How important are extracurricular activities in the private school admissions process?

Extracurriculars are like the seasoning on a great dish. Without them, the application might be solid, but with them, it really shines. Admissions teams love to see that a student is more than just strong grades. Activities show passion, initiative, and how your child uses their free time to grow, create, and contribute. Whether it’s robotics, violin, soccer, debate, coding, or even competitive origami (yes, it’s a thing), what matters is consistency and engagement. Bonus points if your child takes on leadership or makes an impact in their chosen area. So no, they don’t need to do everything—just a few things they care about and stick with.