End School Year

How important are after school activities and clubs in college applications?

I'm a sophomore with about a 3.6 cumulative gpa, but I have absolutely NO afterschool activities. I was going to consider some after school stuff for junior year next year. I want to know how important they are.

Public Comments

1. You should definitely sign up for some after school activities for next year. I don't know how much sway they hold on college applications, but they can really make a difference when applying for scholarships. Don't overload yourself with extracurriculars. Pick two or three clubs that you would really enjoy being a part of.
2. After school activities are SO important! They show your dedication to something (and if a college is going to invest in you, they want to see your dedication), they demonstrated a well-roundedness, and that you can be an efficient member of a community. Here's a little story. Someone that I know had a lot of after-school/extracurricular activities, and about the same grades as one of his friends. His friend actually had better grades, and better standardized test scores. They both applied to the same school, and the one with the extracurriculars got in. Extracurricular activities can set you apart from many people. I would HIGHLY suggest getting involved it is pretty crucial in the application process, at least it was for me. Especially get involved in something that has to do with community service -- Key Club is a great example if your school has one or something of that nature.