So, I’ve made a few threads now asking about college admission advice. One primary concept I was introduced to was the importance of having a bustling Extracurricular list. Although I know this sounds almost silly- I just want to verify; what exactly defines and extracurricular activity?
Does it have to be sanctioned by the school or curriculum? For example, I volunteer nightly at an elderly center nearby. Would that be considered an extracurricular, or would I put- under ECs- something like Shotput Throwing and Debate?
Thank you in advance for the assistance and feel free to be as detailed as you wish, all advice here helps. You’re all great people for responding and helping people out, even if that’s just advice. So, thank you.
@happy1 Well no shuck, eh?! I had absolutely no idea. All this time I’ve been freaking out- I was never a man big with school-mandated extracurriculars. But I’ve helped out at the nearby homeless shelter, I spent a summer working free for my uncle in construction for the poor in rural New York, and, as mentioned, my nightly assistance at the elderly home. Aw jeez, @happy1 Thanks a bunch! You’ve really taken a load off of my back!
That said, should when it comes to ECs, should I ALSO list things like debate, or would that be in another section?
Extracurricular means any activities that are outside (“extra”) of your academic “curricula,” so yes, all your community services, sports, employment, debate, band, etc. are extracurricular activities. They don’t have to be school sanctioned.
ECs would include both in school and out of school activities. So things like debate, volunteering at a homeless sheter etc. would all go in the same list of ECs. Colleges don’t differentiate – they are looking for students who are active and involved but the activity itself can take place in school, the community, church etc.
