Black woman in white shirt looking at empty wallet in shock, yellow background

Great Extracurricular Activities That Won't Break Your Bank Account

You don't need to have expensive hobbies to strengthen your college apps! These extracurricular activities are perfect for students looking to save their money.

It might seem impossible to find extracurricular activities that will make you stand out to college admission boards when money is a factor—especially if your peers are backpacking across Europe or taking expensive horseback riding lessons. Great extracurriculars with little to no expense may seem like a rare breed, but no matter where you are, amazing opportunities exist that are sure to put the spotlight on you. Here are just a few examples of impressive yet inexpensive student activities.

Skill-based extracurricular activities

Experimenting in skill-based extracurricular activities is a wonderful place to start building your résumé. Everyone has something they excel at; whether it’s sports, a school subject, a hobby, or another skill, there’s most likely an extracurricular for it! Begin by simply scouring the internet for clubs, groups, competitive meets/championships, and other extracurricular activities related to your skills. Most skill-based clubs on the internet are free, and there may be some inexpensive or free clubs near you.

For example, if you excel at spelling, you may consider joining a club that’s designated to better your skills and participate in competitions. Joining a local spelling bee club in your area is a great way to earn awards for your college applications, show that you’re dedicated to bettering yourself, and showcase your special skills. Many schools also host spelling bee competitions! If your school doesn’t, you can always show initiative and bring the idea to your school board. This portrays leadership, industry, and passion—all of which college admission boards look for. This applies to any skill or interest and is inexpensive to do.

Related: An Easy Navigation Guide to High School Clubs and Activities

Volunteer-based extracurricular activities

Volunteering is an amazing way to strengthen your college applications—and it doesn’t have to fall into the typical categories. If you’re interested in business, volunteering to hold a sign for your local market is just one example of how you can portray your passion for the business industry. Other examples include pursuing unpaid internships for scientific research, volunteering your time at an aquarium for those interested in marine biology, or asking about opportunities at your parents’ workplace(s) if allowed. Volunteering doesn’t cost a penny, and it’s an exceptional way to gain unique experiences and impress colleges at the same time.

School-based extracurricular activities

Chances are that your school has a variety of clubs, positions, and other special opportunities for you to choose from. Taking advantage of these is a crucial part of increasing your extracurricular involvement. From chess club to student council, high schools offer many benefits outside of the hours you’re required to be there. National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society are also hosted by most schools and are impressive to college admission officers. If you can’t find something you’re interested in at your school, try starting your own club! This demonstrates leadership, which many college admission boards seek when choosing applicants. Taking advantage of the opportunities available at your school is one of the easiest ways to get more involved with extracurriculars without spending a lot of money (if any).

Related: Commit to Extracurricular Activities for Better College Admission Chances

You don’t have to break the bank to impress college admission boards with your quantitative and qualitative list of extracurriculars. From choosing activities based on your skills to opting for volunteering or school-based clubs, you can show your skill set and boost your college applications. Ensure that you choose extracurriculars that mean something to you, as this will aid you in finding your passion. Extracurriculars are there for everyone, whether you face economic challenges or not.

Find other great ways to make your applications stand out in our College Admission section.

Like what you’re reading?

Join the CollegeXpress community! Create a free account and we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more.

Join Now

Tags:

About Melissa Mitchell

Melissa Mitchell

As a mere child, Melissa Mitchell’s vivid aspirations were often shut down and written off as a chimera. Discouragement written over their tongues often dulled the flame—but she did not cease. From that moment forward, Melissa made a vow to always believe in herself, for there is not success without it. Passions in life are difficult to find; leadership and writing are her passions, and she is here to encourage you to embrace yours. Dreams are truly mankind’s greatest power—never stop dreaming. 

 

Join our community of
over 5 million students!

CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit.

Join CollegeXpress

College Quick Connect

Swipe right to request information.
Swipe left if you're not interested.

Clarkson University

Potsdam, NY


Kyla McClain

Kyla McClain

High School Class of 2024

I found CollegeXpress when you partnered with Bold.org for a scholarship. I found your website, put my information in, and got connected. I only wanted to stay in North Carolina [for college] and not move far from home, but you all opened a door up for me. I started researching colleges you suggested for me. On your social media platforms, you also give really good test-taking tips that I used and suggested others to do the same. It helped me a lot on my exams, so thank you.

Keaun Brown

Keaun Brown

$2,000 Community Service Scholarship Winner, 2020

As I transition to furthering my education, I can say with certainty that it simply wouldn’t be possible without the help of generous organizations such as CollegeXpress. Those who initially founded CX had no idea their platform would give a plethora of information to a first-generation homeless kid native to the ghettos of over half a dozen states. Everyone at CX and Carnegie Dartlet gave me a chance at a future when the statistics said I had none. And for that, I thank them.

Sierra Carranza

Sierra Carranza

High School Class of 2022

I had absolutely no idea where I wanted to go to school; I was considering colleges in almost every state. CollegeXpress was an amazing resource and helped me compare all of my top schools. Without the help of CollegeXpress, I probably wouldn't have made such an informed and confident decision.

Farrah Macci

Farrah Macci

High School Class of 2016

CollegeXpress has helped me in many ways. For one, online searches are more organized and refined by filtering scholarships through by my personal and academic interests. Due to this, it has made searching for colleges and scholarships significantly less stressful. As a student, life can already get stressful pretty quickly. For me, it’s been helpful to utilize CollegeXpress since it keeps all of my searches and likes together, so I don’t have to branch out on multiple websites just to explore scholarship options.

Fernando Ponce

Fernando Ponce

High School Junior

College is a way of life that helps us find out who we are as a person, and CollegeXpress is a great way to stay connected with our future, even for students with little time on their hands due to the challenges of high school we face.