Is it only sports and clubs, or can it be hobbies too?
Another Question: Does helping out around the house count if you do it regularly (probably not, right?)
Forget helping around the house unless it’s something unusual like personal care for your sister who is quadraplegic.
Hobbies can count but it “depends.” I would say most colleges want to see something you do passionately or intensely, and it helps if it involves other people. Sitting in your room reading, doing cross-stitch, or building models isn’t going to cut it.
But if you build model airplanes and have entered them in contests, that might be worth mentioning. Reading doesn’t make the cut, but reading to the blind would. Needlework might make the cut if you produce prolifically and donate it to the local hospital or charity auctions. Get the picture?
If you don’t do sports, think “community service” and “recognition for excellence.”
I like how @alooknac put it. Technically anything outside of your regular school program qualifies but that doesn’t mean it is helpful to put every activity on an application. What rises to “app worthy” may be subjective, but most will agree that ordinary/common activities can be app worthy if the circumstances and results are exceptional or unique.
Example hobbies that qualify as extracurricular activities are these:
-Programming video games
-Writing a book
-Running a business
-Being a YouTuber
Depends on the subject matter of YouTube videos.
This question comes up all the time. It’s important to distinguish between ECs and ECs that are helpful for college admissions.
Any activity that a student spends significant time on outside the classroom can be an EC but some, such as torturing small animals, aren’t helpful for admissions.