Choosing and Perfecting Your Extracurricular Activities

By Arianna Martinez

Extracurriculars help share a holistic view of your application. They allow the admissions committee to understand your passions, strengths, and commitments.

There are a variety of extracurricular opportunities throughout your educational career. Unfortunately, for many schools, they lack the ability to SHARE those opportunities. Many underfunded public schools also have LESS options to choose from. However, it is always possible to research remote or separate opportunities. 

Examples:

High School 1, a technical school based in an impoverished city such as Bridgeport or Waterbury

  • Although they offer options for a technical career, they may lack in afterschool activities such as sports or unique clubs

  • A way to absolve this could be founding your own club, talking to others to create support/study groups, or even going outside your town to meet somewhere

On multiple occasions, I’ve traveled 40-60 minutes away to meet with my extracurricular groups that are based outside of my hometown

Oftentimes, accessibility is an issue in extracurriculars, not necessarily a student’s ambition. If you’re fortunate enough to have a license, car, or driver, take advantage of the freedom you have

High School 2, small private boarding school, based in a wealthy county, such as Fairfied 

  • These highschools are more competitive since there are a surplus of opportunities, which everyone is trying to achieve. 

  • Additionally, the demographic of students is often white and financially stable, giving them the opportunity to access the resources they need for unique extracurriculars

  • The downside of this is they can fall into a stereotype, and result as inauthentic or non-unique 

To make the most of your opportunities, regardless of where you may be on the spectrum of education, you must conduct your own RESEARCH

Research 

  • First establish your values and interests

  • Go into research with the mindset that you want to partake in activities you ACTUALLY care about

  • To have purposeful, meaningful work, you must dedicate yourself to it. You don’t want to end up with a large time commitment that you don't enjoy

  • For ex: If you’re interested in the arts and value community, research nonprofit organizations affiliated with the artistic community in your state. Local galleries, youth programs, schools, nonprofits, etc.

  • For ex: If you’re interested in STEM and value culture, research local ways to implement STEM into marginalized communities, find ways to combine your work in STEM with the culture around you (contests, school activities, friends, etc)

  • Start by looking in your own city, then move to neighboring towns, then county, then state

  • Choose what works for you and your schedule, if you find an activity based specifically at 3PM, and it’s an hour away, but you get out of school at 2PM, maybe reevaluate the logistics

  • Find out where, when, and what each activity/organization is that you’re interested in

Post Research

  • After you acquire a list you’re happy with, start reaching out for any questions or help you may need

  • Calculate what the next right steps are FOR YOU, Calculate the logistics 

  • And most importantly, commit the time. Put in the work for the activities you enjoy, as good things take time. 

    Example Activities:

  • Paid/Unpaid Internships 

  • Common jobs 

  • Sports (Club or at your school)

  • Arts (music, visual arts, dance, theater, etc)

  • STEM (robotics, research, medical clubs)

  • Challenges/Competitions

  • Even hobbies or at home responsibilities  

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