How many extracurricular activities should you have?

Though 5 – 6 is the most ideal amount, that's not to say that some students don't do well with fewer activities – sometimes significantly fewer!

Are 3 extracurriculars enough?

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.

Is 5 extracurriculars too much?

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.

How many extracurriculars does the average student do?

On average, these teens took part in two to three extracurricular activities and spent about 5 hours per week on them. About 20% were not involved in any activities, and only about 3% devoted more than 20 hours a week to them.

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.

HOW I GOT INTO YALE, STANFORD, PRINCETON & UCLA/BERKELEY | your one-stop guide to everything college

Is it OK to have no extracurriculars?

While extracurricular activities can bolster a college application and showcase a well-rounded personality, they are not the sole determining factor for admission. Colleges also significantly emphasize academic performance, standardized test scores, personal essays, and letters of recommendation.

Is 7 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 do you need to get into Harvard?

For most students, two or three extracurricular activities is manageable while balancing a full course load, depending on the commitment involved in each. Keep in mind there is no magic number of extracurricular activities that will get you into Ivy League schools.

How many extracurriculars does Harvard have?

We have more than 450 student organizations focused on everything from politics and photography to dance and debate. Whatever your interests, you can explore them at Harvard.

What is the most common extracurricular?

Sports might be the most common extracurricular activity that springs to mind. Almost all high schools offer athletic programs, whether varsity, junior varsity, or club sports. Check with your teen's school for a complete list of school-sponsored athletic programs.

What is considered weak extracurriculars?

The most common “weak” extracurricular profile is simply one that is nonexistent or bare bones. Admissions officers don't want couch potatoes; they want to accept students who will become involved in the learning community. A student with little or no extracurricular involvement is undesirable.

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.

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 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.)

What are Tier 1 activities?

Tier 1 activities are rare and demonstrate exceptional achievement or leadership. The impressiveness of what a student has accomplished in their pursuit and the scarcity with which such activities are seen make them extremely impactful with admissions officers.

Does GPA matter more than extracurriculars?

Extracurricular activities are not the most important factor in a college application. Coursework and GPA, for instance, bear more weight.

What GPA is required for Harvard?

The GPA requirements for Harvard University are between 3.9 to 4.1. You will need an incredibly high GPA and will likely be graduating at the top of their class in order to get into Harvard University.

What is the average GPA for Harvard?

Average GPA: 4

The average GPA at Harvard is 4. (Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

How many extracurriculars does MIT want?

Extracurricular activities

We ask for only four activities on our application because we want to know what you are passionate about, what is most important to you—not what you think we want to see.

Can I get into Stanford with a 3.7 GPA?

There is no minimum GPA or test score, nor is there any specific number of AP or honors courses you must have on your transcript in order to have your application reviewed or be admitted to Stanford.

What GPA is required for Yale?

What GPA is required for Yale? Applicants' GPA when applying to Yale should ideally be close to a 4.0 to be strong candidates. Having less than this will require compensating by having outstanding extracurricular activities and an exceptional personal statement.

What is the hardest school to get into?

Niche, a ranking and review site, recently published its list of the “2023 Hardest Colleges to Get Into.” Using data from the U.S. Department of Education on various colleges' acceptance rates and SAT/ACT scores, they found, unsurprisingly, Harvard University to be the most difficult college to get into.

What is a Tier 2 extracurricular activities?

Tier 2 Extracurricular Activities

Admissions committees simply encounter these activities more frequently than they do those in tier 1. For example, you might serve as student body present, make it to state tournaments for tennis, or you could win a local or regional contest.

What if you have more than 10 extracurriculars?

Don't worry if you have more than 10 activities you want the admission counselors to know about. Many colleges allow you to upload a full extracurricular resume as part of your application. Alternatively, you may be able to find ways to reference additional extracurriculars in your supplemental essays.

Can you have too many extracurriculars?

Engaging in too many extracurricular activities or participating in activities that do not interest your child can have a negative impact on your child. In deciding whether your child should continue, cut back, or stop participating in an extracurricular activity, look for signs that your child may feel overscheduled.