Clubs and volunteering
Data scientist: these ideas suit all data, statistics, and actuarial careers. Pick a career below to see other ideas.
What colleges actually look for
- Depth, not a long list. Two or three activities over several years mean more than ten short ones.
- Growing responsibility. Leading, organizing, teaching, or starting something.
- Real impact. What changed because your child was there.
No single club guarantees admission.
Read the guide: what US colleges look for →Clubs to look for at school
- Math teamCompetitionContests such as the AMC build problem-solving skills.
- Coding or computer science clubClubPython and spreadsheets are everyday tools in data work.
- Science fair or research projectResearchCollect and analyze real data over months; many regional fairs feed into national ones.
- USA Computing Olympiad (USACO)(official website)OnlineFree online programming contests with levels from Bronze up.
Volunteering ideas
- Data help for a nonprofitHelp a community group track members, donations, or survey results.
- Tutor mathTeaching others shows mastery and care.
- Run a school or community surveyPlan the questions, collect answers, and share what you found.
Strong math matters most. A real project, like analyzing data about something your child cares about, shows interest better than a certificate.
These count too
- A paid part-time job
- Caring for siblings or translating for parents
- Steady service at your temple, gurdwara, mosque, or community group
The Common App has its own categories for paid work and family responsibilities.
Last reviewed October 7, 2026.