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Are you curious about what extracurriculars Ivy League schools are actually interested in? Follow along for our guide for choosing extracurriculars for the Ivy League.
Extracurricular activities look great on any college application. They show that you maintain a healthy work/life balance and that you know how to blow off steam in a productive way outside of school. That said, certain extracurriculars may be more interesting to Ivy League schools than others.
Here we’ve compiled a list of the best extracurriculars for Ivy League schools, how many extracurriculars Ivy League schools want to see on your application, and why Ivy League schools care about extracurriculars.
Let’s get started!
It’s important to understand there is no perfect combination of extracurricular activities that will ensure your acceptance into an Ivy League school. As you can see from the statistics, Ivy League schools are incredibly selective.
They want to see your genuine passions through your extracurriculars. So, avoid signing up for extracurriculars you are not interested in simply to gain “points,” as it will come off as superficial.
In fact, at MIT, they’ve coined a term for applicants who take up activities simply to improve their application: it’s called applying sideways. MIT alumni Chris Peterson says, “Applying sideways, as a mantra, means don’t do things because you think they will help you get into MIT (or Harvard, or CalTech, or anywhere).”
He continues, “Instead, you should study hard, be nice, and pursue your passion because then you will have spent high school doing all the right things, and, as a complete side effect, you’ll be cast in the best light possible for competitive college admissions.”
The point here is to pursue your interests because you’re interested in them, not to get a gold star because, ultimately, you could do all the “right” things and still not get into the college of your dreams.
With that said, here are some examples of activities that may interest you based on the skills you may already have or want to develop.
Leadership is an excellent personal trait to develop as it can help you to learn independence, teamwork, and how to find your voice. You can improve your leadership skills through a number of different extracurricular activities, but here are some that Ivy alumni have partaken in:
Above are only a few examples of leadership-based activities. Remember to only participate in activities that genuinely interest you. Students who enjoy the above activities are often interested in pursuing law, government, acting, and/or business.
Leadership activities show your ability to take initiative, guide others, and make important decisions. Ivy League schools seek students who can excel academically, contribute to the campus community, and make a positive impact.
Dan, Stanford Admissions Counselor, says:
“Leadership is taking initiative, setting a vision, motivating other people, creating a movement. It's possible to be a student class president and not do any of that, or it's possible to be in an informal role and still create new projects and initiatives."
Something important to present to Ivy admissions is your ability to commit to whatever it is you like to do. To demonstrate this ability, it doesn’t matter what activity you like to do; it matters what you’ve done about it. Here are some examples of students demonstrating a commitment to their extracurricular passions:
In these examples, student A and student B have both demonstrated a commitment to their passion by taking their interest to the next level. Both had very different interests and developed them in ways that made sense for them. No matter what your passion is, ask yourself, “What can I do to pursue this on a higher level?”
Demonstrating commitment shows that you have the dedication and perseverance to pursue your passions. Ivy League schools value students who can maintain long-term commitments and continuously develop their skills and knowledge in a particular area.
Whether or not you are applying to an Ivy League school, it’s important to never stop learning. If you have an interest that you haven’t been able to work on in school, get out there and try! Here are some examples of extracurricular activities that allow for personal development:
The common theme here is to try something that scares you and never stop working on yourself. Whether it’s learning to roller skate or going to therapy, having the nerve to try new things and practice them is never going out of style.
Personal development activities demonstrate your curiosity, willingness to learn, and desire for self-improvement. Ivy League schools seek well-rounded students who actively pursue personal growth and are open to new experiences.
Initiative goes hand in hand with personal development, commitment, and leadership. The key to demonstrating initiative is to take things on yourself.
It’s one thing to simply join a group or sports team that already exists, but what happens if the extracurricular activity you want to do isn’t available? Do you settle for what’s available, or do you create a new opportunity?
Here are some examples of students taking initiative in an extracurricular setting:
Students C and D both demonstrate initiative by not allowing roadblocks to deter them from their passion. Once again, we see that the activity itself is not the main character here. When faced with challenges, these students took the initiative to be able to pursue their passion.
Demonstrating initiative shows your ability to identify opportunities, take action, and create positive change. Ivy League schools value students who are proactive, innovative, and willing to take risks. By taking the initiative to start a new project, organize an event, or solve a problem, you demonstrate that you have the leadership skills and entrepreneurial spirit necessary to succeed in a competitive academic and professional environment.
If you love learning, don’t shy away from that! Taking courses at a local college is a great summer activity for Ivy League schools. You can also take online or part-time courses during the school year that align with your interests and what you want to study at your desired Ivy League school.
Continuing to pursue academic activities outside of your regular high school curriculum demonstrates curiosity and a desire to learn. Those are two really important attributes that admission counselors want to see in applicants!
