The Guide To Extracurriculars
- Collegiate Talk
- Aug 12, 2020
- 6 min read
There are tons of different activities students can do to gain experience before college. Some students have the notion that they must only do extracurriculars that will relate directly to their intended college major. However, interdisciplinary activities (while still concentrating in a specific field) can help students gain useful skills and also serve as a back up if students change their minds about their intended major. Another misconception is that students should join as many clubs as possible to show their dedication. Quality will always be greater than the quantity. It is much better to do extremely well in a few clubs (holding officer positions, attending & doing well at state and national competitions) than to try and expand your extracurricular list. Be sure to keep this in mind when choosing extracurricular activities/competitions. Each extracurricular is linked to its source so students can learn more about each activity.
STEM BASED EXTRACURRICULARS
1. Technology Student Association: TSA stands for Technology Student Association. It is a national club with over 250,000 members, hundreds of chapters, and 70+ events for students to choose from. Students typically participate in several competitions ranging from photography, animatronics, architecture, speech, and coding. All competitions are technology-based allowing students to showcase and explore their range of skills in different fields. TSA is available for both high school and middle school students and has regional, state, and national competitions throughout the school year. TSA also offers leadership positions at the state and national levels. The TSA mission states that “The Technology Student Association (TSA) enhances personal development, leadership, and career opportunities in STEM, whereby members apply and integrate these concepts through activities, competitions, and related programs.”
2. Science Olympiads
Science Olympiad is a broad science-based competition for the regional, state, and national levels. The competition includes both middle and high schoolers in desperate divisions. The competition topics include Life, Personal & Social Science, Earth and Space Science, Physical Science and Chemistry, Technology & Engineering, and Inquiry and Nature of Science. Each topic has 4-5 competitions for students to compete in. Science Olympiad does not offer leadership opportunities at the national & state level, however, members can become coaches of their own school’s teams. Schools usually have 1-3 olympiad teams each with up to 15 students. Each team has to complete 23 events as accurately as possible. Teams are then ranked in individual events. The higher the ranking, the fewer points a team receives. At the end of the competitions, the team with the least points is awarded with 1st place and so on. Schools can send multiple teams to regionals, however, only one team can be sent to the state and national competitions. Usually, the best performing team is sent, however, if you are not on that team you still have a shot if you perform well on your events.
The American Institute of Physics holds an annual competition to find students to participate in the international physics competition. The registration deadline for the first test, F=ma is in early December; the testing dates are later in January. The top 400 are then invited to take the US physics team exam. The top 20 students are selected to train for international competition.
Chemistry Olympiad is a competition that tests student's knowledge of chemistry topics. It begins with local competition, if an individual does well enough they are then nominated for the national exam. The national exam is 4 hours and 45 minutes long, split into 3 separate parts. The top 20 performers on the national exam go to a camp where the best 4 gain a place on the international team. Nominees for the national exam can receive plaques, certificates, or even monetary prizes. The test requires knowledge spanning from AP Chem to Organic Chemistry.
3. Health Professions Students Of America (HOSA)
HOSA is a student organization that provides different health-based competitions for individuals to compete at the regional, state, and national levels. These competitions can range from a multiple-choice test to a presentation. Participants can with awards and certificates if they place well. HOSA also gives students the availability to become an area, state, or national officer (leadership position).
4. Robotics
Robotics allows students to learn coding, building and working together as a team. Students typically join teams with 3-5 people (Vex and some FRC competitions) or with teams of 20+ people (FRC). Competition dates vary among the different types however both have world championships for students who pass the regional level.
Science Fairs give students the opportunity to create their own projects of their choice to be judged. Science fairs often offer monetary prizes and certificates. The most prestigious science fair is the google science fair, which offers a $50,000 scholarship to the winner, however, it has not been held every year so watch out for scheduled dates!
ART BASED EXTRACURRICULARS
CAC is a national art competition for high school students divided by the state they reside in. The winners get their work displayed in the US Capitol and get to attend an awards ceremony in Washington D.C.
NYF is a program for visual, performing, and literary arts. Students must showcase their talents on the application. Winners can receive cash prizes, national recognition, and free mentorship.
In Doodle 4 Google, students are divided by grade level as tasked with drawing a design to be featured on google's logo. There are both state and national awards for those who perform well. The artwork must be original, creative, and connect to the given theme.
MUSIC BASED EXTRACURRICULARS
Many states hold competitions for young musicians to compete against others for a spot on the performing group. It is at first usually split up into regions, the best in each region gets placed into their own regions group. Then the best from each region's group gets the change to go to the state group and so on. Placing in one of these groups distinguishes a musician from others as it shows their dedication and skill level. Students typically learn about these competitions from their music teachers, however, the link above can also be used.
2. Youth Ensembles
Many Regions also have youth ensembles outside of school. These ensembles are usually organized by performance level and meet a few times a week with 2-3 concerts a year. These can be a great way to gain experience outside of the classroom and possibly level up your skills. It is best to see if your city has one or get in contact with your music teacher
The Tri-M Music Society is a club dedicated to those who excel in music. It gives them the opportunity to gain leadership roles and also and also complete music-based service activities.
HUMANITIES BASED EXTRACURRICULARS
Model United Nations is a competition where students are each assigned a country and spend 2-3 days mimicking the United Nations. The overall goal is to gain experience in the ambassador/delegate field and to also learn more about the processes that take place in the UN. Each conference also offers recognition awards for which delegates they believe performed the best.
In Mock Trial, students simulate a court case with lawyers, witnesses, and judges. Mock trial teaches students how a courtroom works, speaking skills, and how to make a coherent argument. The mock trial gives regional, state, and national awards. Typically the 12 best teams advance to state, and the best team from the state then gets to go to the national awards.
FCCLA offers competitions over a range of fields including hospitality, education, and human services, and visual art and design. FFCLA teaches students real-world skills while still allowing them to gain experience in the field of their choice. FFCLA has regionals, state, and nationals and offers awards at each level, including scholarships.
BUSSINESS BASED EXTRACURRICULARS
1. DECA
DECA offers competitive events for those interested in business. DECA offers feedback from industry professionals and many awards for those who perform well on these events (Emerging Honorary Leader and Event awards). Events take place on the regional, state, and national levels.
2. Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
FBLA stands for Future Business Leaders of America. It is very similar to DECA as it also offers business/business-related competition for people on the regional, state, and national levels. It also has both middle school and college-level competitions so students have time to hone in on their skills. FBA gives out achievement awards, recognition awards, and event awards
3. Starting a small business
Starting a small business is not just running a lemonade stand or selling something to your neighbors. Students should know that starting a business is a lot of work, but if you have a good idea you can show colleges how serious you are and also gain valuable working and managing experience.
Do not be discouraged if you do not have access to many of these extracurriculars, it is very possible to create one in your area. Usually, to create a club it takes an adult sponsor and a few students!
Author: Lauren Nichols
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