The admissions committee at U.S. colleges do not consider just your grades and standardized test scores.  These days an increasingly important dimension to a candidate for admission’s application is helping the underprivileged or “giving back to your community” – also known as “serving others.” While such good deeds cannot compensate for low grades or poor test scores, extracurricular activities that involve deprived communities can strengthen your application.

But let’s begin with more traditional extracurriculars: sports, music, student government, student newspaper, and debate. Because all require considerable time, responsibility, and a considerable level of expertise, they are highly prized by colleges. Let’s look at each in turn:

Sports: Make no mistake, sports play a huge role at American colleges. At Division 1 schools (e.g., University of Alabama and Florida State University)  sports can be serious revenue producers. By even at academically oriented liberal art colleges (e.g., Williams and Bowdon) nearly 40% of students play a varsity sport. Alumni like to see their alma mater field winning teams. And there is a clear correlation between winning and alumni donations. If you are good at a sport – and, moreover, can get recruited for that sport – your chances of acceptance go way up.

Music: While sports rule American college extracurriculars, music is appreciated by admissions officers since becoming an accomplished musician requires effort and perseverance: qualities that are often associated with academic success. But you can’t just play violin once in a while. For your musicianship to really help you to get into a college, you better  be competing in prestigious musical competitions – and placing once in a while. There are not a lot of such musicians, so if you are one of them, your chances for admission go up.

Student Government: Student government, also known as “student council,” is perhaps the most traditional extracurricular activity for good students. Because you are assuming a position of responsibility for your school (even if nothing really changes there), colleges view this positively. Best would be to win an executive position: president, vice president, etc. Then you appear to be a leader. And if there is one thing American colleges love, it’s leaders.

Student Newspaper: After student government, writing for – or even better being the president /editor of the school newspaper (remember, leadership!) – is the second-best route to recognition by colleges that doesn’t involves sports or music. If you can write, join your student newspaper. You may even wish to share some of your better articles with a college admissions committee. (But make sure the articles are really good!)

Debate: Probably the best preparation for college of any extracurricular activity, since it promotes quick and clear thinking in a hypercompetitive environment, debate is not for everyone. You must really enjoy arguing and doing the extensive research required to know your material that supports your arguments. But if you don’t mind the effort, debate shows colleges that you are serious about your academics.

Finally, let’s return to what may be the easiest of extracurricular activities that make an impression on colleges: community service. It doesn’t require smarts, expertise, or even lots of effort. But it does require passion. And U.S. colleges look for passionate people. Again, best is actually founding the club/organization; second best is leading it. Good students usually do both. Also important is your organization’s impact: is it really helping people? Does your organization perhaps foreshadow that you will change the world for the better someday? That should be your litmus test as to how much it will help you with college admission.

Questions about this post: Email robert@designsonlearning.com