30 Extracurricular Activities in High School
- Stephen Turban
- Sep 5
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 14
When it comes to college admissions, GPAs, standardized test scores, and class rankings are undeniably important metrics. However, it's the activities you pursue outside the classroom that can tangibly demonstrate who you are and what you're passionate about. This makes extracurricular activities a crucial component of your college application.
These observations are backed up by data: according to a 2023 study by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, nearly half of college admissions officers (44.3%) consider extracurricular activities to be of moderate to considerable importance in their evaluation process. Some experts even suggest that extracurriculars can account for as much as 30% of the weight of a college application.
Extracurriculars are a great way to highlight your ability to manage your time effectively, your commitment to a cause or a team, and your drive to explore your interests in a real-world setting. These experiences provide rich material for your college essays and can lead to positive letters of recommendation from mentors who have seen you in action. Keeping this in mind, we’ve compiled 30 extracurricular activities in our blog that can help you build a memorable college application:
Extracurriculars in leadership
Student Government: Participating in your school's student council or government demonstrates a clear interest in leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement. It shows you can work with peers, represent their interests, and effect change within an organization.
Model United Nations (MUN): MUN is an excellent way to hone your public speaking, debate, and research skills. It showcases your ability to understand complex global issues and engage in diplomatic problem-solving. Find a local chapter through the United Nations Association.
Debate Club: Sharpen your critical thinking and argumentation skills. Success in debate highlights your ability to construct a logical argument, think on your feet, and communicate persuasively—all highly valued skills in any academic field.
Start a Club: See a need in your school that isn't being met? Start a club! This is a powerful demonstration of initiative, leadership, and organizational skills. Whether it's a book club, a coding club for beginners, or a sustainability club, you're showing you can take an idea from conception to execution.
Entrepreneurship/Start a Small Business: Whether you're selling handmade jewelry on Etsy, developing an app, or starting a local lawn-mowing business, entrepreneurial ventures highlight your creativity, business acumen, and work ethic.
Extracurriculars in tech
Join a Coding Club like Girls Who Code: In our increasingly digital world, coding skills are invaluable. Participating in a club like Girls Who Code not only teaches you a valuable skill but also demonstrates your commitment to closing the gender gap in technology.
Robotics Club: Engage in hands-on STEM learning by designing, building, and programming robots. This activity showcases your problem-solving abilities, technical aptitude, and capacity for teamwork in a competitive environment.
Website or App Development: Create a website for a local non-profit or develop a mobile app to solve a problem you've identified. This is a tangible way to demonstrate your ability to apply technical skills in a practical situation.
Contribute to Open-Source Projects: For more advanced coders, contributing to open-source software on platforms like GitHub demonstrates collaboration with a global community of developers and your dedication to improving technology.
Cybersecurity Competitions: Participate in "capture the flag" and other cybersecurity competitions. This activity highlights your problem-solving skills and your interest in a rapidly growing and critical field.
Extracurriculars in the arts
Work on an Art Portfolio: Whether your passion is painting, drawing, photography, or graphic design, a well-curated portfolio is essential for art school applications and can be a powerful supplement for any application.
Performing Arts (Theater, Dance, Music): Dedication to the performing arts demonstrates discipline, creativity, and the ability to work collaboratively. Holding a lead role, being a section leader in the band, or choreographing a dance piece shows leadership and commitment.
Creative Writing: Write for your school's literary magazine, start a blog, or work on a collection of poetry or short stories. This showcases your creativity, communication skills, and ability to articulate complex ideas.
Film and Media Production: Create short films, documentaries, or even a compelling YouTube channel. This demonstrates your storytelling abilities, technical skills with editing software, and your creative vision.
Fashion Design and Construction: Design and sew your own clothing. This hands-on skill highlights your creativity, attention to detail, and ability to bring a concept to life.
Extracurriculars in volunteering and public engagement
Consistent Volunteering: Find a cause you're passionate about and dedicate your time to it regularly. Long-term commitment to a single organization, such as a local hospital, animal shelter, or food bank, is more impactful than sporadic hours at many places.
Start a Nonprofit or Community Project: Identify a need in your community and take the initiative to address it. This could be anything from organizing a local park clean-up to starting a tutoring program for younger students. This is a meaningful demonstration of leadership and social responsibility.
Work on a Political Campaign: Get involved in local or national politics by volunteering for a campaign. This shows your engagement with civic issues and your willingness to work towards a cause you believe in.
Join an Advocacy Group: Participate in a group that advocates for a specific issue, such as environmental protection or social justice. This demonstrates your passion for making a positive impact on the world.
Fundraising for a Cause: Organize a fundraiser for a charity you support. This showcases your organizational skills, creativity, and commitment to helping others.
Extracurriculars in Writing, Research, and Teaching
Academic Competitions: Participate in competitions like the Science Olympiad, Mathcounts, or the National History Bee. Excelling in these demonstrates a deep passion for a subject that goes beyond the classroom curriculum.
Research with a Professor or Mentor: Reaching out to a local college professor or a professional in a field that interests you for a research opportunity is a great way to show initiative and intellectual curiosity.
Publishing Your Writing: Submitting your academic or creative writing to journals or competitions can be a significant accomplishment. It demonstrates your ability to communicate your ideas effectively to a wider audience.
Tutoring: Helping your peers or younger students succeed academically demonstrates your mastery of a subject and your ability to communicate complex concepts. It also highlights your patience and willingness to help others.
School Newspaper or Yearbook: Joining the staff of your school's newspaper or yearbook hones your writing, editing, photography, and design skills. It also shows your ability to work under deadlines and as part of a team.
Extracurriculars in sports
Pick Up a Sport: Participating in a sport, whether at the varsity level or in a recreational league, teaches valuable lessons in teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and time management. Taking on a leadership role, like team captain, further enhances your application.
Outdoor Activities: Engaging in activities like hiking, rock climbing, or kayaking demonstrates a sense of adventure and resilience. Additionally, it can highlight initiative and leadership ability with additional activities like leading a hiking club or getting certified in wilderness first aid.
Martial Arts: The discipline and dedication required to advance in martial arts can be an impressive addition to your application. It shows your long-term commitment and your ability to set and achieve goals.
Work as a Camp Counselor or Coach: Taking on a leadership role where you are responsible for the well-being and development of younger children is a significant demonstration of maturity, responsibility, and leadership.
Learn a New Skill with a Tangible Outcome: This could be anything from becoming a certified lifeguard to learning a new language to fluency. It shows your dedication to self-improvement and your ability to master a new and challenging skill.
Ultimately, the best extracurricular activities are the ones you are genuinely passionate about. Admissions officers look for depth and commitment. Choose a few activities that truly resonate with you and dedicate yourself to them.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
Image Source - Lumiere Education logo