For high school students, the array of extracurricular activities offered at most schools can seem both enticing and overwhelming.
For hopeful college applicants, strong grades and test scores are just the beginning. Extracurricular activities provide a window into a student’s passions, character, and potential.
“We look at the depth of a student’s involvement,” explains Rachel Labrecque, Waterford High School alum, former college admissions officer, and current academic coach. “It’s not just about listing a variety of clubs, but understanding the impact they’ve made.”
Extracurriculars often serve as a tie-breaker between candidates with similar academic profiles. “If we have two students with comparable GPAs and test scores, their extracurriculars can be the deciding factor,” Labrecque notes. “We’re looking for what makes them unique.”
While there’s no magic formula, certain activities tend to catch the eye over others. “Significant involvement in community service, independent research, or leadership roles often stands out,” says Labrecque.
Leadership isn’t just about holding a title, as there is a clear difference between simply showing up and truly putting in the effort required to go above and beyond.
Labrecque recalls a candidate whose application was significantly boosted by their extracurriculars: “This student started a coding club at their school and organized workshops for underprivileged kids in the community. It showed initiative, passion, and a commitment to helping others.”
For students navigating their extracurricular choices, the advice is clear: “Focus on activities you genuinely care about,” college-bound Senior Hailey Fusconi advises. “Don’t spread yourself too thin. It’s better to be deeply involved in a few activities than barely involved in many.”
While participation in clubs and organizations offers opportunities for personal growth and community engagement, it’s crucial to approach these choices strategically, especially with an eye toward college admissions.
Club participation and choices impact students’ futures. Even more significant than many academics or sports, the clubs one chooses to participate in can be extremely important, from the advantages they could provide in applications to the people someone associates with.
There are various clubs offered at Waterford High School, some of the most common additions to applications being the Lancer Leadership Council, Model UN, Yearbook, Science Bowl, WATERFORDrama, Key Club, and Peer Tutoring. Many of these clubs can greatly increase appeal to various programs and opportunities, especially when they coincide with one’s plans for the future.
Many of these clubs are academically motivated and are used for applications to honor societies, colleges, or out-of-school programs. Many students choose the clubs they participate in for the experience offered; however, it also pays to take into account the experiences one could gain from just having been an active member of the right extracurriculars.
Often, the clubs are the difference between acceptance and rejection, especially among the higher-achieving students and the more competitive opportunities they apply for.
In general, clubs can greatly expand a student’s knowledge and comfort level with topics of interest, or even those a student plans to pursue in the future. For many honor societies, certain clubs are required to gain admission, such as the Science National Honor Society, which requires active membership of at least one science-based club.
