<p>I looked up a lot of things and I thought I understood exactly what counts and what doesn't, but recently I have heard some contradictions. I haven't done a lot of extracurriculars but after reading something, I may have more than I initially thought I had.</p>
<p>First, is Spanish/French club an extracurricular? I originally thought it was, then I asked a girl in the club and she said no, it was simply a club. When I went there, everything seemed kind of unofficial. In fact, the whole hour was spent on making quesadillas. We did have to sign in though. The next meet is kind of unofficial as well, but I think it is soon. If I go to these, do they count as extracurriculars? </p>
<p>Also, does taking tennis lessons count towards an extracurricular activity? </p>
<p>Does an extracurricular have to be a clear cut and official group like high school football or debate? </p>
<p>This question probably sounds fairly obvious to most people, so sorry if this post seems a bit unnecessary.</p>
<p>For college purposes, I think clubs count as extracurriculars.</p>
<p>A club is an extracurricular. Any activities that you do that are done on a basis that is more than just doing it at home is what an extracurricular should be, IMO.</p>
<p>Anything that is not required by school is technically extracurricular but I’m sure organized activities that are sanctioned by some authority (like a school) is much more impressive to a admissions officer. You also have to state how many hours and weeks you have participated and your school counselor can be contacted about anything on your application so use common sense. </p>
<p>Clubs are ec’s. playing tennis on your own separate from high school is an ec’s. I think anything done on a regular basis outside the learning classrooms is extra curricular. </p>
<p>An EC is basically anything productive you do outside of school, except for really passive things like reading. </p>
<p>I agree that both of these are ECs. Just to give you some other ideas, ther things my kids have done that they put down:</p>
<ul>
<li>Entomology (one kid was an insect collector)</li>
<li>Fencing club (lessons and a few competitions, not at all related to school)</li>
<li>Summer programs they attended (language camp, an engineering camp, quiz bowl camp, a summer program where one earned college credit)</li>
<li>Part time jobs/internships</li>
<li>Bluebird trail monitoring and other birding activities (bird counts, etc)</li>
<li>Volunteer time</li>
</ul>
<p>Don’t take any more advice on your application from the girl in your Spanish/French club. :)</p>