Clubs and volunteering
Database administrator: these ideas suit all computer and software 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
- Coding or computer science clubClubWeekly projects with friends; a good place to take on leadership.
- FIRST or VEX Robotics teamCompetitionTeams build and program robots for regional contests.
- USA Computing Olympiad (USACO)(official website)OnlineFree online programming contests with levels from Bronze up.
- CyberPatriot(official website)CompetitionA national cyber-defense competition for student teams.
Volunteering ideas
- Teach coding to younger kidsAt a library, school, or a Girls Who Code club.
- Tech help for seniorsHelp older neighbors with phones, video calls, and safety online.
- Build a site for a nonprofitA website for your community group shows real skills.
Building something real, like an app or website people use, often says more than certificates.
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.