Interested in having a blast with your friends while boosting your college acceptance chances at the same time? High school extracurricular activities can allow you to do exactly that. You can enjoy pursuing your own unique interests while also preparing to apply to colleges.
Before getting involved, remember that it’s important to follow your passions rather than just picking an activity to check off a box. We also recommend starting early (sometimes as early as 7th or 8th grade) so that you have time to explore a variety of interests and choose to stay committed to what you like the most.
With those quick tips in mind, check out the following 135+ extracurriculars to try in high school (carefully curated by KD’s college counseling team).
The Ultimate List: 135+ High School Extracurricular Activities
Arts, Media, and Creative Pursuits
This is one of the most popular types of extracurricular activities, as there’s something for every taste. Whether you’re into photography, design, or playing an instrument, you can find or form a club to suit your musical interests.
- Animation Club – Students may produce award-winning short films or lead animation teams.
- Art Club – Students may organize exhibits or serve as project leads for murals or showcases.
- Band – Leadership opportunities include section leader or drum major; students may qualify for All-Region, All-State, or even participate in national competitions.
- Book Club – Students may lead discussions or organize schoolwide reading initiatives.
- Creative Writing Club / Literary Magazine – Students may publish original work or earn recognition in writing contests.
- Dance / Drill Team – Opportunities for captain roles; students may earn awards at regional dance or drill competitions.
- DIY / Makers Club – Students may lead projects or present designs at maker fairs.
- Film or Broadcasting – Students may produce films for festivals or direct broadcast segments.
- Graphic Design – Students may serve as lead designer for school campaigns or submit work for design contests.
- Orchestra – Through school orchestra, students may have the opportunity to serve as section leader. Students may qualify for regional, area, state, or national competitions. Students may also explore roles outside of school, like the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra.
- Photography Magazine – Students can serve as editor-in-chief or curate published student photography.
- Podcast – Students may create a podcast series recognized by school or community media.
- School Newspaper – Opportunities include editor-in-chief roles or award recognition in journalism contests.
- Theatre – Students may serve as director, stage manager, or lead actor; opportunities for UIL awards.
- Yearbook – Students may serve as editor, photo editor, or section chief; opportunities for publication awards.
- YouTube or Content Creation – Students may lead a channel with original content recognized by local or online communities.
Athletics and Fitness
Sports and other active extracurriculars offer great opportunities to demonstrate leadership ability. Whether you play casually, on a school team, or for a competitive club, there’s plenty of ways to leadership roles and learn valuable skills.
- Athletic Training – Students may serve as lead student trainers or earn recognition for supporting varsity programs.
- Badminton (and other individual sports) – Opportunities for regional or state tournament qualification.
- Basketball / Volleyball / Soccer / Tennis / Golf / Football / Baseball / Water Polo / Lacrosse – Students may serve as team captains or earn all-district, all-region, or all-state honors.
- Cheer / Spirit Squad – Opportunities include captain roles and awards at regional or national competitions.
- Cross Country / Track & Field – Students may qualify for district, regional, or state meets.
- Cricket – Students may compete in regional leagues and earn team leadership roles.
- Esports Team – Students may lead teams or qualify for regional, state, or national tournaments.
- Gymnastics – Students may qualify for sanctioned competitions or advance to higher competition levels.
- Martial Arts – Students may advance through belts or earn medals at local, regional, or national tournaments.
- Personal Fitness Challenge – Students may complete major milestones such as a 5K, half marathon, or endurance challenge.
- Pickleball Club – Students may organize school tournaments or compete in community events.
- Rock Climbing – Students may lead climbing teams or qualify for youth climbing competitions.
- Running Club – Students may train for and complete competitive races or lead group runs.
- Swim / Dive / Rowing / Crew – Opportunities for captain roles, record-setting performances, or qualifying for regional meets.
- Swim Instructor – Students may serve as lead instructors or earn certifications in swim instruction.
- Youth Sports Coaching or Refereeing – Students may serve as head youth coaches or certified officials.
- Yoga or Mindfulness Club – Students may lead wellness sessions or organize schoolwide mindfulness initiatives.
