What Are Extracurricular Activities?

What are Extracurricular Activities?

When your GPA and standardized exam scores aren’t as high as they should be, extracurricular activities will help you become a strong candidate!

• Find a job!
• Having a job during high school can be advantageous because you are gaining valuable work experience and it looks very good on college applications. It shows that you are responsible, hardworking and not confined to just studying.
• Try to find a job that closely relates to your future career.
• If you wish to pursue medicine, then work at the dental office or hospital (i.e. receptionist, technician, pharmacy clerk)
• Don’t shy away from internships because they help build job experience.
• Plenty of summer internships are available.
• Jobs also help you save money for college and buy your own stuff.

• Volunteer
• Volunteer consistently throughout the four years.
• Don’t complete all of your volunteer hours in one month because it doesn’t look too attractive
• Don’t forget that sometimes students are awarded with scholarships for plenty of volunteer experience
• Think of volunteering as a job. If possible, try to volunteer 10-30 hours a week. This kind of a commitment will pay off. You may be able to put it onto your resume!
• Many volunteer opportunities arise in school clubs, organizations and city events

• If you are planning to pursue a career in medicine, then you must volunteer at a hospital, pharmacy, dental office or health related work setting.
• Continue volunteering at these healthcare settings while you are in college because they will be important for applications for medical, dental and pharmacy schools.
• If you plan to go to law school, try to volunteer in a setting closely related to law, policy and government.
• For example, volunteer at the city hall, library or private law firm.

• Be involved in a club
• Your goal is not to just sign up for clubs. Your goal is to be an active member and significant contributor
• Obviously, being a president or vice president is beneficial and looks very attractive
• Make sure you explain what you did as a president or vice president to the admissions committee
• Other positions are good too as long as you thoroughly explain what you did to the admissions committee
• Having no “official” positions won’t hurt your chances. Just give yourself a title that best describes your contribution to the club. Then thoroughly explain what you did in your application
• Creating a new club can be very beneficial
• This looks attractive on applications because you took the initiative to start a club or organization, and you will likely have a high position (i.e. President)
• Think outside the box! You can create an organization in your community rather than at school. For example, start an organization that takes care of the homeless, or even an afterschool program tailored for elementary school kids

• Involve yourself in research
• A lot of college students get involved in research opportunities. However, high school students involved in research is outstanding!
• Although it might be very difficult, try to get involved in a research related to your studies.
• Research can relate to biological science, chemistry, public health, psychology and sociology. 

• Join a band
• Join the school band, or sing for choir.
• Even creating a music band of your own can be helpful.      
• However, just make sure that you give a creative response for your college application

• Become an athlete
• Join a high school team sport, and try to be in the team for a couple of years.
• Not all of the sports are highly competitive; therefore, you have a good chance of joining a sport. If you are not good at basketball, baseball, football or soccer (futbol), then join track and field or cross country.
• Don’t restrict yourself to just high school sports. You can write on your college application that you play for club teams or for organized community sporting events.

• Join the high school student board
• Many students are involved in the student body. These students help set up rallies and sporting events for the school.

• Join the debate tam or speech team
• This looks attractive in college applications because of your participation in oral and written communication.

• Start a business
• Becoming an entrepreneur at such a young age is impressive! Take advantage of a bold challenge that many students hardly consider.
• Start a small business that doesn’t require a large expense.
• For example:
• Create and sell t-shirts and accessories. Build
• Build a software program or cell phone applications
• Start a tutoring business

These are some important choices students can consider for extracurricular activities. Having a wide variety of extracurricular activities with consistency is very attractive in college applications. These extracurricular activities can also apply for professional school, so continue being involved in college as well.

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