How important is extracurricular activity for college?

Question

I'm a high school student, and I'm torn between taking more honors/ap classes or doing more extracurricular activies i.e volunteering and sports.

I'm currently in basketball, and I want to know if I should continue with that, risking a worse GPA, or taking easier classes that won't raise up GPA up.

Is it more important to have a great GPA with little to no extracurricular activity, or to have a good GPA with a lot of extracurricular activies? The activites I'm thinking of are clubs, volunteering, and basketball.

Answer 1

Okay I would definitely say take more honors and AP classes. sure they say that colleges look for "well rounded" students but really GPA and standardized test scores are the most important. But that doesn't mean that extracurricular activities are not important; they are important because let's say you and some other student have the same GPA. But if you have more extracurricular activities colleges will most likely favor you over the other. So choose wisely and get involved in a few activities and try to stick to them for 4 years since colleges like consistency. Also in clubs try to become an officer since that shows that you have good leadership skills. Sports are good too, especially if you do it for more than 1 year. obviously it would be best if you do it all 4 years. And if you are a terrific athlete you could get scholarships and get accepted through sports so keep that in mind also.
And community service is awesome. the more activities you do, the more things you have to put on your resume and on your essay.
Bottom line is, try to do basketball this year, but if you really think it would hurt your GPA significantly then it's better not to do it. Good luck! Getting into college is not as hard as they make it seem. I know this from experience.

Answer 2

The extra curricular are very important, because they show that you're well rounded. Some schools even frown on folks with the great GPA with no extracurricular activities. The logic is that a good student has mastered the system of taking tests and getting grades, but the well rounded person has the skills to succeed in life... colleges want to have alumni that are successful! On top of that if you are involved in extra curriculars you may have to work hard, but you will have activities that make you happy. There is no sense in depriving yourself of fun activities just for a college. Oh, and don't be afraid to risk the AP classes... taking "cake" classes actually does look bad, and most colleges will respect the fact that you have challenged yourself.

Answer 3

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm also going into junior year and have NO sports or music extracurriculars but i think that academic awards and community service are a valid replacement. Not everyone is musically or athletically gifted and colleges know it. National Honor Society is GREAT too because it combines academic acknowledgment with a lot of community service. I also think essays are really important for this reason too--because that is your chance to show that you may have passions or extracurriculars that aren't offered at school. Like I'm an experienced horse back rider who spends all my time with my horse so even though i am athletic there is no way i can do it at school because mine doesn't have that program. I also think that after school jobs look great on college applications too. Don't worry about it much--my school is an alternative program that doesn't even offer sports and we still have an amazing reputation with lots of graduating seniors getting accepted at top schools.

Answer 4

The great thing about AP classes is that they will raise your gpa as long as you do well in them.

You still need extracurricular activities, colleges like well-rounded students. However, check with the colleges you plan to apply to if you're not sure of their requirements.

Answer 5

Why don't you keep a great GPA while doing extracurricular activities? It sounds like you're setting yourself up to have your grades slip. Talk to the 'rents about time management assistance.

AP classes only count if you get a decent score, remember- if you can't hack it (like I couldn't back in the day), don't bother and go with honors classes instead.

Answer 6

after school activities are important but most colleges wont accept you if you have a low gpa, plus having a higher gpa opens up the opportunity for scholorships and such, i would focus on shool work and only do the amount of extra activities that you can handle like one sport and one club, colleges like extra. activities so they are important just dont overload yourself, also ask your teachers for help after school with your studying before or after your practice and on days when you dont have a club meeting, also ask for advice on organization, organization can make studying much easier and less stressful and help make it so that you have more time for other things, being well rounded and organized is the way to go, basically good grades and extra activities, just not more that you can handle

Answer 7

its good to have activities and a good GPA over higher GPA. A college will take a 3.6 Student who is involved over a 3.9 student who does nothing. it shows you can manage your time and still have good grades (which is what college is all about!)

Answer 8

more activities are better