Outdoor Activities
If you love fresh air and adventure, these activities let you build skills like teamwork and resilience while exploring the world around you. From scouting to conservation work, there are plenty of ways to turn a love of the outdoors into leadership experience.
- Archery – Students may qualify for local, state, or national archery competitions.
- Scouting America / Girl Scouts – Opportunities include earning highest awards such as Eagle Scout or Gold Award.
- Environmental Conservation Club – Students may lead sustainability initiatives or receive community environmental awards.
- Fishing – Students may compete in youth fishing tournaments or serve as team captains.
- Gardening Club – Students may lead garden projects featured in school or community programs.
- Hiking / Outdoor Adventure Club – Students may organize major trips or serve as club coordinators.
Engineering
For students who love building, designing, and problem-solving, engineering extracurriculars offer hands-on ways to apply classroom concepts to real challenges. Whether it’s robotics or aerospace, these clubs are a great way to stand out while doing something genuinely fun.
- Destination Imagination – Students may earn awards at regional, state, or global competitions.
- Engineering Club – Students may lead project teams or earn recognition at engineering fairs or showcases.
- Texas Aerospace Scholars (NASA) – Students may complete NASA’s selective program and present mission designs to engineers.
- Robotics (VEX, BEST, FRC) – Students may serve as build or programming leads or earn awards for design, innovation, or performance.
- Technology Student Association (TSA) – Opportunities include state or national awards in engineering, design, or technology events.
Computer Science
With technology expanded across every industry, computer science clubs are a great way to build practical skills while working on projects that matter. From coding competitions to app development, there’s no shortage of ways to grow as a programmer.
- AI or App Development Club – Students may develop apps or serve as project leads.
- Coding for Social Good – Students may create software tools adopted by nonprofits or school programs.
- Computer Science Team – Opportunities include placing in programming competitions, hackathons, or leading teams.
- Girls Who Code – Students may complete major coding projects or earn recognition in national challenges.
- Hackathons – Students may win awards for software prototypes built collaboratively under tight deadlines.
- Technology Help Desk – Students may serve as lead technicians or manage schoolwide support systems.
Science
Science extracurriculars give curious minds a place to dig deeper into the subjects they love outside the classroom. Whether it’s competing in Science Olympiad or hosting a stargazing night, these activities reward curiosity and initiative alike.
- Astronomy Club – Students may lead star-gazing events or present research at astronomy nights.
- Science Bowl – Students may compete at regional or national levels and serve as team captains.
- Science Fair – Students may advance to regional, state, or ISEF-level competition.
- Science Olympiad – Opportunities to medal in regional or state events and lead event teams.
Math
For students who enjoy a good challenge, math clubs and competitions are a great way to sharpen problem-solving skills while connecting with like-minded peers.
- Math Club / Mu Alpha Theta – Students may serve as officers or earn awards at math competitions.
- Math League – Students may earn individual or team awards in multi-round math contests.
- Math Olympiad – Opportunities include honors at regional, state, or national levels.
- Math Tutor – Students may serve as lead peer tutors or coordinate schoolwide tutoring.
Research
Independent research opportunities let students dive into a topic they’re passionate about and contribute real findings to their field. Not to mention, it’s a great way to show colleges that you’re ready to participate in their research programs.
- Environmental Science Research – Opportunities include publishing findings or presenting at youth environmental conferences.
- High Energy & Nuclear Physics Summer Camp – Students may complete specialized physics research and present to faculty panels.
- Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) – Students may submit independent research projects for recognition among the nation’s top young scientists.
- International Science & Engineering Fair – Students may advance to regional, state, or international level.
- Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology – Opportunities include national recognition for original research in STEM fields.
- USA Biolympiad (USABO) – Students may advance through national testing rounds and represent the U.S. internationally.
Health and Medicine
For students interested in healthcare, these activities offer a firsthand look at the field through volunteering, certifications, and hands-on experience. These roles give future doctors, nurses, and advocates a greater understanding of what the work involves.
- CPR / First Aid Certification – Students may earn certifications and assist in training or safety initiatives.
- Health Internship Programs – Students may complete selective placements and present work to healthcare professionals.
