How to Build a Smart Extracurricular Strategy for College Admissions

When it comes to college admissions, you already know your GPA and SAT/ACT scores matter. But did you know that your extracurricular activities can be just as influential?

According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling’s Fall 2023 data, over 50% of four‑year colleges rated extracurricular activities as at least moderately important in their admissions decisions, while roughly 6 percent cited them as considerably important. Among the most selective schools—where many applicants have similarly strong grades and test scores—extracurricular activities often carry weight comparable to academic credentials.

That makes sense. Your transcript and test scores reflect your academic ability. But your activities outside the classroom help colleges understand who you are as a person—your passions, your character, your drive, and your potential contributions to their campus.

So how do you make the most of your time outside of school? Here’s how to build a strategic, meaningful extracurricular profile that enhances your application—and reflects your authentic interests.

Focus on Depth, Not Breadth

Let’s bust one of the biggest college admissions myths: You don’t need to be “well-rounded” to get into a good college.

Instead, what matters more is showing depth—sustained commitment, leadership, and impact—in a few areas that genuinely matter to you. In 9th and 10th grade, it’s normal (and encouraged!) to try a variety of clubs, sports, and other activities. But by junior year, narrowing your focus can help you stand out.

Admissions officers are looking for what’s sometimes called a “spiky” profile—a student who shows exceptional engagement or achievement in one or two key areas. Whether that’s science research, community organizing, classical piano, or robotics, your extracurriculars should tell a story about who you are and what you care about.

Tip: Activities that you enjoy are the ones you’re most likely to stick with—and succeed in. Don’t join clubs just to pad your resume.

Use School-Based Activities as a Launchpad

Your high school likely offers a variety of ways to get involved—from student government and National Honor Society to sports teams, music ensembles, and academic clubs. These are excellent starting points for developing your interests, leadership skills, and relationships with teachers who may later write your recommendation letters.

Look for ways to go beyond passive participation. That could mean running for a leadership position, organizing an event, or launching an initiative that solves a real problem.

Connect Extracurriculars to Academic and Career Interests

Strong extracurriculars aren’t just about what you do—they’re about what they show. If you’re interested in pursuing medicine, volunteering at Providence Alaska Medical Center or shadowing a local physician demonstrates initiative and career exploration. If you want to study engineering, try entering a design competition, joining a robotics team, or interning with a local firm.

Colleges love to see students who take initiative outside the classroom—especially when those experiences reflect the field they want to pursue.

Example: We worked with a student who was passionate about environmental science. She volunteered with the Alaska Center, launched a recycling program at her school, and wrote her college essay about the tension between scientific urgency and community resistance to climate initiatives. That’s a compelling story that resonates with admissions committees.

Don’t Overlook Independent Projects and Self-Initiated Work

In 2025, more students are launching passion projects outside of school than ever before—especially in areas like content creation, entrepreneurship, and research. These types of activities don’t have to be formally sponsored by a school or organization to carry weight.

In fact, self-initiated projects—like starting a podcast, coding an app, founding a nonprofit, or running a small business—can show colleges that you’re a self-starter with vision.

Example: One student we worked with created a podcast interviewing local Alaska artists and cultural leaders. It not only highlighted her interest in journalism and community engagement—it also helped her stand out to a top communications program.

Look for Local, National, and Global Opportunities

Anchorage and Fairbanks offer a surprising number of enrichment options:

• Volunteer organizations: Anchorage Museum, Anchorage Public Library, Alaska Center, or Anchorage Parks & Rec

• Internships and mentorships: Explore partnerships through your school or tap into your personal network (see below)

• National programs: AmeriCorps, Youth Leadership Councils, or The National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y)

• Online opportunities: In the wake of the pandemic and ongoing digital expansion, many pre-college programs and internships are now remote-friendly.

If you’re interested in global engagement, study abroad or service learning trips (like those offered through AFS-USA or CIEE) can provide valuable cross-cultural experiences—plus great material for essays and interviews.

Tap Your Personal Network to Create Your Own Opportunity

Don’t limit yourself to what’s advertised. Some of the best extracurricular opportunities are ones you create for yourself.

Do you have a neighbor who’s a marine biologist? Ask if you can shadow them or help with a project. Know someone who runs a small business? Offer to help with social media or inventory. Interested in law? Ask your city assembly member if you can attend public meetings or intern.

Taking the initiative to create your own experience doesn’t just look good—it builds confidence and shows genuine interest.

Need Help Crafting a Strategic Plan?

At Frontier Tutoring, we help students like you build admissions strategies that integrate academics, testing, extracurriculars, and essays into a cohesive and compelling profile.

We’ll work with you to:

• Identify meaningful extracurricular opportunities aligned with your goals

• Develop leadership and impact in your current activities

• Integrate your extracurriculars into your college application narrative

Ready to take the next step? Schedule a free consultation with one of our college admissions experts!

Want more tips? Check out our guide on building your college list strategically.