As students gear up for college applications, many feel intense pressure to pack their schedules with endless activities like sports, clubs, volunteering, internships, and more, just to stand out. The myth is widespread: the busier you look, the better your chances. But is that really what admissions officers want?
The Howl investigated this topic and quickly found that local high schools and colleges, like many admissions experts nationwide, prioritize quality and focus over sheer quantity or a packed schedule of activities.
Admissions officers consistently emphasize depth of commitment, long term involvement, and a genuine passion for a few meaningful pursuits instead of a long list of loosely connected activities. This approach allows students to show real growth, impact, and authenticity, qualities that stand out far more than simply staying “busy.”
In short, fewer, deeper commitments tell a stronger story than spreading efforts thinly across a multi-colored calendar of craziness.
Academics remain the foundation. Strong grades and rigorous coursework come first for most colleges.
“Grades are important, and if they have an acceptance letter,” said parent Jessika C., explaining what she believes matters most for college applications.
Letters of recommendation can help, but only when they add real insight.
“Letter of recommendation does not really matter, you want to find somebody that can speak to you and your abilities, rather than a generic fluff letter,” said Dr. Hood, a school counselor at Los Osos High School.
Generic form letters add little value compared to those that offer specific examples of your character and contributions.
During the later years of high school, many students start seriously considering future careers and target colleges.
“I have started planning for college and my career seriously the summer before my senior year,” said Kalen S.
This raises a key question: What actually matters, and what doesn’t? Admissions officers focus on demonstrated achievement, genuine interests, commitment, and personal growth, not minor daily routines or unrelated details. They don’t need to know how many pets you owned, what household chores you handled routinely, or whether you always aligned with your parents’ views.
“Students can work really hard through junior year and then make it easy their senior year and they should really make all four years count,” said Mr. Marquez, a school counselor at Rancho High School.
When it comes to activities, a long list doesn’t necessarily impress.
“Listing every club doesn’t matter on your application. Yes, some clubs do matter, but only those that people invest a lot of time in,” said Emily R.
Many students join after-school activities, particularly sports. Athletes often train for years, hoping it boosts their applications. While sports promote health, discipline, and teamwork, they are not essential unless you are a recruited athlete at a competitive level. For most, participation shows well-roundedness but rarely stands out on its own.
“I usually try to choose the sports that I actually enjoy,” said Sanaya S.
Even parents sometimes reflect on the investment.
“It didn’t work out. She didn’t pursue water polo in college. I think only a very small number of students who do club sports end up playing in college, so the college boost may be minimal,” said Alejandro R., parent of a current college student.
In truth, only a tiny fraction of high school athletes continue at the collegiate level. For the majority, sports contribute to personal development more than to admissions edges.
“Don’t stress too much about what other people say and just keep doing you and knowing how you learn is really important,” said Mia Y., a college admissions expert from Chaffey College.
Sports are not the only area where time spent does not always translate to application impact. Hobbies and personal interests often fall into this category.
“Something that takes up a lot of time but doesn’t have a spot on your college application is your hobbies and interests. Although hobbies can provide good insight into someone’s personality, there is no section to reflect that on the college application,” said Emily R., a student at California State Long Beach.
Peer influences can also shape decisions.
“I look back at my friends pretty often because they are smart, so sometimes I feel like I am falling behind,” said Sanaya S.
Students often chase activities just to appear impressive, even when they add little substance.
“The extracurriculars are character building, but they don’t really count towards anything,” said Riley, a college admissions expert at BYU Idaho.
Ultimately, students and parents benefit from rethinking priorities. Rather than chasing everything to pad a resume, emphasize meaningful commitments, sustained effort, and authentic passions. Admissions value depth over breadth and encourage focus on what genuinely reflects who you are and how you grow.
“Everyone has their own path,” said Sanaya S.
