Getting into Harvard isn’t just about perfect grades, it’s also about how you spend your time outside the classroom. Activities that show leadership, initiative, and real-world impact can make all the difference. 

If you’re trying to figure out what are the best extracurricular activities to get into Harvard, it starts with choosing quality over quantity and building a story admissions officers won’t forget.

Unlock Your Harvard Edge: The Best Extracurricular Activities That Truly Impress

If you’re aiming for Harvard, your extracurriculars can’t just be “good”; they need to be exceptional, intentional, and impact-driven. 

Below, we break down the three tiers of extracurricular activities that give applicants a competitive edge in the admissions process, based on how Harvard evaluates leadership, initiative, and distinction.

Tier 1: Exceptional Activities (National/International Level)

These activities place you in the top 1-2% of all Harvard applicants

Research & Academic Competitions

Harvard values intellectual curiosity above all else. Students who excel in rigorous academic competitions demonstrate the kind of analytical thinking and problem-solving skills that thrive in Harvard’s demanding environment.

Top-Tier Examples:

• Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF): Winning or placing as a finalist shows you can conduct original research at a professional level
• International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO): Represents the pinnacle of mathematical talent globally
• USA Computing Olympiad (USACO): Shows exceptional programming and algorithmic thinking skills
• International Chemistry/Physics/Biology Olympiads: Proves mastery in specific scientific disciplines

These competitions require months or years of preparation, often involving mentorship from university professors and competing against the world’s brightest students. Finalists and winners have acceptance rates significantly higher than the general Harvard applicant pool.

Leadership at Scale

Harvard seeks future leaders who will shape society. Starting or leading large-scale organizations demonstrates vision, execution ability, and the capacity to mobilize others toward meaningful goals.

Top-Tier Examples:

• Founded a nonprofit that serves 500+ beneficiaries: Shows entrepreneurial spirit and social impact
• Led state or national youth organizations: Demonstrates ability to work with diverse groups and manage complex initiatives
• Served on city council or school board: Represents direct involvement in governance and policy-making

These roles require you to move beyond participating to actually creating change. Harvard admissions officers look for documented impact. How many people did you serve? What problems did you solve?

Athletic Excellence

Elite athletes bring discipline, teamwork, and competitive drive that Harvard values. Plus, recruited athletes have a significantly higher acceptance rate than regular applicants.

Top-Tier Examples:

• Division I recruited athlete: Harvard coaches actively recruit you for their teams
• State or national championships: In individual or team sports
• Olympic Training Program participation: Represents the highest level of athletic achievement

These achievements require years of daily training, sacrifice, and mental toughness. They demonstrate time management skills and the ability to perform under pressure, qualities Harvard admissions officers highly value.

Creative Arts Excellence

Harvard seeks students who will contribute to campus culture and bring diverse perspectives. National-level artistic achievement shows creativity, dedication, and the ability to excel in non-traditional academic areas.

Top-Tier Examples:

• Published authors: Books, articles in major publications, or award-winning poetry
• National art competitions: Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Gold Medalists, Congressional Art Competition winners
• Professional performances: Leading roles in professional theater, solo concerts with orchestras

These accomplishments require you to compete against adults and professionals, not just other high school students. They demonstrate exceptional talent and the ability to create work that resonates with broader audiences.

Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Harvard has produced countless entrepreneurs and innovators. Students who start successful ventures demonstrate initiative, creativity, and real-world problem-solving abilities.

Top-Tier Examples:

• Successful startups with revenue or investment: Businesses that solve real problems and generate actual income
• Patented inventions: Intellectual property that addresses genuine needs
• National business competition winners: DECA nationals, FBLA, or Diamond Challenge winners

These activities show you can identify problems and create solutions that people actually want. Harvard admissions officers look for evidence of impact, revenue generated, users acquired, problems solved.

Tier 2: Highly Impressive Activities (Regional/State Level)

These activities demonstrate significant achievement and leadership potential.

Student Government & Civic Leadership

Standout Examples:

• Student body president: Leading your entire school community through initiatives
• School board student representative: Participating in actual policy decisions
• Youth mayor or city council positions: Direct involvement in local government

Impact Focus: Harvard wants to see what you actually accomplished in these roles. Did you implement new policies? Increase voter turnout? Document your measurable achievements.

Academic Leadership

Standout Examples:

• Debate team captain: Leading your team to state or regional competitions
• Academic team captain: Quiz Bowl, Math Team, or Science Olympiad leadership
• Peer tutoring coordinator: Organizing programs that help dozens of students

Impact Focus: Quantify your leadership success. How did your team perform under your leadership? How many students did your programs help?

Community Impact & Service Leadership

Standout Examples:

• Organized community service projects serving 100+ people: Food drives, environmental cleanups
• Volunteer coordinator roles: Managing other volunteers and ensuring program effectiveness
• Fundraising leadership: Raising thousands of dollars for important causes

Impact Focus: Document the scale and sustainability of your impact. How many people did you help? What long-term changes resulted from your work?

