Guide to Extracurricular Activites

College Admissions Officers are looking for leadership & purpose with both  extracurricular activities and community involvement. 

o Leadership – showing you have the ability to inspire others,  take action and achieve results. 

o Purpose –   How does  this relate to what you want to do in the future? 

• They are looking for students who have taken leadership roles in athletics , school organizations, performing arts, community activities and jobs. 

• Staying committed to one or two major activities over time and  moving into a leadership role in Jr. or Sr. year is far more important  than being superficially involved in a greater number of activities. 

• Strong extracurricular roles will help you create a much more powerful profile and application.  Students won’t be admitted with  just good grades

• Extracurricular activities help students forge relationships with  eachers & other faculty members outside of class. This is important for recommendations.  

• Yearly guide: 

o Freshman – Explore variety with goal of selecting a few to be  dedicated to down the road. 

o Sophomore - Build skills in a few activities - participate more  (advisory committees). 

o 11th – take on leadership roles 

o 12th – continue leadership roles 

• Admissions no longer wants well rounded kids – they want pointy  kids.  They are designing a well-rounded class with pointy kids. A rep from Yale likened building a class each year to doing a mosaic.

• Activities that benefit others are more important than those that  simply benefit you or a small select group.