Which Extracurriculars Actually Matter for Admission to College Engineering Programs?

Many STEM-focused students who enjoy problem-solving, have excellent attention to detail, and possess a perpetual curiosity hope to become engineers. From mechanical and civil engineering to electrical, chemical, industrial, biomedical, aerospace, and environmental engineering, there are about 50+ distinct engineering degrees available at American colleges. While selection varies, polytechnic institutes and large colleges with dedicated engineering departments typically provide the greatest degree of choice.

No matter which discipline you choose, engineering is considered to be one of the most competitive and challenging majors. Let’s dive into how you can set yourself apart.

DURING HIGH SCHOOL, HOW CAN I SET MYSELF UP FOR SUCCESS DURING THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS?

While maintaining a strong academic record, particularly in math and science, is most important, your extracurricular involvement can help signal your seriousness about an engineering major. However, this doesn’t mean that you need to sign up for anything and everything engineering-related! Instead, you should aim for deep involvemen—or involvement that showcases long-term commitment, growth, and impact—in 2-4 activities total, including 1-2 pursuits directly related to your interests in engineering.

Ideally, these engineering-related pursuits will:

1. Enable you to work on projects that develop your technical skills and exposure to industry-standard tools/software (preferred if you wish to develop a Maker Portfolio).
2. Help you build necessary soft skills, like problem-solving, analytical thinking, and attention to detail.
3. Teach you how to collaborate and communicate with others

WONDERING WHERE TO BEGIN? WE RECOMMEND CHOOSING SEVERAL ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE FOLLOWING TIERS:

1st Tier: Competitive activities that result in a tangible award, publication, conference presentation, public accolade, or other special distinction in your area(s) of interest. Attempt to engage in at least one 1st tier activity if possible.

2nd Tier: Activities that allow you to earn college credit, demonstrate mastery of relevant skills, acquire research and/or relevant job experience, and/or assume a leadership role or significant responsibilities over tasks that are directly related to your areas of interest.

3rd Tier: Activities that ultimately do not result in an award or leadership position, but that still allow you to accrue knowledge, skills, and/or experiences that have some
connection to the field(s) you are considering. Though not as impactful as first or secondtier activities, these pursuits can still yield admission-related benefits.

1ST TIER ACTIVITIES:

• Compete in regional, national, or international STEM or engineering-focused competitions, such as: the American Rocketry Challenge or Science Olympiad.
• Reach out to engineering professors at any local two-year or four-year institutions to inquire about opportunities to assist with engineering-related research.

2ND TIER ACTIVITIES:

• Join a well-established STEM or engineering-focused club at your high school, such as FRC Robotics, VEX Robotics, Technology Student Association, SkillsUSA, Rocketry Club, Science Olympiad, Physics Club, National Science Bowl, or an AMC-focused math club, with intentions to pursue a leadership role over time.
• Enroll in a college-level course in a STEM-related subject. If you opt to take a course, keep in mind that the prestige of the college matters far less than the course’s alignment with your academic interests. Therefore, don’t hesitate to prioritize course offerings that are affordable and convenient. Some institutions offering college-level courses to high school students include: Rice University or the University of Vermont.
• Secure a job or volunteer position where you can build skills that may eventually be transferable to engineering, such as a hardware store associate, IT help desk assistant, robotics camp assistant/instructor, mechanic shop assistant, or construction/carpentry assistant.
• Participate in a competitive, research-based, engineering-related internship or summer program that culminates in college credit or a paper and/or project that can be submitted for publication or conference presentation, such as: Boston University RISE or Princeton Labratory Learning Program.

3RD TIER ACTIVITIES:

• Join one of the above STEM-focused or engineering-related clubs, regardless of whether you plan to pursue a leadership role.
• Pursue personal projects that integrate engineering, particularly if those projects fulfill a need in your school or community.
• Use free platforms like freeCodeCamp, CS50 by Harvard (edX), Codecademy, or The Odin Project to learn a new coding language.
• Tutor your peers or younger students in a STEM area. Opportunities can often be pursued through your school or at your local library.
• Participate in a reputable engineering-focused summer program, such as: WPI Fronteirs or the Purdue Summer College for High School Students.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Strong engineering applicants distinguish themselves by pairing rigorous coursework with sustained, hands-on problem solving beyond the classroom. By committing deeply to a small number of engineering-focused activities that build technical skills, collaboration, and real-world impact, students can demonstrate both readiness for demanding programs and genuine curiosity about their chosen field. Admissions officers look for evidence of long-term engagement, initiative, and the ability to apply theory to practice.