5 Easy Steps to Writing Your Best Extracurricular Essay
- Blue Admission
- May 8
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 19
In the college application process, you will encounter similar themes throughout various essay prompts. One of the most common is the “Extracurricular Essay.”
Examples of “Extracurricular Essay” prompts include:
"Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences.
"Please describe a meaningful activity or experience outside of school that has been important to you.
“Think of all the activities, both in and outside of school, that you have been involved with during high school. Which one are you most proud of and why?
These questions may seem straightforward, but they require deeper thought.
Understanding the Purpose
Colleges and universities ask these questions for specific reasons:
At its core, they seek insight into which extracurricular activity or work experience matters most to you.
Digging deeper, they want to understand why this activity is significant, how it has influenced your life, and what it reveals about your character and personal growth.
To help organize your ideas for the “Extracurricular Essay," we have outlined a simple method.
First, if you haven’t created a resume for university admissions yet, this is an excellent time to start. You can read more about resume writing for university admission and find a free downloadable template to assist you.
Let's Jump into These 5 Easy Steps for Writing Your Best Extracurricular Essay
Step One: List Building
Start by preparing a couple of different lists. Keep your resume or activity list handy for this exercise.
List One: Significance to Me
First, review your resume or activity list. Identify 2-3 activities that feel significant to you. What does "significance" mean? It can vary in meaning. Generally, it means picking 2-3 activities that matter most to you personally.
An activity might stand out because it represents your success or has played a vital role in your personal growth during high school.
In your brainstorming document, write down the activities that feel most significant to you.
List Two: Significance to Larger Community
Now look through your resume or activity section again. Identify 2-3 activities that have the most significance to a larger community.
These communities can be your school, local church, city, or even a global community.
Feel free to choose the same activities from List One. That’s completely fine!
In your brainstorming document, write down the activities that feel most significant to a larger community.
List Three: Significance to Academics, Career, and/or Major
For this final list, identify 2-3 extracurriculars that are most significant to your academic interests, career aspirations, or intended university major.
In your brainstorming document, write down the activities that feel most significant to your academic interests, career interests, or intended university major.
Step Two: Zoom In
The best extracurricular essays focus not on the number of hours invested but on the stories and lessons that transformed you.
One effective method to make your "Extracurricular Essay" stand out is to zoom in. Choose a specific moment or experience rather than summarizing every detail of your involvement.
Pick a memory related to your extracurricular that reflects its significance. This small moment can create a powerful essay.
For Step Two, refer back to List One: Significance to Me and respond to the following prompts for your chosen activity:
Give Context. In one or two sentences, summarize why this activity stands out among others on your list.
Zoom In. Reflect on your experiences. What is one specific memory that embodies this activity's significance to you? Add a detailed description to your brainstorming document.
Be Specific. Share your unique story. What challenges did you face? How did you overcome them? What skills or lessons did you learn?
Get Emotional. Reflect on how the activity influenced your goals or shaped who you are. What emotions do you associate with this activity?
Take your time answering these prompts. This reflection will elevate your “Extracurricular Essay” from basic to extraordinary.
Step Three: Draft
Now, using your outline from Step Two, create a rough draft of your "Extracurricular Essay."
Don’t worry about word count or grammar at this stage. Focus on writing an essay that zooms in on the examples of how this extracurricular has impacted you. It should tell a unique story filled with details that only you could share.
Step Four: Edit and Refine
Once you have your draft, it’s time to refine it. This is where you will focus on clarity and detail. Make sure your essay flows well and connects emotionally with the reader.
Review grammar and spelling, making adjustments where needed. Remember, storytelling is vital here; maintain the emotional connection you have to the activity.
Step Five: Repeat
Go through these steps for at least one extracurricular activity from each of your three lists: List One (Significance to Me), List Two (Significance to Larger Community), and List Three (Significance to Academics, Career, and/or Major).
This approach gives you various options to choose from each time you address this popular essay topic. Select the best entry from your sets.
Final Thoughts
The "Extracurricular Essay" is a prevalent prompt in the university application process. The time you invest in your drafts will pay off in the long run.
Focus on crafting “Extracurricular Essay” options that highlight your personal growth and contributions to the communities you’re part of.
Want more essay writing help? Blue Admission can assist with more helpful blog posts and one-on-one advising.
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