Academic activities outside of the regular high school curriculum are important for Ivy League applications because they demonstrate your intellectual curiosity and passion for learning. Ivy League schools seek students who are not only academically talented but also actively engaged in their education and eager to explore new subjects and ideas.
Extracurricular activities that serve your community look great on Ivy League applications. They show that you care about the people around you and the place where you live.
However, you need to make sure that you don’t just include random community service activities on your extracurricular list just to win points with the admissions committee. Choose something that actually interests you. For example, if you’re good with kids, you could volunteer at a daycare or summer camp.
Community-based activities demonstrate your commitment to making a positive impact on the world around you. Ivy League schools look for socially conscious students, empathetic and dedicated to serving others.
Having a job while also balancing coursework and maintaining good grades is an excellent item to include on your extracurriculars list. It shows that you can handle responsibility and that you have great time management skills.
Your job doesn’t have to relate to your chosen field of study, as it will demonstrate responsibility, but if you can secure a position related to what you want to study, all the better!
Work experience is important for Ivy League applications because it demonstrates your ability to balance multiple responsibilities, manage your time effectively, and develop practical skills. Ivy League schools value students who have real-world experience and can apply their knowledge and skills to practical situations.
Are you passionate about social issues? Put that passion to use! Admissions counselors love to see students engaging with the world around them in meaningful ways.
Try to make your activities relate to your field of study and your application narrative. For example, if you want to study civics and politics, you might start a project related to poverty and homelessness.
Social justice activities demonstrate your commitment to making a positive impact on society and addressing important issues. Ivy League schools value students who are socially conscious, empathetic, and dedicated to promoting equity and justice.
If you have the opportunity to do research at a local university, you should definitely go for it! Research-related activities demonstrate initiative and a drive for discovery. If you can get your findings published, that’s another big win.
Research-based activities demonstrate your intellectual curiosity, analytical skills, and ability to contribute to the creation of new knowledge. Ivy League schools value students who are not only academically talented but also actively engaged in the process of discovery and innovation.
We’ve added uniqueness to this list not to persuade you to pick up the weirdest extracurricular you can find but to encourage you to be 100% authentic. Your favorite extracurricular activities do not have to be anything we’ve mentioned or be confined to typical cliches such as sports teams or Eagle Scouts.
Special activities demonstrate your individuality, creativity, and willingness to pursue your passions. Ivy League schools value students who bring diverse perspectives and experiences to their campus communities. By engaging in activities that are unconventional or outside the mainstream, you show that you have the courage to be true to yourself and explore your interests, even if they don't fit the typical mold.
Whatever it is you like to do is valid; it’s what you do about it that counts. You could have a passion for monkeys, trains, wire sculptures, or animation - it doesn’t matter. What matters is how you’ve devoted your time to it and how you’ve developed your skills in that area over time.
Jenny, Harvard Admissions Counselor, shared three things to keep in minding before choosing extracurriculars:
"You want to make sure that the extracurriculars you're participating in are things that are aligned with your values, aligned with your interests, and kind of something you're genuinely passionate about and not the things that you're not doing just to check a box."
"Colleges are kind of aware of different financial circumstances and that's definitely something that you can incorporate kind of you know telling that story of how you spent your time maybe you don't have the time to do all these crazy clubs but you've got a lot of great experience doing these other types of things."
"You really want to take time to be reflective and assess your personal interests and passions. Make sure the activities you’re involved in are genuinely interesting to you and align with your long-term goals."
It’s just as important to be aware of activities that may harm your application as it is to know about ones that will improve it. When putting your college applications together, think twice before including these activities on your extracurriculars list!
It can be difficult to grasp exactly how extracurricular activities are used in the admission process, especially at Ivy League schools. Let’s debunk some common myths about extracurriculars to help you understand the process a bit better.
Some students can get caught up in trying to be a “well-rounded” applicant and try to participate in as many different activities as they can. But the truth is that a long laundry list of activities is not as impressive as it may seem!
Instead, aim to have several meaningful and engaging extracurriculars -- this tells the admissions committee much more about who you are. Demonstrated commitment over longer periods of time is also generally more desirable than short-term activities.
This is simply not true - extracurricular activities are a big part of your application!
Especially now that many Ivy League schools, and other top-ranked schools, are leaning into holistic admissions, you’ll need to pay close attention to the activities that you participate in. This helps give colleges a better picture of your application profile and narrative.
While extracurriculars are an important part of your application, as we’ve just stated, it’s important not to assume they can or will overshadow the academic parts of your application.
