Which Extracurriculars Actually Matter for Admission to College STEM Programs?

In the early 2000s, the National Science Foundation coined STEM: science, technology, engineering, and math. Today, STEM curriculums—which combine all four disciplines—are a core educational fixture in many US schools, aiming to build skills and confidence while increasing the likelihood of STEM success & persistence in college and beyond. As such, if you’re interested in pursuing a major in engineering, math, or science, high school is the perfect time to begin preparing.

Depending on which STEM discipline you choose—and which college you apply to—you may be facing a very competitive college admissions process. Along with prioritizing a rigorous math and science curriculum, aspiring STEM majors should also engage in related extracurricular opportunities. 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 a STEM major. However, this doesn’t mean that you need to sign up for anything and everything STEM-related! Instead, you should aim for deep involvement—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 STEM.

Ideally, these STEM-related pursuits will:

1. Enable you to work on projects or research that develop your skills as well as your exposure to industry-standard tools/software (preferred if you wish to develop a Maker Portfolio).
2. Help you build necessary soft skills in your discipline, 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 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 competitions, such as: USACO or iGEM Competition.
• Reach out to math, science, or engineering professors at any local two-year or fouryear institutions to inquire about opportunities to assist with STEM-related research.

2ND TIER ACTIVITIES:

• Join a well-established club at your high school (ideally with a number of chapters throughout your state or the U.S.), such as Science Olympiad, FRC Robotics, National Science Bowl, Technology Student Association, 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. Institutions offering college-level courses to high school students include: Oregon State University or Rice University.
• Secure a job where you can build skills that may eventually be transferable to your STEM discipline, such as a hardware store associate, IT help desk assistant, robotics camp assistant/instructor, mechanic shop assistant, or construction/carpentry assistant.
• Find an internship or volunteer position where you can use & develop your skills. For example, if you have skills in web design or development, reach out to local businesses and/or nonprofits to volunteer your services.
• Pursue a job with CodeNinjas, Mathnasium, or a similar company that offers STEM instruction to students.
• Participate in a competitive STEM internship or summer program, such as: COSMOS or Jackson Laboratory Summer Student 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 STEM, 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 STEM-focused summer program, such as: MIT MITES Summer Program or SUMaC.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Strong STEM applicants distinguish themselves by pairing rigorous coursework with sustained, hands-on engagement beyond the classroom. By committing deeply to a small number of STEM-focused activities that build technical skills, collaboration, and real-world problem solving, students can demonstrate both readiness for demanding majors and genuine curiosity about their chosen field. Admissions officers value depth, initiative, and applied learning far more than a long list of loosely connected experiences.