573: The Truth About Extracurriculars: What Colleges Actually Care About (College Admissions Essentials)
When it comes to college applications, extracurricular activities often feel like a mystery. Are leadership titles essential? Do you need to be in five clubs? What actually matters? In this episode, we break down how students can move beyond simply “getting involved” to building an extracurricular profile that stands out for its depth, authenticity, and impact. The truth is, colleges aren’t looking for a checklist—they’re looking for a story. And your activities are one of the best tools you have to tell it. In this episode, we’ll cover: * The 3 levels of involvement: basic, meaningful, and expert * What counts as an extracurricular (hint: it’s not just school clubs) * Mistakes to avoid (like chasing titles or doing too much of nothing) * How to use summer and hobbies to your advantage * Tips for making your activities actually tell a story Whether you’re just getting started or fine-tuning your college applications, this episode will help you make sure your extracurriculars reflect the best version of you. 📧 Join the conversation! Email your questions to collegepreppodcast@gmail.com or watch us on YouTube (@CollegePrepPodcast) and drop your questions in the comments—they could be featured in a future episode!