At Ivy League schools, nearly all of the applicants have high stats. To be competitive, you should have grades and test scores that are on par with the typical class averages. Then, your extracurriculars should round out your application. Unfortunately, it’s highly unlikely that they’ll make up for grades or test scores that fall well below the average.
This may differ depending on the school, but generally speaking, there is no “right” type of extracurricular activity. You should primarily focus on activities that are of interest to you. Having a genuine passion for an activity will set you apart more than participating in something in order to check a box.
When seeking out extracurriculars, start by tapping into what you're good at and what you enjoy. If music is your thing, think about joining the school band or choir or even starting your own music group.
But don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Exploring different activities can open doors to new skills and interests you never knew you had.
Also, think about the bigger picture. Look for activities that not only let you shine but also help you grow personally and professionally. For instance, volunteering at a hospital can show your caring side while giving you insight into the healthcare world.
Ultimately, pick activities that speak to you and line up with your goals. By choosing ones that play to your strengths and push you to develop, you'll make the most of your extracurriculars and leave a lasting impression.
Once you've identified which Ivy League schools are the right fit for you, take the time to research their specific criteria and preferences regarding extracurricular engagement.
Tailoring your application to meet each institution's standards and values can significantly boost your chances of acceptance. Remember, authenticity and enthusiasm are key, so focus on showcasing your genuine experiences and contributions. Quad Education Group can help you determine which activities are the best choices for you.
Suyin was taking AP classes and achieving top grades, planned to take the SAT/ACT, and held a stellar 4.0 unweighted GPA when she came to us for help. Although Suyin’s academic achievement was apparent, she felt she had very little extracurriculars to share. Find out how we helped Suyin find the perfect extracurricular activities.
For most students, two or three extracurricular activities are manageable while balancing a full course load, depending on the commitment involved in each. Keep in mind there is no magic number of extracurricular activities that will get you into Ivy League schools.
Whether you’re an international student applying, a domestic applicant, or someone with a unique background, Ivy League admissions officers are interested in the quality of your extracurricular involvement rather than the sheer quantity.
What’s important is to do what you can without putting your academic standing at risk. Do not overexert yourself with tons of extracurriculars while balancing a full-time schedule. Make sure you have ample time to rest, study, and maintain balance.
Here are our answers to some answers of the most frequently asked questions regarding what extracurriculars are best for Ivy League schools.
You should continue to do whichever extracurriculars YOU truly enjoy doing. Rather than adjusting your activities, try taking them to the next level instead. How can you take your passions to the next level? Drive, initiative, and leadership can all be demonstrated in any field while staying true to what interests you.
The short answer is yes! Ivy League schools absolutely care about extracurricular activities. You should be able to demonstrate that you are passionate and driven in and out of school throughout your application.
Getting into an Ivy League school without any extracurriculars under your belt may be quite the challenge. Remember, you’re competing against the best of the best. You should be able to demonstrate your interests outside of school to give your application the best chance of success.
Yes, you can include personal hobbies or interests on Ivy League applications as extracurricular activities. These activities can provide insight into your personality and character, but be sure to highlight any achievements or leadership roles within them.
An Ivy League extracurricular activity can be anything that adds to your application narrative and demonstrates leadership qualities. There is no set extracurricular activity that is exactly what Ivy League schools are looking for--they want to get to know you as an applicant!
So, be genuine and pursue things that you’re passionate about. This will serve you much better than trying to participate in everything and getting burnt out or including cliche activities that you don’t actually care about on your application just “because.”
Volunteering can certainly be a good extracurricular activity for Ivy League schools. It demonstrates compassion and care for your community.
However, bear in mind that many students who apply to Ivy League schools also participate in volunteering. So, try to differentiate yourself and find ways to take initiative or show leadership.
Extracurriculars are very important to Ivy League schools. As you may already know, the competition for getting into these top schools is as tough as it gets. You can pretty much guarantee that every other contender has ramped up impressive extracurriculars on their resumes.
What can make your extracurriculars stand out is authenticity, persistence, commitment, and leadership. Think about what truly interests you outside of academics. How can you take time to develop those interests? How can you apply yourself in every area of your life?
Ivy League schools are interested in passionate people who push their boundaries and continuously make efforts to learn and grow.
You don’t have to be perfect at everything you do; any successful person knows that failure is an essential part of growth. Just keep demonstrating your will to push forward and develop your own unique set of interests.
Make sure that whichever extracurriculars you participate in are authentic to your personal interests. You can demonstrate skills such as leadership, drive, commitment, and initiative in any field. Some students choose to organize an event surrounding their passion or find a related internship.
Whatever you do, avoid trying to impress the admissions committee with what you think they want. Instead, impress yourself! The rest will follow.
Good luck!