- HOSA – Students may compete at regional, state, or international levels and serve as chapter officers.
- Hospital Volunteer – Opportunities include lead volunteer roles and recognition for service hours.
- Medical Scribe – Students may serve as lead scribes or gain recognition from supervising physicians.
- Mental Health Awareness Club – Students may organize campuswide initiatives or lead mental health advocacy campaigns.
- Neuroscience Club – Opportunities include leading research discussions or presenting small-scale neuroscience projects.
- Nutrition & Wellness Club – Students may chair wellness initiatives or coordinate health-focused school events.
- Public Health Club – Students may lead awareness campaigns or present community health projects.
- Red Cross – Students may serve as certified responders, lead blood drives, or earn Red Cross youth leadership awards.
- Shadowing or Observation – Students may complete selective shadowing placements and produce reflective or research-based summaries.
Business and Entrepreneurship
If you’ve got an entrepreneurial spirit, these extracurriculars are a great way to test out real-world business skills before college. Some students pitch original ideas in competitions; others go all in and launch a small venture of their own, learning by doing along the way.
- Business Pitch Competitions – Students may earn recognition or funding for winning start-up pitches.
- Business Professionals of America (BPA) – Opportunities for regional, state, or national awards in business events.
- DECA – Students may qualify for state or international competitions and hold chapter leadership roles.
- Digital Marketing Internship – Students may lead campaigns with measurable results or earn distinctions.
- Economics Club – Opportunities include team awards in Econ Challenge competitions or serving as club president.
- Entrepreneurship Club – Students may launch ventures or win entrepreneurship awards at local or national competitions.
- eCommerce / Small Business Venture – Students may generate revenue, scale products, or receive community business awards.
- Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) – Students may earn competitive event awards or serve as chapter or district officers.
- Marketing or Advertising Club – Students may lead campaign teams or earn recognition in marketing competitions.
- Personal Finance Club – Students may lead financial literacy workshops or compete in personal finance contests.
- School Investment Club – Students may manage top-performing portfolios or lead investment research teams.
- Social Entrepreneurship Projects – Students may create initiatives recognized by community organizations or pitch competitions.
Civic and Political Engagement
Students who care about their communities can find plenty of ways to get involved here, from organizing a local voter drive to serving as a youth delegate at a conference. These extracurriculars build skills while spreading awareness about complex issues that impact the community.
- Civic Action Club – Students may lead advocacy campaigns or present initiatives to local officials.
- Community Advocacy Projects – Students may organize communitywide initiatives or gain recognition from local organizations.
- Local Government Internships – Opportunities include assisting city leadership or earning commendations for civic service.
- Mock Trial – Students may serve as team captains or earn awards at district, regional, or state competitions.
- Model UN – Students may earn delegation awards or serve as head delegates at conferences.
- Political Campaigns – Students may hold leadership roles such as precinct lead or youth coordinator.
- Voter Registration Drives – Students may organize schoolwide drives and earn recognition for civic impact.
- Youth & Government / Model Congress – Students may draft award-winning legislation or serve in elected student leadership roles.
Academic Enrichment and Competitions
Colleges love to see students who chase knowledge for its own sake, and academic student organizations and competitions are the clearest proof of that. Students who thrive under pressure and love a good challenge tend to find their people here.
- Academic Decathlon – Students may earn individual or team medals at regional, state, or national competitions.
- History Day Competition – Students may advance to state or national competitions with research projects.
- Language & Linguistics Competitions – Students may earn awards for linguistic problem-solving at regional or national levels.
- Quiz Bowl / Knowledge Bowl – Students may lead teams or earn top rankings at regional or state tournaments.
- Speech & Debate – Students may qualify for state or national tournaments and earn individual event awards.
- Spelling Bee – Opportunities for school, district, or regional advancement.
- UIL Literary Criticism – Students may place at district, regional, or state levels.
Cultural, Religious, and Identity-Based Organizations
High school can feel like a place where everyone’s trying to fit in — these clubs flip that script by celebrating what makes students different. Some of the strongest friendships come out of clubs like these, where students connect over identity, tradition, or belief.
