Let Your Actions Speak: Choosing High School Activities

Katelyn Gleason Klapper, CEP & Founder of College Options

When you begin applying to colleges, your essays will help to tell your story and illuminate your dreams, but your listing of activities, jobs, summer experiences, and awards will also tell a story:  the story of what has really been important in your life the last three years. 

Take some time to review the list of activities, jobs, volunteer work, and other extra-curricular outlets that you have taken part in. Begin by making a list of everything you’ve done in high school as an initial outline for your activities resume and application listings. If you want to think ahead to your applications, try to describe these activities with fewer than 20 action and results-oriented descriptions.

For some students, their activities are an extension of their academic life and interests: summer enrichment programs, extra courses at a local college, research opportunities or academic clubs and competitions. Other students are leaders and display this in many ways: first chair in orchestra, captain of an athletic team, stage manager of a theatre production, president of a club or in student government. Still others are just plain talented, whether it's athletically, creatively, or intellectually and many others seek part-time jobs or volunteer work to earn money and be involved in their larger communities. 

As you reflect on your choices for how you fill your time outside the classroom, do you think that these choices speak to your interests, drive, and talents? What are you missing? Is there something you can cut loose in favor of spending more time on a real love?  As you head into your junior year, build your out your activities choices based on what you really like or are interested in learning more about.

Most colleges say that they are looking for depth of commitment (how long you have been doing something), leadership (even being a part-time manager at work shows leadership), and a certain amount of "passion". I am cautious about using this word in a discussion of activities, because not all 17-year-olds have found their passion, but the real message here is, do what you really like. Let your actions reflect your interests, dreams and real talents.