What Is An Extracurricular Activity?

Your high school years are one of the best opportunities you will ever get to explore new activities, try different things, and see what you're passionate about. Inside the classroom and outside of it, you’ll start to get a better idea of who you are and what drives you.

It may seem odd that colleges are going to be interested in how you choose to spend your free time. The reality is that, combined with your grades and test scores, extracurricular activities are one of the best ways that colleges will be able to get an idea of who you are.

What Counts as an Extracurricular Activity?

First, let’s talk about what an extracurricular activity looks like.

The word “extracurricular” can be broken down into its roots for a literal explanation: “extra” means “outside” and “curricular” refers to all of the work you do in the classroom. So extracurricular activities are just activities that you do outside of class. The Common App says that extracurricular activities “include arts, athletics, clubs, employment, personal commitments, and other pursuits.”

Almost anything that you are actively and productively involved in can be considered an extracurricular activity.

Sports, which includes playing on a school sport team, an intramural team, or a club team outside of your school.

Community Service, which includes any sort of volunteer work, either in your community, on a national scale, or abroad.

Employment, including any jobs or internships.

Arts, which includes visual arts, performing arts, comedy, culinary arts – this list is almost endless.

Hobbies, such as blogging, a film club, hiking, Rubik’s Cube competitions, Cosplay, and more.

Academic activities, such as math or science clubs or competitions, research, or writing.