Add Project Key Words

7 of the Worst High School Activities to Pursue

Students and their parents always ask for my advice about what high school activities they should pursue. Answering this question well means knowing the kid, knowing the opportunities available, and knowing the goals. It’s easier to advise generally what not to pursue.

I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to be engaged outside of academics during high school. That being said, most people make mediocre choices about how to use their time. There are a few ideals to strive for: excel in your activities to a high level; balance your time so that your grades stay up; choose unique activities you are passionate about. The keyword here is unique - most people strike out and choose common activities that they don’t really care about. And often, these typical high school activities take up tons of time so that grades and other commitments suffer. Don’t be like this!

Before I reveal my list of worst choices for high school activities, let me be clear that I’m defining “worst” from an admissions perspective. From my experience of reading college applications at an Ivy League school, the below activities are very common. This means that it is difficult to stand out with these extracurriculars.

But it is not impossible to stand out with these activities – the high school activities I list below are not inherently bad. Every student has the potential to go above and beyond with an extracurricular, and show leadership, creativity, and initiative that will wow an admissions officer. If these ideals apply for you, then by all means stick with one of the high school activities below! Not to mention that there is value if one of these extracurriculars brings you joy. Just don’t make the following choices solely because you think they will look unique or impressive on your applications.

1. Debate

Debate teaches many research and presentation skills that can help you academically. If you win state and national championships, most top colleges will be impressed. But debate also takes tons of time. To do it well requires extreme preparation and dedication. It’s good for your mind, but if you lack time management skills, this can be a poor choice. Debaters must be super-efficient with their studying if their grades are going to get full points.

2. Cheerleading & Pep Squad

School spirit activities should be embraced because you have school spirit and it cannot be denied. Do it because you love it, not because you think it’ll make you a popular kid in the admissions process. These high school activities help build school communities, so if you write about them, try to emphasize that aspect!

3. Model United Nations & Mock Trial

These popular clubs can improve your public speaking, which is an incredibly valuable skill that will help you in life. The biggest problem with MUN and Mock Trial is that they are so common on Common App Activity Lists. If you are passionate about them, do something more with this club. Be a leader, initiate events, and be a champion at competitions.

4. Camp

Camps on college campuses are huge cash cows for universities who want to keep their facilities going year-round. If you have a specific interest you want to pursue, you can have an amazing experience with like-minded teens. It will help you realize what a blast college will be. But it probably won’t be impressive. There are notable exceptions that are extremely prestigious, such as the Telluride Association Summer Program or MIT’s Research Science Institute. That being said, most camps only indicate to admissions officers that you had the money to pay for them.

5. Mission Trips

The well-intentioned trip where high schoolers help orphans or build homes for the less fortunate has been tarnished by reality. There have been too many articles exposing the truth that locals often have to re-do these construction projects immediately because few high schoolers know how to do such things. Now, these trips often just highlight an applicant’s privilege. If you have a cause you care about and your activism requires travel, that is awesome; go for it! But don’t assume that a week in Haiti or Appalachia is going to prove that you are a desirable candidate. Colleges love to see sustained involvement – not a brief community service activity.

6. Tutoring

If every person that put tutoring on their application was seriously engaged as a tutor, I think there must be a 1:1 ratio nationwide between tutors and tutees. Tutoring is a fulfilling thing to do and a nice way to help others, but it’s hard to get it just right when you put it on your applications. How dedicated are you? What is your long-term commitment? My advice is don’t pursue it unless you have good answers to these questions. Often, tutoring appears as a pretty shallow involvement on an activity list.

7. Soccer

Or any sport. Unless you are going to be captain or recruited (or ideally both), athletics might not be the most strategic usage of time. Sports are great activities for making friends, learning how to be a team player, and having fun. If you truly love your sport, by all means keep it up! But don’t suffer through another season of sitting on the bench during long, frequent basketball games because your Dad thinks it improves your chances at Princeton.

There is this notion that "athletics" is a box you should check for your application to show that you are "well-rounded." But often, admissions officers are more drawn to students who passionately pursue one unique extracurricular. The reality is, thousands of students participate in athletics – doing a sport just isn’t unique. The way sports can help you get accepted is if you are recruited.

Bottom line, however, is that any activity can be the best activity for you if you love it, get deeply involved, and have significant impact. Please keep in mind that this blog was written through the lens of college admissions. I’m not telling you how to be happy or healthy or fulfilled. I’m telling you how to be strategic! Life requires both a sense of strategy and a determination to follow your heart.