- Cultural Dance Groups – Students may perform featured pieces or choreograph routines for major cultural showcases.
- Language Conversation Clubs – Students may lead sessions or coordinate schoolwide language events.
- LGBTQ+ Alliance – Students may serve as club leaders or organize inclusivity and advocacy campaigns.
- Multicultural Club – Students may coordinate multicultural fairs or serve on diversity leadership teams.
- Religious or Faith-Based Youth Groups – Students may hold leadership roles or coordinate service initiatives.
Service
Nothing looks better on a college application—or feels better in real life— than genuinely helping people. Service extracurriculars let students build leadership skills while making an actual difference in their community.
- Aid4Need / Mind4Youth – Students may lead chapters, coordinate drives, or earn community service awards.
- Feed My Starving Children – Students may serve as volunteer shift leaders or organize large group service events.
- Food Banks – Students may serve as team leads for distribution shifts or earn volunteer service distinctions.
- Frisco Family Services – Students may lead sorting teams or coordinate seasonal donation drives.
- Habitat for Humanity – Opportunities for crew leader roles or recognition from local Habitat chapters.
- Hospital Volunteer – Students may serve as lead volunteers or earn hospital service awards.
- Hurricane / Disaster Relief – Students may organize large-scale donation drives or coordinate community response efforts.
- Key Club – Opportunities include officer positions and district or international service awards.
- Library Teen Advisory Council – Students may chair committees or lead youth programming initiatives.
- LovePacs – Students may direct packing events or lead schoolwide collection drives.
- National Honor Societies – Students may serve as chapter officers and complete award-eligible service projects.
- Operation Smile – Opportunities include leading fundraising campaigns or receiving recognition from the organization.
- Peer Mentor – Students may serve as lead mentors or organize orientation programs for new students.
- President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) – Students may earn Bronze, Silver, or Gold national recognition for service hours.
- Refugee Tutoring Programs – Students may serve as lead tutors or coordinate multi-school volunteer efforts.
- Rotary Interact Club – Students may serve as club officers or earn Rotary youth leadership awards.
- School Ambassador – Students may lead ambassador teams or represent the school at major events.
- Senior Center Volunteer – Students may coordinate activity programs or earn community service honors.
- Sleep in Heavenly Peace – Students may lead build events or coordinate deliveries for multiple families.
- Student Emergency Response Team – Students may earn certifications or serve as team captains during drills.
Career Exploration and Special Interests
Not every student knows what they want to do after high school—and that’s exactly what this category is for. These organizations can serve as a low-stakes way to test-drive a potential career path before committing to it. And if you’ve already found your calling, having something on your activity list that aligns with your passion only strengthens your application.
- Architecture or Urban Planning Club – Students may lead design projects or present models in design showcases.
- Automotive or Aviation Club – Students may complete advanced builds or earn technical certifications.
- Culinary Arts / Baking Club – Opportunities include leading catering projects or earning recognition in culinary competitions.
- Part-Time Jobs – Students may earn promotions, leadership roles, or employee honors.
Independent Projects and Personal Growth
Some of the most impressive students on paper never joined a single club. Instead, they just built something on their own. A small business, a certification, or a personal portfolio—these self-driven projects often say more about initiative than any team activity could.
- Certification Programs – Students may earn industry-recognized credentials (e.g., Adobe, Google, Microsoft).
- Etsy or Online Shop – Students may generate revenue or receive recognition for product design.
- Independent Research Project – Students may publish findings or present at academic conferences.
- Personal Blog or Website – Students may gain readership or produce a recognized personal portfolio.
- Portfolio Development – Students may produce a curated body of work used for applications or showcases.
- Service Trip or Volunteer Abroad – Students may complete selective international programs or lead project initiatives.
- Small Business / Freelance Venture – Students may secure clients, build a brand, or achieve measurable business milestones.
How do I choose the right extracurricular activities?
Participating in extracurriculars may be the most fun part of the college readiness process—that is, if you truly enjoy the ones you’ve picked. There’s no sense in choosing extracurriculars based on what you think colleges will look for if you don’t actually enjoy what you’re doing. Admissions officers generally appreciate the broad spectrum of human interests; whether you love rock climbing or ornithology, it’s the act of participating in something that matters, not necessarily which activity you’ve chosen. Follow your passion.
