Tufts Blogs

If you are feeling intimidated by the college application process, I highly suggest breaking up the application into sizeable sections. One section has essays, one section asks you to input some of you background information, other sections asks for transcripts, recommendation letters, and there is even a section where you can upload a portfolio of your artwork. This blog will focus on the extracurricular section, where you can share the activities, club, sports and responsibilities you have outside of the classroom.

There is no doubt in our minds that you are learning a great deal from your teachers and peers within your classes. However, you also learn a lot from activities outside the classroom, where you have the chance to explore your interests and engage with others outside of an academic setting.

Any activity done outside of the classroom can be described as extracurricular, but there are some limits on what you should list in this section. Read below to see if it counts!

1. Jobs – Yes! Jobs definitely give you a new perspective, a new set of skills, or even instill a newfound interest. Personally, working at the natural history and science Museum was not only exciting, but it refreshed my interest in geology and astronomy.
2. Instruments – Definitely. Even if you are just taking lessons, or simply practicing a few times a week via Youtube tutorials, let us know!
3. Religious Service – Are you active in your religious community? Count it! Involvement in a religious community is a commitment and takes up time outside of your formal class hours.
4. Hobbies / Passion Projects: Are you a budding photographer? A future chef with a blogsite? A film and media director in the making? Let us know!
5. Avid TV fanatic – Do you love Hulu or Netflix? Are you religiously watching reruns of Scrubs while hoping for a reboot? While TV series do offer us a much needed break, unfortunately series surfing is not an activity you should list on your application (Although, the podcast you’re hosting about your favorite series is something you should list!)
6. Family Responsibilities – Count them in! If you are babysitting a sibling or providing care for an elder, let us know!

I hope this helps. If you are still unsure about whether you should list something or not, you can always ask your guidance counselor or even send the Tufts admissions team an e-mail.

Best of Luck!