percent of teens meet the definition of “overscheduled,” spending 20 or more hours a week in extracurriculars, according to research from Yale University. Five to seven hours per week is the average. But how much your teen can handle is a personal matter.
TIER 1: In Tier 1 extracurriculars, a student has participated in an activity at the (inter)national level, or attended a prestigious enrichment program. These types of activities demand a very large time commitment from the student, so we only expect ONE Tier 1 activity from a student.
What sports look good on a college application? ›Athletic Participation
Playing team sports, such as football or basketball, also lets colleges know that you've been able to function as part of a team. Athletic participation generally takes up quite a bit of time and requires significant effort to develop skills.
- Starting a club. Many students struggle to find an extracurricular activity that picks their interests. ...
- Participate in a summer program. ...
- Competing in academic events. ...
- Writing for the school newspaper. ...
- Joining the theater program. ...
- Doing an internship.
You may include high school activities on your resume until the end of your freshman year or beginning of your sophomore year of college.
What is not on your resume that you are proud of? ›The perfect answer to the “tell me something about yourself not on your resume” interview question is short and positive. Avoid negatives or unrelated personal stories. Focus on your strengths, on why you want the job, or on something great about the company.
Do colleges look at senior year extracurriculars? ›
Second semester of senior year
Colleges will be looking to see that you've kept your grades up and have continued involvement in your extracurriculars. They want to see that students are still putting effort into school at this point.
If you are well into your senior year of high school, it might be too late to pursue extracurriculars for college application purposes, but it's never too late to develop new hobbies and foster new passions.
Are essays more important than extracurriculars? ›At the top 250 schools, your essays generally account for 25% of your overall application. This is only slightly behind the 30% for extracurriculars. Essays are actually ahead of the 20% for grades and coursework, 15% for test scores, and 10% for recommendations and interviews.
What does extracurricular activities in school mean? ›An extracurricular is any activity that doesn't count towards an academic credit. These are activities that students participate in outside of class, such as activities in the arts, athletics, personal commitments and so on.
How to describe your extracurricular activities on UC application? ›- The name of the activity/program/award.
- When they participated in the activity (i.e., during which grade)
- The number of hours spent on the activity per week and the number of weeks spent per year (not asked of Awards or Honors)
Extracurricular is a combination of the Latin prefix extra- meaning "on the outside" and the word curriculum, meaning "a running, course, career." Something that is extracurricular is on the outside of your course or career. When you get involved in an extracurricular activity, you are going outside of what's expected.
How many extracurricular activities are there? ›How Many Extracurriculars Should You Do? 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.
Why high school extracurricular activities? ›Extracurricular activities provide a channel for reinforcing the lessons learned in the classroom, offering students the opportunity to apply academic skills in a real-world context, and are thus considered part of a well-rounded education.
Is working out an extracurricular activity? ›The Common App says that extracurricular activities "include arts, athletics, clubs, employment, personal commitments, and other pursuits." Almost anything that you are actively and productively involved in can be considered an extracurricular activity.
Should I fill out all 20 UC activities? ›It's not necessary to fill in all 20 spots in the UC activities and awards section, but it's best to include as many as possible that are relevant, meaningful and important to you. The UC schools don't have preferences for any particular type or category of activity or award they are looking for.
How many extracurriculars should I join? ›
Admissions officers would far prefer to see “only” three or so activities that: a) Are aligned with your future academic/career goals. b) Demonstrate your ability to lead and get results (titles matter less than your actual duties/responsibilities).