How many extracurriculars do colleges like to see?

Colleges are looking for applicants who are deeply engaged in somewhere between one and a few activities. Often, commitment to these passions lead students to serve in leadership roles, win awards, or accomplish other notable achievements.

How many extracurriculars do colleges like?

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. That being said, the most important thing to keep in mind is quality over quantity.

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.

Do colleges care a lot about extracurriculars?

It's true that colleges and universities like to see applicants spending their time on more than just school, but do they appreciate some activities more than others? While extracurricular activities are a factor in college admissions, they are definitely not the most important—academic performance is!

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.

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

Is 3 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.

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.

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 GPA more important than extracurriculars?

These experiences can definitely help you stand out in the college application process. That being said, it's important to remember that GPA is still a significant factor in most college admissions decisions. While extracurriculars can enhance your application, they may not be able to fully compensate for a low GPA.

What extracurriculars does Harvard like?

Strong Extracurriculars

Extracurricular activities can consist of community service, athletics, music, theater, or any other passions and commitments that students pursue outside of school. High school students who get into Harvard tend to have leadership positions when applicable.

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 it bad to have no extracurriculars?

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.

Do colleges want well rounded students?

Admissions Officers Want a Well-Rounded Class — Not Well-rounded Students. This is the key distinction: colleges aren't looking for well-rounded students. They want to build a well-rounded class. They desire a group of “pointy” specialists who create a balanced student body when they come together.

What is a Tier 1 extracurricular activities?

Any number of activities can fall under Tier 1—it's the success a student has had that influences the activity's value to colleges. Tier 1 activities can include athletic achievements, such as being a highly recruited basketball player or a nationally ranked tennis player.

Do colleges fact check activities?

The answer is a resounding no. In fact, with some exceptions, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which has historically fact-checked random batches of applications, admissions officers at elite universities rarely fact-check much of anything.

How many extracurriculars does Harvard want?

Harvard University does not have a specific number of extracurricular activities that they require for admission.

Is junior year too late for extracurriculars?

No need to stress too much about it, it's definitely not too late to join new clubs and activities in your junior year. Colleges appreciate students who show genuine interest in their extracurriculars, and it's better to get involved now than to not get involved at all.

Which GPA do most colleges look at?

As far as admissions are concerned, colleges use unweighed grades almost exclusively. In fact, most admissions offices will recalculate your scores using their own algorithms and re-compute the weighted grades your high school sent them.

How many extracurriculars should I have for Ivy League?

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.

Is senior year too late for extracurriculars?

It's never too late to get involved in extracurriculars. Senior year is still a good opportunity to explore new interests and demonstrate your dedication to a particular activity or club. Colleges appreciate seeing a student developing their character and skills, even if they start in their final year of high school.

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.

How many colleges should you apply too?

There is no magic number, but five to eight applications are usually enough to ensure that a student is accepted into a suitable institution (depending, of course, on the individual student's record and circumstances).

How many hours should your extracurriculars add up to?

During the school year, 25 hours is a solid amount of time to devote to extracurricular pursuits. If a student lists many more hours, admissions officers may find it difficult to believe (even if it's true). If a student lists significantly fewer hours, admissions officers may question the student's commitment.

Do colleges care about freshman year extracurriculars?

So, do colleges care about freshman year? The short answer is yes. Colleges want to see how much progress you've made throughout your high school career. They also want to see how much you've been willing to challenge yourself — both academically and in terms of extracurricular involvement.

How many extracurriculars should I have freshman year?

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.