Deep Dive: Tell Me About Your Most Significant Extracurricular Activity
Since many students have found our Ultimate Guide to College Interviews helpful, we’re diving deeper with a series on the most common interview questions. If you’re looking for general tips, feel free to check out our guide—but if you want to tackle specific questions, you’re in the right place.
When you’re in a college interview, you need to balance two truths:
The interviewer doesn’t always have access to your file, so you need to tell them things about yourself that already might have appeared in your application.
The interviewer’s job is to report back with what they learned about you, and that report is added to your application. This means you do want to include new information that was not included in your application activities section or essays.
When it comes to answering the question "Tell me about the most significant extracurricular activity you were involved in," the goal is to showcase both your leadership and personal growth. Given the above truths, you want to think about how to reframe your accomplishments and add a new layer of your personality to your application.
1. Start with Context.
The first thing to establish is what the activity is and why it was significant. Don’t just say you were the president of a club or part of a sports team—explain what drew you to it in the first place. Did you have a passion for the cause, a desire to build certain skills, or were you motivated by an influential mentor or role model?
The first thing to establish is what the activity is and why it was significant. Don’t just say you were the president of a club or part of a sports team—explain what drew you to it in the first place. Did you have a passion for the cause, a desire to build certain skills, or were you motivated by an influential mentor or role model?
We’re giving you these examples in bullet points. Why? Because that’s how you should practice your responses. If you try to memorize a paragraph-long speech, you’re going to come off as robotic and stiff. This isn’t a test! You already know yourself; just jot down a few things you know you want to mention.
Example:
Example 1:
Passion for technology led to joining the high school robotics club → later became president
Initially joined to learn coding and engineering but gained leadership and management skills
Responsibilities: managing a team, organizing meetings, ensuring project completion
Biggest challenge: balancing workload between experienced and new members
Solution: Paired a struggling new member with an experienced coder → saw progress and teamwork
Most rewarding part: Watching collaboration and growth among team members
Example 2:
Founded ‘Roots for Change’, a nonprofit for educational & cultural mentorship for immigrant/refugee children
Inspired by personal experience as a child of immigrant parents facing cultural and educational struggles
Noticed challenges in the community: language barriers, lack of representation in school materials
Goal: Create a platform for academic support + cultural pride
Impact: Helped students feel empowered in both education and heritage
2. Discuss your role and responsibilities.
Talk about what you specifically did within the activity. Highlight any leadership positions you held or challenges you faced, as well as the impact you had. This is your chance to show the depth of your involvement and the skills you developed—be it in problem-solving, communication, collaboration, or time management.
Example:
Example 1:
Robotics Club President: led team of 30 members through the design and construction of our annual competition robot.
Organized meetings, managed a team of engineers, and ensured everyone worked efficiently
Coordinated fundraising efforts: taught me budgeting and resource management.
Example 2:
Developed a series of after-school workshops for free tutoring, mentorship, and cultural events
Partnered with local libraries and businesses to provide school supplies and resources.
Multicultural fair: students showcased their cultural backgrounds through music, dance, and food → created a sense of community pride.
3. Share your personal growth.
Explain how the experience transformed you. What did you learn about yourself or others? Did the activity help you overcome challenges? Did it teach you lessons in perseverance, teamwork, or adaptability? Reflect on how this activity shaped your personal development and helped you become a better version of yourself.
Example:
Example 1: I quickly learned how to support a team through setbacks. After a major technical issue caused us to miss a competition deadline, I had to step in and boost morale, encouraging my teammates to continue working with renewed energy. Setbacks are inevitable, but how you handle them defines your success.
Example 2: Running the nonprofit wasn’t easy, especially with the unique challenges immigrant families face, but it helped me develop leadership, communication, and organizational skills. It also strengthened my connection to my identity as an immigrant and deepened my passion for supporting those who share similar experiences.
4. Tie it back to your future goals.
Finally, bring it full circle by explaining how this activity aligns with your future ambitions. Whether it’s pursuing a career in engineering, becoming an entrepreneur, or just developing skills that will be valuable in any field, connect your experience to your broader goals and aspirations.
Example:
Example 1: My time in the robotics club deepened my interest in computer science and engineering. The teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills I developed in robotics will be invaluable as I continue to work on projects that push the boundaries of what technology can achieve.
Example 2: I not only gained practical skills but also deepened my commitment to social justice. I learned how small actions, when done with purpose, can lead to larger, lasting change. My ultimate career goal is to pursue immigration law, with a focus on advocating for the rights of immigrant families and ensuring that they have access to the resources and opportunities they deserve.
Final Thoughts:
The question about significant extracurricular activities is your chance to demonstrate your passion, leadership, and growth. It’s not just about what you did—it’s about why it mattered and how it shaped who you are today.
