The Best Extracurriculars for College Admissions (Ranked from Worst to Best!)

Not all extracurricular activities are created equal. Some have a much stronger impact on your college applications than others. While anything you pursue outside of school can add value, certain activities showcase leadership, passion, and initiative far more effectively.

Here’s a ranking of the best extracurriculars for college admissions—from the least impressive to the most powerful.

7. Random Default Clubs or Volunteering ⭐☆☆☆☆

Why It’s Ranked Low:

Simply signing up for a club or attending occasional volunteering events without a clear commitment adds little value to your application. Colleges want to see impact, not just participation.

Examples:

• Joining Key Club but not taking an active role

• Volunteering a few times a year without long-term involvement

• Being a general member of 5+ clubs but not contributing significantly

What Colleges See:

❌ Lack of initiative or deep engagement
❌ No leadership or demonstrated impact
✅ Shows you’re involved, but doesn’t make you stand out

📌 Tip: If you love a club, take on a leadership role or start a project within it!

6. Random Internship or Summer Program ⭐⭐☆☆☆

Why It’s Ranked Low:

While an internship or summer program sounds good on paper, if it’s not related to your interests or lacks depth, it won’t impress admissions officers much.

Examples:

• Interning at a company without actually contributing much work

• Attending a paid summer program that doesn’t require a selective application

• Participating in a one-time event without follow-up work

What Colleges See:

❌ Passive participation rather than proactive learning
❌ Possible privilege factor if the program is expensive
✅ Can help if it’s selective or builds real-world skills

📌 Tip: If you get an internship, take on real responsibilities, build something tangible, or turn it into a bigger project!

5. Club Member in a Club or Volunteering You Care About and Stay Consistent In

⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Why It’s Ranked Higher:

Being an active, consistent member in a club or volunteering project shows dedication, even if you’re not in leadership. Colleges value long-term commitment over just stacking extracurriculars.

Examples:

• Volunteering every week for two years at an animal shelter

• Being a dedicated member of Debate Club or Robotics Club and contributing consistently

• Helping organize events or fundraising within a cause you care about

What Colleges See:

✅ Commitment and genuine interest
✅ Some level of contribution and impact
❌ No leadership, but still valuable

📌 Tip: If you’re consistently involved in something, find ways to take on more responsibility within it!

4. Club or Sport Leadership

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Why It’s Ranked Higher:

Holding a leadership position shows initiative, responsibility, and management skills. Leading a club or sports team is a strong way to demonstrate impact.

Examples:

• President of Key Club, DECA, or Model UN

• Team captain of a varsity sport

• Founding a new club at school

What Colleges See:

✅ Leadership, teamwork, and management experience
✅ Ability to influence and improve an organization
✅ Shows responsibility and initiative

📌 Tip: Leadership titles matter less than the actual impact you create within your role!

3. Winning a Major Competition

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why It’s Highly Ranked:

Winning or placing in a national or international competition is a huge achievement. It shows mastery in a specific field, problem-solving skills, and the ability to succeed in high-pressure environments.

Examples:

• Winning FBLA or DECA competitions

• Placing in Math Olympiad, Science Fairs, or Speech & Debate Nationals

• Winning a state or national athletic competition

What Colleges See:

✅ Proof of talent and skill at a high level
✅ Recognition beyond your school
✅ Competitive excellence

📌 Tip: Even if you don’t win, advancing to higher levels in competitions still looks impressive.

2. Research or Creating Something with Real-World Impact

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why It’s Highly Ranked:

Colleges love applicants who build something tangible or conduct original research because it shows intellectual curiosity and initiative.

Examples:

• Conducting research with a professor and publishing findings

• Creating an app, website, or business

• Writing and publishing a book or launching a journalism project

What Colleges See:

✅ Independent thinking and problem-solving
✅ Intellectual curiosity and deep engagement
✅ Ability to create real-world impact

📌 Tip: If you’re doing research or building something, document your work through a blog, portfolio, or personal website!

1. Passion Projects (The Best for Standing Out!) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why It’s #1:

A passion project is the ultimate way to stand out because it demonstrates initiative, leadership, and creativity outside of structured school activities. Unlike competitions or club leadership, a passion project is entirely self-driven, making it more unique.

Examples:

• Starting a nonprofit that solves a real-world issue

• Launching a YouTube channel, blog, or podcast on a niche topic

• Building a startup or business that generates revenue

• Creating a community movement that inspires change

What Colleges See:

✅ True passion and long-term dedication
✅ Leadership and self-motivation
✅ Real-world impact beyond school

📌 Tip: The best passion projects align with your future goals and interests—show colleges who you really are!

Final Thoughts

While all extracurriculars have value, passion projects stand out the most because they showcase creativity, leadership, and impact beyond school activities. If you want to take your college application to the next level, start working on something that truly excites you.

Need help launching a passion project? Seretii provides mentorship, resources, and a community to help you build something meaningful. Get started today!