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 is classified as an extracurricular activity?

An extracurricular activity can be almost anything that isn't required for high school credit or paid employment that you do while you're in high school. These activities will become very important later, such as when you are applying to colleges, because they help you develop your talents, interests, and passions.

What doesn't count as an extracurricular?

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.

Do extracurriculars count as academic?

Extracurricular activities serve as an extension of the academic curriculum. While these pursuits can be organized by age group, such as high school programs, that is not always the case. Your teen could, for example, volunteer at a local charity or work part-time.

Does going to the gym count as extracurricular?

Going to the gym on your own lacks the formality of traditional extracurriculars. It would be kind of like listing reading for fun or playing an instrument for fun on your application (which you totally could, but it's better to include more formal activities with specific accomplishments).

HOW I GOT INTO HARVARD + 5 other Ivies, MIT, Caltech, & more | EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES + ADVICE

Do hobbies count as extracurriculars?

But here's the thing: when people talk about extracurricular activities, they're usually talking about the sports, clubs, hobbies, and community service activities that you'd want to add to a college admission application or resumé to show how well-rounded you are and how engaged you are with your community.

Do activities outside of school count as extracurricular?

Yes it counts. Extracurricular activities can be either inside or outside of school, including summertime. As the college counselor at my daughter's school explained it to her class, they want to know that you aren't sitting on a couch watching TV most of the time during the summer.

What are Tier 1 extracurriculars?

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.

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.

Can you get into Ivy League without extracurriculars?

Getting into an Ivy League school without any extracurriculars under your belt may be quite the challenge. Remember, you're competing against the best of the best. You should be able to demonstrate your interests outside of school to give your application the best chance of success.

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.

Are extracurricular activities a waste of time?

Everything else is nothing but a waste of time. But I, with all due respect and sincerity, think that people need to broaden their perspectives a little. Extracurricular activities – be it in school, college, or after we start working – are equally as critical for you to have a well-rounded life.

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.

Can you get into NYU with no extracurriculars?

Extracurriculars form a key part of your “how to get into NYU” strategy and NYU application. Don't let meeting the average NYU SAT scores or beating the informal NYU GPA requirements distract you from this part of the NYU application!

How many extracurriculars should I have for Harvard?

Aspiring Harvard students should aim for at least a couple of Tier 1-2 activities. It doesn't matter the area of interest; Harvard just wants to see you achieve success in your passion, as this indicates to them that you're likely to be successful in the future.

Are grades or extracurriculars more important?

First things first: grades matter most

While extracurricular activities are a factor in college admissions, they are definitely not the most important—academic performance is! Grades, a solid GPA, and the strength of curriculum matter most to the admission officers evaluating your student.

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.

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 much is too much extracurricular?

There's no magic number of activities. For some kids, even one intense activity like sports or theater might turn out to be too many. Other kids can handle several without getting stressed. Check in with your child to see how they feel about their balance of activities.

What are Tier 2 extracurriculars?

The second most prestigious group, Tier 2, includes activities that showcase students' larger achievements, such as being elected student body president. Tier 3 activities include smaller achievements, such as being editor of the school paper or treasurer of the history club.

Is watching movies an extracurricular?

For example, things like watching movies or playing video games would not be counted. Basically, recreational activities that you do for your own enjoyment don't make the cut because extracurriculars need to involve some concerted effort and contribute to your personal development.

How many extracurriculars should I have for Ivy League?

When it comes to Ivy League extracurriculars, the goal is to choose one or two passions and try to develop your skill in those areas. In other words, the Ivies want you to achieve tier one or two status in at least a couple areas.

What are 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.

What happens if my school doesn't offer extracurriculars?

If your school does not offer any extracurriculars, they likely do not have the budget to sponsor student clubs. However, you can still ask the administration to allow you to meet with your group in common spaces such as libraries or courtyards.

What sport looks best on a college application?