Section 05 — Extracurriculars
Show them who you are.
Leadership over membership. Depth over volume. The argument you're making is: look at everything I'm already doing with limited resources. Imagine what I'll do at your university.
“When you're a freshman or sophomore, join clubs early so you can move up into leadership positions by junior or senior year. That's the play. Don't wait.”— Tsadiku & Adiyah Obolu
What your activities are actually arguing
Your extracurriculars aren't just a list of things you did. They're an argument. The argument is: “Look at everything I'm already doing with the limited resources and access I have. Imagine what I'll do when you give me access to your university.” That's the pitch.
Connect your activities to what you want to study or do. If you say you want to be a doctor, show that you're already trying to help people's health in your community. The coherence between your goals and your actions is what makes the application compelling.
Pick activities with purpose
Build a thesis. Then build activities that prove it.
The strongest applicants don't have a random list of impressive things — they have a coherent story. Every major activity points back to one central argument: I am the only person like me who wants to solve this problem, and I'm already working on it.
What problem in the world do you want to solve?
- →Health disparities in low-income neighborhoods
- →Mass incarceration and criminal justice reform
- →Climate change in urban communities
- →Financial illiteracy in Black communities
What activities prove you're already on it?
- →Health: volunteer at free clinic, run workshops, shadow doctors
- →Justice: mock trial, policy advocacy, legal aid volunteer work
- →Climate: environmental club leadership, community garden, local advocacy
- →Finance: budgeting workshops for family, investing club, FBLA leadership
The test for every activity you consider joining
Does this activity add evidence to my argument — or is it just something that looks good? If you can't connect it to your thesis, it's not worth your time. Go deeper in fewer things. More evidence for one argument beats scattered proof of nothing.
How they evaluate it
The activity tier framework
Admissions officers go down your activity list and give you a point for leadership positions. Everything else gets a skim. Here's exactly how they think about it.
Very few students have these. If you do, they significantly strengthen your application. Don't fake it — admissions officers verify everything.
Examples
- Intel Science Fair finalist
- USAMO qualifier
- National debate champion
- Published research
- Founded organization with documented impact
Admissions officers go down your activity list and give you a point for leadership positions and skip the rest. You can have 20 activities — if you weren't showing leadership in them, it doesn't help. This tier is where strong applicants live.
Examples
- School club president (actually leading, not just the title)
- Starting your own project or initiative
- Significant community impact in your city
- Running a program with documented results
Consistency signals character. Showing up to the same thing for 3–4 years says more than 10 things for one semester each. One note on sports: being a team captain is one point. If you're not going to the league, is this sport the best use of your time for your goals?
Examples
- 4-year athlete (note: are you going pro? if not, is this worth your time?)
- Long-term volunteer work
- Part-time job held over multiple years
- Serious craft or skill with documented progression
Fine to include, but don't lead with these. They round out a list but won't carry your application. If this is most of your list, use the time you have left to go deeper in fewer things and rise into leadership.
Examples
- Club member (not officer)
- One-time volunteer events
- Short-term activities under one year
- Class projects
A real talk moment
On sports and time
A lot of people say “I have to do sports, I have to be team captain.” Being team captain is one point. Are you going to the league? If not — why is this sport taking up all your time when you could be building toward something with more direct impact on your future?
Tsadiku quit varsity football his senior year because it wasn't serving his college goals. Zero regrets. That time went into things that actually moved the needle. Your time is your most valuable resource — spend it strategically.
The activity list
How to write your activity descriptions
You have 150 characters per activity. Every word matters. Here's how to use them.
Lead with your role and the organization's size or reach
Use numbers wherever possible (led a team of 12, raised $3,000, served 200 students)
Describe what you actually did — not just the title you held
Prioritize leadership, initiative, and impact over passive participation
Order your activities from most to least impressive
Don't abbreviate — spell things out so officers know exactly what you're talking about
Built for you
Programs & opportunities for Black students
These are legitimate, prestigious programs — not obscure contests. Many come with scholarships and direct connections to elite college admissions. Apply to every one you qualify for.
NAACP Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological & Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO)
Annual competition for Black high school students across STEM, arts, and humanities. Winning is a legitimate Tier 1 credential.
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Jr.
STEM-focused organization with chapters across the country. Great for building community and a college-ready network.
Jack and Jill of America
Youth development organization for Black youth. Leadership programs, community service, networking.
A Better Chance (ABC)
Places high-achieving students of color in top independent schools and connects them with college prep resources.
QuestBridge
Connects high-achieving, low-income students with top colleges. Apply as a high school junior — can lead to full scholarships at elite schools.
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation HBCU Initiative
Leadership and policy internship programs for Black students interested in government and policy.
Prep for Prep
NYC-based program that prepares students from underrepresented backgrounds for independent schools and elite college admissions.
Research Science Institute (RSI)
Highly selective 6-week summer research program at MIT. One of the most prestigious programs a high school student can attend.
What if you don't have impressive activities yet?
Start now. Even if you're a junior, one focused year of meaningful leadership can strengthen your application significantly. Join something this week. Show up consistently. Take initiative. Rise.
Also: don't underestimate what you already do. A part-time job where you took on real responsibility, helping raise younger siblings, a skill you've been building, a project you care about — these are real activities. Write them honestly and let the story speak. You have more to offer than you think.