More Than a GPA: The Growing Power of After-School Commitment

As college admissions grow more competitive, extracurricular activities are increasingly shaping how students are evaluated. To better understand this shift, I spoke with one of our school guidance counselors, Ms. Mills, and several upperclassmen who recently applied to college. Colleges are no longer looking only at grades and test scores, such as GPA, but also at how students spend their time outside the classroom. Admissions officers want to see commitment, leadership, and personal growth. Clubs, sports, volunteer work, and part-time jobs can all show these qualities. This matters to many students because it affects how they plan their schedules and priorities throughout high school.

Several students shared that extracurriculars helped them stand out by showing who they are beyond academics. One senior explained that staying involved in the same club for multiple years mattered more than joining many activities at once. This reflects a growing expectation that students demonstrate long-term dedication rather than surface-level participation. While extracurricular activities were once considered optional, now they are often seen as a standard part of a strong college application. However, counselors also emphasized that quality matters more than quantity. Understanding this balance can help students make informed choices about how they invest their time.