Do hobbies count as extracurricular activities?

It typically doesn't carry academic credit but can be related to school. For example, athletics and student clubs are considered extracurricular activities. Hobbies, interests, and volunteer work outside of school are also considered extracurricular activities.

Can hobbies count as extracurriculars?

Any hobby can count as an EC provided that you regularly participate in it and it contributes to your "holistic" development. Try exploring the clubs at your school or other opportunities available to you outside school and see if anything interests you.

Are hobbies and extracurricular activities same?

While hobbies are generally pursued for personal enjoyment, extracurricular activities often have a structured purpose, such as skill development, social interaction, or community involvement. Extracurricular just means outside of school instruction / regular classroom time.

What are not considered extracurricular activities?

In truth, an extracurricular can be any activity not related to coursework that you spend time doing. So, for example, completing an essay or a school-assigned project would not be considered extracurricular, even though you may complete this task outside of school.

Can you put hobbies on a college application?

Yes, colleges consider hobbies because they're interested in learning what students do in their free time outside academics! Colleges use a holistic approach when making application decisions, so you must demonstrate that you are well-rounded and excel in all your pursuits.

The Extracurricular Activities that Top Colleges Do/Don't Want to See

How do I turn my hobby into an extracurricular?

By formalizing your participation, joining others, giving back, quantifying your experience, and sharing your work, you set yourself up to strongly present your hobby as a serious extracurricular pursuit on your college application.

What not to put on a college application?

Is 4 extracurriculars enough?

A good number of extracurriculars can be around four. Although every student is different, having four extracurriculars allows you to branch out without being overwhelmed. Having a good variety of hobbies outside of school is important.

What if I have good grades but no extracurriculars?

Even if you haven't participated in traditional extracurriculars like school sports or clubs, chances are you have personal interests, hobbies, or projects you are passionate about. Use your application to highlight these pursuits, as they reveal unique aspects of your personality and dedication.

Is it OK to not do extracurricular activities?

Although not having extracurricular activities in high school is not necessarily "bad," it can limit your chances for personal growth, development, and achievement. Extracurricular activities offer opportunities to develop skills, explore interests, and connect with like-minded peers.

What do extracurriculars count as?

As a general rule, anything you do routinely outside of the classroom—and not for academic credit—counts as an extracurricular. These activities should have value for you and should have a significant impact on your development.

What counts as a hobby?

A hobby is any activity that a person pursues because they enjoy it and with no intention of making a profit. People operate a business with the intention of making a profit. Many people engage in hobby activities that turn into a source of income.

Do colleges call your extracurricular activities?

Usually, they don't, unless you take an interview, they'll probably ask you questions about it, and trust me, they can tell when you are lying. Either way, if they don't catch you when you start college they'll know when you don't have the skills you said you did.

Do you need 10 extracurriculars?

Ideally, you should have at least 2-3 activities demonstrating significant involvement, but it's okay to include a few other less significant activities. Listing more is totally fine, too. The Common App has space for students to list ten activities, but you should not feel obligated to fill out all ten.

Does going to the gym count as an extracurricular?

Staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are important habits that can indeed be considered as extracurricular activities on college applications. However, it's important to show how your commitment to fitness and staying active has had a positive impact on your life and/or your community.

Does going to church count as an extracurricular?

Absolutely, involvement in your church can be considered an extracurricular activity on college applications.

Is 11th grade too late for extracurriculars?

Students should start getting involved in extracurriculars as early as possible in their high school career. However, if you're a junior or a senior, don't be discouraged about trying something new or expanding your extracurriculars. At the end of the day, a year's worth of participation is better than none at all.

Can you get into Harvard without extracurriculars?

There is no formula for gaining admission to Harvard. Academic accomplishment in high school is important, but the Admissions Committee also considers many other criteria, such as community involvement, leadership and distinction in extracurricular activities, and personal qualities and character.

Is 7 extracurriculars good?

In the end, extracurriculars are about quality, not quantity, so try not to worry about having a specific number of activities or blank spaces to fill. Choose activities that align with what you genuinely enjoy, what demonstrates your leadership ability, what you're good at, and your career goals.

Is 7 extracurriculars too much?

There isn't a specific number that is considered "too many," but it's important to balance your extracurricular commitments with your academic responsibilities and personal well-being. Quality and depth of involvement are key factors in making your extracurricular activities stand out to admissions officers.

What are Tier 1 extracurriculars?

Tier I: Tier I activities are extremely rare. They are reserved for the very best students in the country (or world) at what they do (e.g. All-American Athlete, Olympic Gymnast, National President of DECA, National Debate Champion, etc.)

Is 10 extracurriculars too much?

If you have more than ten activities, you do not need to list all of them. In fact, on this part of the application, you can make a good argument that less is more. Instead of having a long list of activities, it's much more important to be able to show significant involvement in a few activities.

What are the 4 mistakes to avoid when applying for a college?

Can you lie a little on college applications?

While applicants sure can lie — and some may even get away with it for now — they shouldn't. Beyond it being morally wrong, if they get caught, it can cost their admission. Heck, even if they earn admission, it can lead to the revocation of their admission years later.

Is it bad to submit a college application at night?

It is always better to submit well before 11:59 pm to avoid last minute issues with your computer or internet access that might cause you to miss the deadline! Example 1: You are in New York and have an application with a deadline of January 1.