Creative Excellence & Media Leadership

Standout Examples:

• School newspaper editor-in-chief: Managing a publication while developing journalistic skills
• Regional art competition winners: Showing your work stands out among hundreds of participants
• Drama production lead roles: Both performing and potentially directing

Impact Focus: Demonstrate the reach and quality of your creative work. How many people read your newspaper? How large were your audiences?

Specialized Academic Programs

Standout Examples:

• Governor’s School programs: Highly competitive summer academic intensives
• Research Science Institute (RSI): Elite research opportunities
• Academic summer programs at elite institutions: Harvard Summer School, Stanford Programs

Impact Focus: Highlight what you learned and applied. Did you continue research? Share knowledge with your school community?

Tier 3: Strong Activities (School/Local Level)

These activities provide a solid foundation but need additional depth to stand out.

Club Leadership & School Involvement

Solid Examples:

• Club president or founder: Starting new clubs or revitalizing existing ones
• Honor society leadership: National Honor Society with active roles
• Peer mentorship roles: Formally helping younger students

How to Elevate Them: Focus on measurable growth and innovation. Did membership increase under your leadership? Did you create new programs?

Consistent Community Service

Solid Examples:

• Long-term hospital volunteering: Regular shifts over multiple years
• Food bank or homeless shelter service: Direct service to vulnerable populations
• Environmental conservation work: Tree planting, park maintenance

How to Elevate Them: Take on leadership roles within your volunteer organizations. Train new volunteers, coordinate events, or start new service initiatives.

Academic Recognition & Honors

Solid Examples:

• National Honor Society membership: Shows academic excellence and character
• Subject-specific honor societies: Art, Technical, or Language honor societies
• Merit-based scholarships: Recognition by external organizations

How to Elevate Them: Use these honors as stepping stones to leadership roles. Run for officer positions or organize honor society service projects.

Performing Arts Participation

Solid Examples:

• School orchestra, band, or choir participation: Regular participation in musical ensembles
• Theater production involvement: Both performing and technical roles
• Musical leadership roles: Section leader, student conductor

How to Elevate Them: Seek leadership positions and create opportunities for others. Organize performances, teach younger students, or start new artistic programs.

Athletic Participation & Team Leadership

Solid Examples:

• Varsity team participation: Multi-year commitment to competitive athletics
• Team captain positions: Recognition by coaches and teammates for leadership
• Coaching or mentoring roles: Teaching skills to younger athletes

How to Elevate Them: Focus on leadership development and community impact. Organize team community service or mentor younger players.

Your extracurricular activities should tell a coherent story about who you are, what you care about, and how you’ll contribute to Harvard’s mission.

Master the Harvard Formula: The Ideal Number of Extracurriculars (And How to Nail Them)

Every line on your Common App tells a story, and at Harvard, that story needs to stand out. The admissions team isn’t looking for a checklist of clubs. They’re scanning for evidence of character, ambition, and meaningful leadership.

Quality vs. Quantity: What Harvard Actually Values

Harvard admissions officers are not impressed by bloated resumes packed with passive roles. What they’re truly looking for is depth, consistency, leadership, and measurable impact.

You could technically list 10 activities on the Common App, but if each shows minimal effort or short-term involvement, it weakens your narrative.

In contrast, students who dedicate themselves deeply to 2 or 3 standout activities, especially those with national recognition, creative vision, or tangible results, demonstrate exactly the kind of candidate Harvard wants on campus.

Example:
A student who:

• Won a national math competition (Tier 1)
• Founded a nonprofit that raised $50,000 for clean water (Tier 1)
• Served as student body president with measurable school-wide changes (Tier 2)

 …has a more compelling application than someone with 10 generic club memberships and scattered community service.

Realistic Benchmark for Harvard-Level Applications

There’s no magic number, but here’s a solid breakdown of what admissions officers often see in successful applicants:

Pro tip: Don’t confuse “busy” with “impressive.” Harvard can tell the difference.

Admissions success isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what matters, better, long before the Harvard transfer decision date arrives.

A focused, well-executed extracurricular strategy outshines any laundry list of surface-level involvement. Think impact. Think alignment. Think legacy. That’s what opens doors at Harvard.

Make Every Activity a Reflection of Your Potential

Harvard doesn’t expect perfection, it looks for purpose. Your extracurriculars should reveal what drives you, how you lead, and the real-world impact you create. Instead of chasing a long list of roles, focus on a few that truly reflect your strengths and ambitions. 

Whether it’s research, advocacy, arts, or innovation, what matters most is that your activities align with who you are and what you stand for. Start early, stay consistent, and let every choice showcase the future you’re ready to shape.