What Extra-Curricular Activities Are Colleges Most Interested In?

While it is true that college admission counselors are interested in well-rounded students, it is the student who has dedicated him/herself to a specific passion over a lengthier period of time, becoming a master at this passion, who is going to attract the attention of the colleges.

Kids who "dabble" in a number of sports and activities are many. Even with high GPA's and strong essays, their applications may end up lost in the pile. The student who instead, has been able to maintain a fierce and long-term dedication to mastering a musical instrument, acting on the stage, leading his or her team to victory, etc., is displaying a focused interest that is more rare today than it has ever been, and is most definitely a desirable quality in the work world.

This does not mean that the concert pianist cannot also play soccer; in fact, the combined interests will serve him well on the application and in life. However, those students who have one primary focus, especially if within this focus there is evidence of leadership as well (not just being on the team but serving as team captain, not just in the drama performances but taking on the roles of various leads, not just interested in martial arts but obtaining high rankings as well as teaching the younger kids)are revealing that they can not only start something, but are able to see an activity through to an impressive finish.

Being hired for a job can be easy. Remaining in a career, and growing with the position is more difficult. The college application should reflect this long-term focus and commitment. Teens who list a number of activities that they merely "joined" or participated in, are showing nothing more than that they joined a lot of activities. I encourage my students to focus on one or two of these activities that they feel impassioned for, and to find a way to reach the top in those areas, rather than aiming to build a shopping list of participation activities.

I also remind my students who were unable to participate in a lot of extracurriculars due to the need to work or care for other family members, to identify the most important skills they learned about people and the working world through these life circumstances. Admissions counselors realize that not every applicant has been given the same advantages in high school. It's often not what a student was able to participate in but what he or she has internalized from his or her experiences, that attracts the attention of the admissions counselors.