<p>I think you have to take the word literally: extracurricular, what do you do when you're not in school? Basically, selective colleges are looking for interesting kids who do interesting things. Activities or interests don't have to be the garden variety, like school sponsored sports or clubs. They can be talents, passions, hobbies -- whatever the student does in his spare time.</p>
<p>It's up to the applicant to communicate those interests in their applications, positively and enthusiastically but without embellishment. This can be done in many ways e.g. in resumes or activity lists, in essays, in recommendations, in arts supplements.</p>
<p>Oregonian & Katla, your sons sound like they're going in the right direction. They just need to focus and amplify their interests in their applications and they'll be fine.</p>