Best Extracurriculars for Ivy League Admissions
If you’ve ever scrolled through Reddit or TikTok searching “What does it take to get into the Ivy League?” you’ve probably seen long lists of impossible-looking activities: research internships, nonprofit startups, and leadership positions in everything imaginable.
Let’s clear something up: there’s no single perfect extracurricular that gets you into an Ivy.
But there is a pattern. Ivy League admissions officers look for students who go beyond participation—they want students who demonstrate passion, leadership, and lasting impact.
Here’s how to build a standout extracurricular profile, even if you’re not curing diseases or coding apps at 15.
🎯 1. It’s Not About Quantity—it’s About Depth
You’ve probably heard it before, but it’s worth repeating:
“Depth beats breadth.”
The average Ivy League applicant lists 8–10 activities, but the most successful ones go deep in 3–5.
Example:
Don’t join 12 clubs for one meeting a year.
Do lead or grow 2–3 activities you genuinely care about.
Colleges want to see commitment and growth—how your involvement evolved over time, what you contributed, and what impact you made.
Pro Tip: Ask yourself, “What would this club look like if I left it?” If the answer is “different,” you’re doing something right.
🧠 2. Academic Enrichment Activities
Ivy League schools value intellectual curiosity as much as GPA. Show that you love learning beyond the classroom.
Great examples include:
Academic competitions (Science Olympiad, DECA, Math League, Model UN)
Research internships (even local ones through universities or professors)
Publishing or presenting a project
Starting a blog, tutoring initiative, or podcast related to your interests
Pro Tip: If you can connect your academic activities to your intended major, even better. A student applying for neuroscience who volunteers at a local hospital and leads the biology club? That’s alignment—and admissions officers love alignment.
💼 3. Leadership Roles That Show Impact
The word “leadership” gets thrown around a lot, but it’s more than just having a title.
Leadership means creating positive change.
Examples that stand out:
Starting a mentorship program at your school
Organizing a charity drive or fundraising event
Reviving a dormant club
Serving as captain, but also supporting teammates
Founding a small business or nonprofit
The Ivy League doesn’t want perfect résumés—they want initiators, problem-solvers, and changemakers.
🌎 4. Community Service That Shows Heart
Volunteering for a cause you believe in shows empathy, awareness, and commitment to something larger than yourself.
Strong service experiences include:
Long-term involvement in a local organization
Launching your own initiative (e.g., environmental campaign, tutoring program)
Global or national volunteer projects—if they’re authentic and student-led
Pro Tip: Quality matters more than location. An Ivy League admissions officer values four years of consistent local work more than one flashy overseas trip.
🎨 5. Creative and Personal Projects
Colleges love originality. If you’ve built something unique that reflects your voice or curiosity, highlight it.
Examples include:
Creating a YouTube or podcast series on your passion topic
Writing a novel or publishing poetry
Building an app or website
Directing a short film or music project
Creative pursuits show initiative and individuality—two things Ivy League schools prize.
💬 6. Sports and Team Involvement
Athletics demonstrate teamwork, discipline, and leadership. You don’t need to be a Division I recruit to make an impression.
Examples:
Team captain roles
Organizing off-season training or mentoring younger athletes
Balancing rigorous academics with athletic excellence
If you’ve shown growth or leadership through sports, that’s a powerful story in itself.
📈 7. Summer Programs and Pre-College Experiences
Summer is your secret weapon—it’s the perfect time to deepen your interests.
Options that impress include:
Research programs at universities (like MIT RSI, Stanford Summer Institutes, or Clemson’s summer academies)
Service or leadership programs
Internships in your intended field
Independent study or projects
Pro Tip: You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars. Ivy admissions officers love self-driven projects—writing a research paper, starting a website, or teaching yourself a new skill can stand out just as much.
🧭 Final Thoughts from College Refocus
The best extracurriculars for Ivy League admissions aren’t about prestige—they’re about purpose.
Colleges want to see curiosity in action: that you’ve taken something you care about and built it into something meaningful.
Whether you’re leading a robotics team, organizing a food drive, or launching a coding project, what matters is why you do it and how you make it your own.
Remember: Ivy League schools don’t admit résumés—they admit real humans with passion and direction.
🎯 Call to Action
Want help building an extracurricular plan that aligns with your dream schools?
📅 Book a College Strategy Session with College Refocus and we’ll help you design a standout portfolio that fits your interests, goals, and admissions timeline.