Beyond the Checklist: 10 Extracurriculars That Actually Impress Top Colleges

Let's be real. Applying to college, particularly to top universities such as Stanford, Harvard, or Columbia, can be daunting. With AP courses, SAT prep, and essay deadlines, it's not difficult to see extracurriculars as merely another task.

But here's the truth: your life outside the classroom may be the strongest aspect of your application.

They introduce you to colleges when you are outside of grades. They expose what piques your interest and what keeps you awake at night positively. Above all, they illustrate how you use your time when you are not taking orders.

If you're unsure what extracurriculars actually count and how you should select the right ones for you, let's dig in.

What Constitutes an Extracurricular Anyway?

Essentially, it encompasses anything that is not part of your required academic curriculum. This includes:

• Clubs and teams

• Volunteering

• Internships

• Part-time jobs

• Independent projects

• Competitions

• Creative work

• Online courses or research

• Even routine child care for a sibling

If it takes time, effort, and demonstrates genuine interest, it's counted.

And yes, they do matter. A recent survey by NACAC revealed that more than 50% of colleges rate extracurriculars as moderately to significantly important in admissions.

10 Extracurriculars for Top Colleges That Actually Matter

Experienced admissions readers are seeking some things. Choosing the right extracurriculars for top colleges isn’t about doing everything—it’s about doing a few things well and with passion. It's not about the quantity of activities, it's about the consistency, creativity, and impact.

1. Leadership That Feels Authentic

It's easy to join a club. But to lead one, found one, or produce an event demonstrates that you can build something out of nothing and get people mobilized.

For instance, a student turned a school coding club into a middle school student mentorship program. That's the impact.

2. Part-Time Jobs

Whatever it is that you're scooping, registering, or stocking, a job demonstrates maturity and responsibility. It indicates to colleges that you can balance your time and fulfill actual-life commitments.

Perk: You may also receive a very positive recommendation from your supervisor.

3. Internships and Shadowing

Gaining real-world experience in an area that interests you demonstrates you're planning ahead. Even a few hours weekly at a neighborhood start-up or clinic can be valuable.

Ananya, a student at BetterMind Labs, comes from a family of doctors (radiologists). While shadowing her aunt at a hospital, she got curious about how AI could support diagnoses.

Through our program, she learned to work with basic machine learning tools and datasets. She built a mini project exploring tumor detection using open-source medical scans.

4. Student-Led Passion Projects

These are incredibly worth it. Why? Because they are student-led, demonstrating initiative and motivation.

Examples are:

• Creating a podcast on teen mental health

• Developing a website for a community non-profit

• Creating a language-learning app

• Starting a YouTube series on astrophysics

During the summer after 10th grade, a student watched in awe as the LA wildfires consumed neighborhoods just miles from his cousin's home. Inspired to act, he joined a mentorship program and developed an AI algorithm to forecast wildfires from satellite imagery and past weather patterns. Not only did it give him real-world application, but it was also the story he shared in his Common App essay.

Courses such as Google AI Essentials, Google AI for Anyone, and BetterMind Labs enable students to develop actual-world projects with or without any coding background. It bridges the gap between wanting to learn and doing.

5. Non-Performative Community Engagement

Volunteering to earn hours does not cut it. Colleges know that.

Instead, emphasize local actions, long-term dedication, and tangible solutions.

For instance, a student started a digital literacy class for elderly people in her community. She did not just appear; she built something meaningful.

6. Sports and Athletics

Whether you are playing at a Division 1 level or not, sports impart discipline, time management, and perseverance. You score extra points if you've been in a leadership position or coached junior athletes.

7. Academic Competitions and Clubs

If you're interested in math, science, writing, or public speaking, lean into it.

Whether it is the Science Olympiad, Model UN, or the National History Day contest, universities like to see intellectual passion outside of the classroom.

8. Creative or Artistic Work

Not everything needs to be about STEM. Activities in visual arts, film, music, dance, or fashion design show creativity and passion.

If you've performed, published, or showcased your work, that's even better.

9. STEM Innovation and Tech Projects

If you've made something — an app, a tool, a model — you're already ahead.

One teenager created an AI model to study stock market trends and posted his results on a live website. Another designed a stress predictor for IT professionals with machine learning, a project he worked on through a high school AI Program by BetterMind Labs.

BetterMind Labs, for example, has enabled students to turn imaginative concepts into reality, from brain tumor detection algorithms to mental health software, all with the guidance of actual mentors.

Want to get an idea? Take a look at some student projects here.

10. Entrepreneurship

Creating something from the ground up, even a micro-enterprise or community initiative, says a lot.

It doesn't have to make money. It just has to solve a genuine problem or unite people.

For instance, a student held a thrift swap at her school to minimize waste. Another created a budgeting app for teenagers.

So… What Should You Do?

The reality is, the most significant extracurriculars won't be checked off a list. They'll be the result of your curiosity.

Ask yourself:

• What would I do even if nobody asked me to?

• What problem irritates me enough that I want to solve it?

• What subject would I research for hours?

Then take a step towards making something about it.

If you're looking to explore new fields, whether it's AI, data, tech, or something entirely different, but aren't sure where to start, seek out programs that offer real guidance, mentorship, and structure. BetterMind Labs is one of the few that delivers all three, welcoming individuals from any background, with no prior experience required.

Final Thoughts

Colleges aren’t just admitting GPAs. They’re building communities. They need musicians, builders, organizers, thinkers, creators, and quiet doers. Your extracurriculars show who you really are.

You don’t have to be “well-rounded.” You need to be rooted in your values, your curiosity, and your commitment.

Pick a few things. Go deep. Build something. Assist someone. Learn more.

That’s why we started BetterMind Labs—an AI program for high school students who want to create real projects, explore ideas that matter, and build skills that go beyond the classroom.

Do not do this because a college expects it; do it because you want to. That’s what will set you apart.

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Relevant Links

• The Shift in College Admissions ("Spiky" vs. "Well-Rounded"):

  • https://www.myprompt.com/post/the-myth-of-the-well-rounded-applicant

  • https://veritasessays.org/college-admissions-blog/posts/college-admissions-well-rounded-v-spike

  • https://ingeniusprep.com/blog/well-rounded-vs-pointed-students-is-it-better-to-be-egg-shaped/

• The Value of Independent and Passion Projects:

  • https://www.collegeadvisor.com/resources/independent-projects-college-admissions-success/

  • https://www.collegematchpoint.com/college-matchpoint-blog/2020/1/3-benefits-of-an-independent-study-or-capstone-project

  • https://studentresearchgroup.com/independent-research/

• Getting Started with High School Research Projects:

  • https://www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/independent-research-project-high-school

  • https://www.indigoresearch.org/blog/independent-research-project-high-school-students

  • https://pioneeracademics.com/news/how-to-guide-for-research-projects-for-high-school-students/

• AI Project Ideas for High School Students:

  • https://www.simplilearn.com/tutorials/artificial-intelligence-tutorial/ai-project-ideas

  • https://www.crimsoneducation.org/in/blog/passion-project-ideas/

• Information on Student Projects Mentioned:

  • Antibiotic Resistance: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7692722/

  • Medical Misinformation: While a specific project by "Ishita Sabbineni" isn't found, here is a relevant link on the topic: https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2023/how-journalists-can-use-ai-to-fact-check-medical-misinformation/

  • Chiral Molecules: While a specific project by "Alexei Manuel" isn't found, here is a relevant link on the topic: https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/chiral-molecules-get-a-new-twist/631.article