Activities That Help You Stand Out on Your College Application

Thousands of people apply to colleges and universities every year, and differentiating yourself from the other applicants can feel pretty daunting. Some kids already know their dream school or major at the beginning of high school — or even sooner — and may participate in extracurriculars and other activities to set themselves up for acceptance into a specific school or program. But it’s okay if you don’t! 

Whether you started early thinking about how to beef up your college application or not, there’s no better time than the present to start. Check out our list of ideas.

Pursue your interests

If you’ve had a passion since elementary school, absolutely know your career path, and are determined to attend a top-tier institution, this section’s for you. Top colleges, including the Ivys, want students who are engaged and passionate about their fields. Taking a class or joining a club related to your interests isn’t enough. These institutions expect to see evidence of sustained, high-level commitment, which might involve conducting independent research, interning with a local organization, or advocating for a cause you care deeply about.

Some advisors suggest starting early, with high school freshmen exploring interests through introductory classes, extensive reading, and relevant club memberships. Sophomores and juniors should seek more advanced opportunities, such as internships, research projects, or leadership roles within their chosen areas. 

Don’t despair if you’re on a different timeline, however. If you don’t find your core interest until you’re in 10th or 11th grade, it’s not too late to dig deep and get granular, building your understanding to showcase your knowledge when it’s time to apply. Since your interests may have evolved — and honestly, whose don’t? — highlight that evolution and growth in your application essay. 

But what if you really don’t know what you’d like to do when you grow up? That’s okay, too! Colleges want to see applicants with unique backgrounds and perspectives. Plenty of other extracurriculars may align with your interests!

Academic clubs

Chemistry club, debate team, French club, math leagues, science fairs, or scholastic scrimmage represent a few ways to showcase your intellectual curiosity and talents. Participating in these clubs strengthens college applications and opens doors to lasting friendships, personal growth, and exciting opportunities.

Being a member of your school’s robotics team or coding club can highlight your problem-solving, teamwork, and technology skills, making you stand out in a competitive college application process. Plus, clubs provide avenues to compete for national — and even international — recognition. Some clubs offer merit-based scholarships or internships that can reduce the burden of college tuition. 

Athletics and sports

High school sports offer more than physical benefits; they teach life skills like teamwork, discipline, time management, and leadership. Whether you play a team sport such as soccer or basketball or an individual sport like tennis or track, participating shows you can balance academics and athletics. Colleges value students who can manage competing priorities, and excelling in sports can lead to athletic scholarships to help reduce costs. Leadership roles such as team captain demonstrate your ability to motivate others, resolve conflicts, and take initiative.

Community service

Community service allows you to give back, build character, and develop empathy, leadership, and teamwork skills (among others). Volunteering helps you connect with like-minded individuals and deepen your understanding of your community’s needs, whether you work at a food bank, tutor students, or help with environmental efforts. The College Board said college admissions officers view community service as a key component — along with academic achievement, extracurriculars, and personal qualities — they use to evaluate applicants. 

Creative and artistic pursuits

Use your creative talents in visual arts, music, theater, or writing to enhance your college applications. Participate in summer camps and showcases. Take other classes to help build your portfolio. Highlight your artistic pursuits on your application and send a sample (if allowed), or sign up for an audition if it’s part of the college application process.

Entrepreneurial projects

Have an idea that would make the world a better place? You don’t have to wait until you graduate from high school to start! Entrepreneurial projects are a great way to showcase your creativity, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Whether you start a small business, organize a community event, or develop a solution for a local problem, these projects demonstrate initiative and a desire to make a difference. An added bonus? If your project addresses a real-world need, you may even qualify for a scholarship!

Internships

Internships give you hands-on experience, allowing you to explore career interests, take on meaningful responsibilities, and hone your communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. These experiences show colleges you’re serious about your future career and committed to learning more about it.

Interning in a field related to your planned major — law, technology, medicine — demonstrates initiative and focus. Beyond new skills, you gain networking opportunities with professionals, which can lead to future job prospects or mentorships.

Leadership roles

High school is the perfect time to develop your leadership skills by taking on these roles in clubs, sports teams, other student organizations, or even at your part-time job. You’ll get hands-on experience managing, organizing, taking initiative, and making decisions — necessary abilities colleges and future employers seek. Leadership roles teach you to communicate effectively, motivate others, and manage group dynamics while also learning from mentors and building confidence and a sense of accountability.  

Part-time jobs

Another great way to develop real-world skills, build your resume, and stand out in college applications? A part-time job. About 80% of applicants to the University of Cambridge have some work experience. You learn and develop many skills like communication, customer service, problem-solving, teamwork, and time management. You also gain exposure to real-world scenarios, learning more about different industries and professional environments.

Work experience doesn’t just help fill your bank account or expand your resume. It shapes your perspectives and expands your abilities. The maturity and personal growth you gain from navigating real-world challenges are qualities colleges appreciate. If your job is related to your major — like interning at a hospital for a future in medicine or working at a tech startup for a career in computer science — you can potentially gain an edge in the admissions process.

Scientific and technological innovations

If you love all things science and tech-related, seek out extracurricular opportunities to build on that love. From coding and robotics to science fairs and gaming, these activities show colleges you’re curious, creative, and eager to make a difference in the world. Have an idea for a new app? Several excellent programs, like MIT’s App Inventor, Glide, Thunkable, and MAD-learn, will teach and guide you through the process. 

What to choose?

This list is just a small sampling of extracurriculars out there. Our advice? Choose one (or more) that speaks to you and sparks your interest. And if the club you want doesn’t exist (yet), start your own! Creating a club demonstrates many skills college admissions officers value, too, like initiative and leadership.

Want more tips and insights? Check out our full Guide to College Admissions here.