Colleges value long-term commitment rather than short-term involvements. While it is good to explore your interests through club participation, universities are not necessarily impressed by long lists of clubs.  Rather than simply listing clubs on an application, students should highlight the positive IMPACT they have demonstrated through their sustained commitment to their clubs.

New Trier is steeped in history and has a long, storied legacy, as do the colleges and universities that many of our students will go on to attend. As such, it is important to keep in mind that having an impact isn’t always about inventing something new. It's about demonstrating authentic involvement in clubs where you show how you can adapt and have meaningful contributions to a community that was there long before you and will be there long after you leave. Remember, colleges are not just looking for club founders; they want to see depth of involvement, an ability to collaborate as part of a team, and tangible contributions within an organization. Participation in an already-established club is a great way to demonstrate these skills!

Benefits of joining an established club

Established clubs often provide stronger advantages as they offer built-in infrastructure, mentorship, and broader school engagement, allowing students to take on more leadership roles, initiate impactful projects, and work within a structured environment. Consistent, long-term participation in an established club signals commitment and the ability to collaborate, adapt, and grow within a team. Additionally, leadership within a well-recognized organization tends to carry more weight in applications, as admissions officers understand the significance of roles like club president, committee leader, or event organizer.

Established clubs also offer students many ways to exercise creativity and innovation while demonstrating their ability to think critically and lead change within an existing framework. In fact, most clubs welcome new energy and ideas, encouraging members to propose new ideas, develop fresh initiatives, and launch projects that enhance their impact.

Starting a new club

When successful, founding a new club may showcase entrepreneurial spirit; however, students should carefully consider whether they will be able to grow a strong membership and maintain sustainable engagement over time.  Every year we have new clubs join the program, and it is also true that some clubs cease meeting due to low participation. Starting a new club that lasts for only one year is not necessarily impressive to a university. At New Trier, this can be challenging as there are nearly 150 student organizations and clubs that cover a wide range of interests. A hallmark of the Student Activities Program is its ability to adapt to and provide new opportunities for students, but it is important to check first to make sure an existing club does not already address the interest you have.

“Impact” isn’t always tied to new ideas and projects, it is also good to demonstrate how you are able to function as a member of a team. Collaboration and inspiring others to action while demonstrating humility are wonderful ways to demonstrate your teamwork skills. This may incorporate things like engaging your peers, bringing new people on board, helping others cope with setbacks or challenges, or even successfully managing a complicated project or initiative. This approach not only strengthens your leadership credentials but also showcases your ability to refine and expand on traditions while leaving a lasting legacy. Again, active participation in an established club offers students many ways to demonstrate their ability to collaborate, adapt, and grow within a team.

Note: In the Activities Program, working with your club sponsor is essential to your success as well as to the overall success of the club. As such, it is important you are in communication with the adult leader (sponsor) regarding all aspects of club planning and activities.

The most obvious way that you might describe your impact is through the lens of leadership. However, it is also important to keep in mind that impact isn’t tied to a title; it’s tied to action. Leadership is what you do, not what you are called.

Leadership with an official title: 

Were you a club officer? A committee chair? You could describe specific moments when you led a project, dealt with a difficult situation or challenge, or convinced others to follow a direction.

Leadership without an official title: 

A student who consistently shows up, hypes events, and engages others builds club momentum more than a passive club officer ever could. What is something you have done that made your club stronger, without having a formal title? Did your support help someone else try something new? Have your actions encouraged others, if so how? Did you take the lead on a specific project or initiative?  Were you responsible for contacting other organizations and organizing an event? Were you responsible for the marketing for a donation drive? Did you help others accept an unpopular decision or overcome a setback? If so, talk about it! These are all strong examples of ways in which students can use their leadership to influence others and positively impact your club!

Admissions officers prefer students who have pursued activities that genuinely interest them over time.   Even if you are not a club leader, participation in a club will provide concrete examples that you can share on a college application of ways that you have discovered a new interest, pursued an existing passion, or expanded your understanding of yourself and others. 

Did you develop the plan for a club-related initiative? Did you design the flyers or run a social media campaign for your club’s event?  Did you help organize a drive or campaign to educate your peers on a particular topic or cause?  Did you help welcome and mentor new members of your club?  Many students demonstrate their commitment by helping shape club activities, representing the group at events, or bringing in new members, no formal title required.

Clubs also offer an opportunity to demonstrate your passion for a specific interest or cause. Colleges appreciate students who contribute to their school and community through service-oriented clubs or projects. The New Trier Social Service Board oversees more than fifteen groups that serve organizations throughout the Chicago area in a variety of ways from tutoring to working with senior citizens, and more. New Trier students can sign up to participate in any of these active service experiences. Learn more here: http://www.socialserviceboard.com

Problem-solving, teamwork, and communication are all skills that are highly regarded by colleges and participating in clubs offers students unique opportunities to hone these skills by actively navigating challenges, collaborating with peers, and sharing ideas. Whether taking the lead on a project, helping to resolve group conflicts, overcoming an obstacle, or presenting ideas, these experiences help to foster the confidence and adaptability essential for college and beyond.

Participation in clubs related to a student’s intended major can strengthen their college application by indicating that you are passionate, proactive, and reinforcing your commitment to the field. It can also allow you to deepen your subject matter knowledge while allowing you to showcase your initiative, leadership, and teamwork in a particular area of interest.

• Did your club examine a particularly complex issue?  What did you do to better understand the facts of that issue?  What perspectives did you seek out that were helpful in understanding it better?
• Did your club host a discussion of a specific topic?  How did you prepare for this event?  Did you provide a speaker or any readings to help other students understand this topic?

• What challenges did you face during your participation in a club?  How did you personally contribute to solving it?
• Did you group want to take on a specific project or address a specific cause but wasn’t sure how to start?  How did you help the group think through the best ways to begin?  What did you do to move forward with action?

• Did your club work to address a health issue?  What did you learn about this issue by participating in the club? 
• Did your club do any fundraising activities or volunteer work to address a health issue?  Describe that experience.  What did you learn?  How did your work impact that issue? 
• How has participating in a club helped you have a more balanced, healthy life?  How has it helped you balance the stress you may feel in other parts of your life?

• Did your club address an issue of global importance?  If so, what did you do to learn about that issue?  Did you help the club address that issue in some way?
• How did you work to help create a supportive and welcoming community in your club?  Why was that important to you?  What specific things did you do that were helpful or effective?
• Did you club work to help others in our community through volunteer work, a supply drive, or fundraising?  What was the issue being addressed?  How did you work to make that activity successful?  Why was it important to you?

• How did you help your club communicate to the rest of the school?  Did you create posters, fliers, or social media posts?  Did you make an announcement on the PA?  Was that challenging for you?
• Did you ever have a moment during your club time when you felt you spoke up on behalf of someone else or addressed something that you felt was insensitive or wrong?  What happened?  What was the outcome?  Why did if feel important to you to speak up?