DEFINITION OF EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:
Any involvements beyond a student’s regular course work during high school including:

• In and out-of-school activities

• High school sports, as well as outside club, league and individual athletics

• Community service and volunteering, work experiences, summer experiences, hobbies, pastimes, and other interests

• Intellectual pursuits outside of school (See Guide 1: Courses, Grades and Intelluctual Pursuits)

• Special talents

THE BOTTOM LINE
Admissions officers usually look first at test scores, the rigor of courses a student takes and grades in those courses. After that, they are interested in a student’s extracurricular activities – that is, how you spend your time outside of class. Colleges really care about the kind of people they admit; therefore, what you do after school, during weekends and over summers tells them a lot about the kind of person you are, your character and personality. When you think about it, you are what you do every day, every month, every year.

Colleges want students who will take full advantage of the academic and other resources offered on their campuses, as well as people who will contribute and give back. They want to admit students who will make a difference during and after college. One of the best ways of predicting what a student will do in college is to see what he or she has done in high school.

adMISSION POSSIBLE® TIP! THE “WELL-ROUNDED STUDENT” MYTH: Before the 1990s, common wisdom was that colleges preferred well-rounded students. Colleges now say they prefer well-rounded classes; that is, a mix of students in each class who bring a kaleidoscope of backgrounds, talents, interests, and involvements. Admission to a particular college is often more likely for students who are involved in a few select activities or interests in which they demonstrate commitment, achievement, leadership and passion.

adMISSION POSSIBLE® TIP! Whether you are a freshman or a senior, it is never too late to begin making good choices about how you spend your time.