What will matter to colleges is the demonstration of long-term commitment. During 7th, 8th, and perhaps even 9th grade, it’s not uncommon for students to try out a bunch of different activities in order to find the ones that best suit them. Starting in 9th and 10th grade, however, you’ll want to narrow down your interests to the extracurriculars that you’ll continue participating in throughout the rest of your high school years.
If you’re not quite sure where to begin, you can talk to the college counselors at KD College Prep. Our team can help you select your extracurriculars and build an activity list for your college applications.
How important are extracurricular activities in the college admissions process?
There are many factors that college admissions officers consider when deciding which applicants to admit. While extracurriculars are not the most significant factor, they are definitely an important one.
Consider two fictitious applicants, Julia and Hunter. They both have a GPA of 3.9, and both have earned A grades in a couple of AP courses. Julia has been on the swim team and French club for four years, while Hunter only participated in band for a semester before dropping out of it. If the college only has space for either Julia or Hunter, the acceptance letter is generally more likely to go to Julia.
Similarly, an academically sound student who has no record of community involvement might give an admissions committee second thoughts. That same committee might be willing to take a chance on a student who earned good but not spectacular grades if that student can demonstrate a longstanding commitment to community service and other extracurriculars.
In short, extracurricular participation can give you a competitive edge. They demonstrate that you’re willing to do more than the bare minimum.
How can extracurriculars help you stand out to admission officers?
Extracurriculars can be a great way to have fun with your friends and blow off steam after class, but they’re also a way to differentiate you from every other college applicant. Colleges like to admit students who have demonstrated that they have pursued interests outside of class, who are passionate about things, and who have shown they can sustain a long-term commitment to something.
Colleges also appreciate students who participate in extracurriculars because these activities can help you build essential soft skills, such as:
- Leadership
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Self-discipline
- Socio-emotional skills
In addition to helping you stand out to admissions officers, extracurriculars can also help you become eligible to apply to certain scholarships, such as sports-related, career-focused, or special interest scholarships.
Is 11th grade too late to get involved in extracurriculars?
It’s ideal to begin participating in extracurriculars as early as possible. Colleges do like to see that students can sustain a long-term commitment. However, if you’re in 11th grade and you’d like to step up your college readiness activities, joining a couple of clubs or teams now is better than not doing it at all. Besides, it’s a great way to meet new friends and explore interests.
Do colleges verify your extracurriculars?
Some schools do indeed verify applicants’ extracurriculars. Even if college admissions officers do not have time to verify every extracurricular listed by every applicant, they may fact-check random batches of applications.
The internet makes it easier than ever for admissions teams to quickly check one or two key items on an application. For example, if an applicant claims to have won an award for fencing in a particular year, but another student’s name shows up on a Google search, then that applicant will almost certainly be denied admission. Fabrication is just not worth it.
Do hobbies and ongoing commitments outside of school count as extracurriculars?
Not all high schools have the resources to offer a robust menu of extracurriculars. College admissions teams understand this, and they also understand that many students have unique interests unlikely to be completely fulfilled even by a full calendar of school activities. Hobbies, community groups, and other ongoing commitments outside of school do indeed count as extracurriculars.
What clubs do Ivy League colleges look for?
It’s often thought that Ivy League colleges look for well-rounded applicants who have participated in everything from competitive sports to musical groups to academic clubs and beyond.
In fact, what they’re really looking for are applicants who pursue their passions by participating in activities that align with their interests. This demonstrates that the applicants are committed to learning and growing. Top-tier schools look for a pattern of activities that demonstrates attributes such as commitment, leadership, passion, initiative, love of learning, community involvement, and dedication.
Need help preparing for college?
This list is just a small sample of the extensive resources that we provide to students in the APPLY NOW! Advantage Program, our signature college counseling program for students in 9th-11th grade. At KD, we help guide students through every step of the college prep process through lessons, interactive labs, and countless opportunities for one-on-one guidance with our senior college counselors. To learn more about this program or our College Prep Packages, schedule a free consultation.
