How Colleges Consider Extracurricular Activities
Athletes often have a hard time understanding where their accomplishments fit into the greater landscape of “Extracurricular Activities” when they’re being considered by college admissions offices. This article by the CollegeVine blog gives a great breakdown of how colleges look at the different “Tiers” of extracurricular activities.
https://blog.collegevine.com/breaking-down-the-4-tiers-of-extracurricular-activities
The blog post breaks down extracurricular activities into four tiers to help students understand their impact on college applications. Tier 1 activities represent the highest level of achievement and showcase exceptional talent, leadership, or initiative. These activities include national-level awards, founding a successful organization, or significant research contributions. Tier 2 activities demonstrate considerable commitment and success at the state or regional level, such as being a state champion athlete or holding a leadership role in a statewide organization.
Tier 3 activities involve active engagement in school or community-based clubs and organizations, highlighting students' dedication and involvement. Examples include being a club president, editor of the school newspaper, or participating in community service projects. Tier 4 activities, while not as impactful on college applications, show personal interests and hobbies. These activities may include casual involvement in clubs, sports teams, or artistic pursuits.
Understanding the tiers of extracurricular activities can help students prioritize their time and focus on activities that will have a more significant impact on their college applications. It is important to note that colleges value well-rounded students, so having a mix of activities from different tiers can be beneficial.
Tier 1: Exceptional Achievements and Leadership
These activities represent the highest level of achievement and showcase a student's exceptional talent, leadership, or initiative. Tier 1 activities are rare and often have a significant impact on college admissions. Examples include:
Winning national-level awards or competitions (e.g., Making Olympic-Level or National Sports Teams, Intel Science Talent Search, National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards)
Founding and successfully running an organization or business with a substantial reach or impact
Conducting extensive research and publishing the results in a reputable journal or presenting at a major conference
Tier 2: State or Regional-Level Accomplishments
Tier 2 activities demonstrate a student's considerable commitment and success at the state or regional level. These activities are less rare than Tier 1 but still hold substantial weight in college applications. Examples include:
Being a state champion athlete or participating in state-level sports competitions
Holding a leadership role in a statewide organization (e.g., serving as the state president of a student organization)
Winning state-level awards or recognition in academic or artistic competitions (e.g., state-level debate championships, regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards)
Tier 3: School and Community Involvement
Tier 3 activities involve active engagement in school or community-based clubs and organizations. While not as prestigious as Tier 1 or 2 activities, these activities still highlight a student's dedication, involvement, and leadership skills. Examples include:
Serving as a club president or holding other leadership positions in school organizations
Being an editor or significant contributor to the school newspaper or literary magazine
Organizing and participating in community service projects, such as volunteering at a local food bank or organizing a charity event
Tier 4: Personal Interests and Hobbies
Tier 4 activities are the least impactful on college applications but still showcase a student's personal interests, hobbies, and well-roundedness. These activities may not demonstrate leadership or commitment but can provide insight into a student's passions and character. Examples include:
Casual involvement in clubs or sports teams without holding a leadership position or achieving significant success
Participating in artistic pursuits, such as playing a musical instrument, painting, or photography, without receiving awards or recognition
Engaging in hobbies like blogging, gaming, or gardening
Athletes run into difficulty because they spend so much time playing their sport, and depending on their level of skill and dedication those can easily be classified as Tier 3 or 4 activities. It is crucial that student-athletes intending to apply to selective schools who don’t reach levels of state/regional (Tier 2) or national (Tier 1) recognition diversify their extracurricular life to include research, extra classes, community service, and much more.
