The college admissions process seems more tedious, nebulous and overwhelming than ever ... which is why one college admissions expert is breaking down high school extracurriculars by the numbers.
Kate Stone, founder of Kate Stone Prep, says that not all extracurricular activities are created equal.
"Anything that thousands of kids are doing is always going to be less helpful for you," Stone tells TODAY.com.
It's not that you should completely avoid popular extracurriculars, though. "It just means that you have to bring something creative or differentiated to it," she says. "Do the common activity in an uncommon way."
On an Instagram reel that has earned almost 3 million views since it was posted in November, Stone ranks a handful of popular high school activities according to their value on an application for a top tier university.
Stone goes into detail about what her rankings meant and gives her top tips for students looking at applying to elite colleges.
College Prep Expert's Ranking of Extracurricular Activities
Here is a list of the extracurricular activity rankings Stone mentioned in the reel on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) — along with some of her suggestions for making extracurriculars count.
- Newspaper editor: 7/10
- Robotics: 3/10
- Student council: 5/10
- Winning academic competitions: 8/10
- Playing viola: 9/10
- Playing violin: 3/10
- Taking an independent online course or college course: 8/10
- Planning your prom: 7/10
- Solving a real-world problem in your community: 10/10
- Model U.N. and debate: 5/10
- Eagle Scout: 6/10
- Founder of a club: 3/10
- Founding a club with a measurable impact: 9/10
- Varsity captain: 5/10
- Tutoring: 4/10
- Internships: 7/10
- Deca: 5/10
Tip 1: Differentiate Yourself
When it comes to applying to elite colleges, it's good to stand out. That's why Stone ranked the less-common viola higher than the violin.
"It doesn't mean that you're going to get into a top school because you're playing the viola," Stone says. "It means that it's just less common, and so it's going to potentially help you."
Tip 2: Pursue Your Passion
Stone doesn't want to discourage students from playing the violin if they really love it, but it's important to demonstrate a lasting pursuit rather than a one-off activity.
"Are we trying to just check a box or put a resume line on your activities list?" she asks. "I hate to tell you, you’re going to be exposed for that."
Slow down and think through your child's commitment to their passion and how it will continue to impact their life.
Students are often recognized by colleges for the "depth of their ability to think through why they’ve done what they’ve done, why it matters to them, how this parlays into their future goals in college ... and perhaps after college."
Tip 3: Make a Lasting, Measurable Impact
The two extracurriculars that Stone ranked the highest involve students changing their local communities for the better.
She cites students who implemented bike safety curriculums in their town and recycling/beautification systems at school as two examples of this. In each example, students left behind a legacy that will continue even after they leave for college.
Stone's Top Tip for College Applicants
"The new extracurricular is having a mentor," Stone says. "If I could advise parents one thing, find your kid a mentor that you know will inspire them."
A mentor who is living the life that your child may want can be helpful in charting a course for activities and inspiration.
For example, Stone was working with a student who wanted to be a plastic surgeon. When he connected with a plastic surgeon mentor, he received unexpected advice: forget about studying anatomy. Instead, study master artists, proportion and beauty. Opt for art galleries rather than getting stuck in all science classes.
In the end, Stone says, "It’s not about the extracurricular. It’s what you do with the extracurricular."
