Key takeaways
- Extracurricular activities are programs, clubs, sports, jobs, and volunteer opportunities outside the classroom.
- Participating in extracurriculars can help you build skills, explore interests, and strengthen college applications.
- Colleges often value commitment and leadership more than the number of activities you participate in.
- Balancing school and extracurriculars can help you build time-management skills.
- Choosing activities you genuinely enjoy can help you get the most out of extracurriculars.
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Extracurriculars (ECs) are programs, clubs, sports, jobs, and volunteer opportunities outside the classroom. They are a great way for you to pursue something that you are interested in or passionate about. Not to mention, they look great on a college application.
There are many different kinds of extracurriculars. Our complete guide will walk you through everything from the types of extracurriculars to their benefits and how they impact your college application.
100 extracurricular activities
Not sure where to start? The right extracurricular choice depends on your interests, goals, and schedule. Checking out the possibilities is the first step toward finding a good match. Here are 100 extracurriculars to consider.
Sports
- Football
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Soccer
- Volleyball
- Tennis
- Track and field
- Cross country
- Swimming
- Wrestling
- Golf
- Cheerleading
- Dance team
- Lacrosse
- Hockey
Arts and creative activities
- Marching band
- Concert band
- Orchestra
- Choir
- Theater
- Music theater
- Art club
- Photography club
- Film club
- Creative writing club
- Pottery or sculpture club
- Graphic design club
Academic clubs
- Debate team
- Mock trial
- Model United Nations
- Science Olympiad
- Math club
- Chess club
- Quiz bowl
- Academic decathlon
- National Honor Society
- Tutoring club
- Peer mentoring
- Journalism or school newspaper
Leadership activities
- Student government
- Class officer
- Student council
- School board student representative
- Club leadership roles (president/vice president)
- Orientation leader
- Student ambassador program
- Campus tour guide
- Event committee
- Peer mentor
Volunteer opportunities
- Food bank volunteer
- Hospital volunteer
- Nursing home volunteer
- Animal shelter volunteer
- Habitat for Humanity volunteer
- Community cleanup projects
- Library volunteer
- Youth sports coaching
- Religious organization service work
- Charity fundraising events
Jobs and entrepreneurship
- Part-time retail job
- Restaurant job
- Babysitting
- Pet sitting
- Lawn care business
- Dog walking
- Lifeguarding
- Freelance graphic design
- Paid tutoring
- Small business owner or entrepreneur
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM)
- Robotics club
- Coding club
- Esports team
- Video game design club
- Engineering club
- Biomedical club
- Drone club
- Astronomy club
- Research internship
- Science fair projects
- App development club
- Cybersecurity club
Clubs and interest-based activities
- Foreign language club
- American Sign Language club
- Cultural awareness club
- International club
- Book club
- Poetry club
- Public speaking club
- Improv club
- Gardening club
- Environmental club
- Recycling club
- Yoga club
- Hiking club
- Culinary club
- Baking club
- Podcast club
- Martial arts
- Scouting programs
- Fire department explorer program
Guide to extracurriculars FAQs
What are the benefits of extracurricular activities?
Extracurriculars can help you build skills that go beyond the classroom. They can improve your time management, leadership, communication, and teamwork. They also give you a chance to explore interests, meet new people, and show colleges you’re well-rounded.
How many extracurricular activities should I do?
Most students do best with one to three ECs. Colleges prefer depth over quantity. It’s better to be deeply involved in a few activities than to join many without meaningful participation.
Do extracurriculars matter for college applications?
Yes. Extracurricular activities are an important part of your college application. They help colleges see your interests, personality, and commitment outside of academics. Strong involvement can help you stand out when other applicants have similar GPAs and test scores.
What types of extracurriculars are best?
There is no single “best” type of extracurricular. Colleges care more about your involvement and consistency than the specific activity. Whether you choose sports, music, volunteering, or work experience, it’s important to stay committed and show growth over time.
How can I balance extracurriculars with schoolwork?
Some students find it helpful to create a weekly schedule. Prioritize homework above optional commitments and don’t overload yourself with too many activities. Be sure to include time to rest so you don’t burn out.
Find your favorite extracurriculars
Colleges care more about how involved you are than which extracurricular activities you choose. You don’t need a long list. What matters most is consistency, effort, and growth.
Try a few activities you enjoy. You’ll find it easier to stick with them and they may even become lifelong hobbies. It’s important not to overfill your schedule and always prioritize your schoolwork. Balancing your extracurriculars and keeping your grades up can help you stand out when you apply for colleges.
Looking for colleges that fit your goals? College Raptor’s FREE College Match tool is an easy way to compare schools based on your major, location, and admission chances.
