Do Extracurriculars During Admissions Season Still Count?

Yes! It’s finally senior year. You may be thinking, “What’s one more missed meeting?” But picture this: opening your email next week, you see that your dream college has reached out and asked for an update… Do your extracurriculars during admissions season even count?

Many students assume senior spring is a free pass once applications are submitted, but that mindset can be risky. If you’re aiming for top colleges, now is not the time to get caught slipping. This guide will help you understand why your post-application activities matter, how to write about them, and what to focus on in the final stretch of senior year.

Admit it: you’ve worked hard to get here. After months of essay writing, test prep, and extracurricular juggling, submitting your college applications felt like the finish line. Now you’re ready to sit back, enjoy prom season, and count down the days to graduation.

But wait—why does that feel a little too easy?

You’re right to be suspicious. Many students assume their extracurricular involvement can taper off once applications are in—but that can be a costly miscalculation, especially if you’re aiming for selective schools or sitting on a waitlist.

Don’t worry; it's not too late. In this article, we’ll explore whether extracurriculars during admissions season still count (spoiler: they do), and how you can make the most of this final stretch to stay competitive, focused, and future-ready.

Here’s the truth: 

Colleges aren’t done reviewing your file just because you hit submit. In fact, many schools continue reviewing academic and extracurricular updates well into the spring and even summer—especially for students who were deferred or placed on the waitlist. But this also applies to students who apply to rolling admissions later in the application window.

All this means your performance and involvement during the spring semester could still influence your admission decision. Admissions officers might request mid-year reports, ask for updates, or review public achievements. As the saying goes: receipts don’t lie. If you abruptly drop your responsibilities or stop showing growth, that change can be noticed—and not in a good way.

Harvard’s admissions blog reminds applicants that “continued academic performance and engagement throughout senior year” remains a consideration. You’ve come this far—don’t undermine your efforts now.

Here are some tips from an Empowerly college counselor and former Brown University admissions officer on how to handle the waitlist and this tricky time of year:

A LOCI, or Letter of Continued Interest, is a brief document you send to a college where you’ve been deferred or waitlisted. Usually one page or shorter, it serves to officially signal that the school remains a top choice for you, and gives you a chance to present new information that strengthens your candidacy.

Not all colleges allow or consider LOCIs—so it’s critical to check each school’s policy before sending one. ?As of 2025, several U.S. colleges and universities have explicitly stated that they do not accept these letters from applicants on their waitlists. 

• You were deferred in the Early Action or Early Decision round
• You’ve been waitlisted and the school accepts LOCIs
• You’ve had a major update (award, leadership, GPA boost) since applying

If you were rejected outright, a LOCI won’t change the decision. For those that do accept them, a well-crafted LOCI can help admissions officers see your growth and continued enthusiasm.

• A reaffirmation that the school is your top choice
• A brief summary of any new academic achievements, awards, or leadership activities
• A professional and gracious tone—thank the committee for their time and reiterate your genuine interest

And always remember: respect, research, and attention to detail are keys to success when it comes to reaching out to admissions offices.

Virtually any meaningful activity that reflects continued commitment or growth can be included in your LOCI. That said, you’ll want to focus on extracurricular activities and accomplishments that highlight your strengths. In other words, put your best foot forward. 

That might mean:

• Academic activities, like placing in a science fair or continuing research. Placed top 3 in a science fair? Started tutoring underclassmen in biology? Include it.
• Athletic activities and accomplishments, like being named team captain or qualifying for championships. Did you help lead your team to state playoffs? That works!
• Creative activities, like performing in a spring play or debuting an art exhibit. Finished editing your short film? Launched a digital art series? Show how you followed through.
• Service activities, like leading a fundraiser or mentoring younger students. Organized a community drive with your other club members? That’s impact—mention it.
• And more!

Even nontraditional passion projects like launching a YouTube series, writing for a publication, or organizing an event in your community can show initiative and follow-through. Share what you’ve built and what you’ve learned.

Unsure how to get started? This article includes several examples of how you can structure your own letter when you write it. 

If the school is your first choice, say so clearly in your letter. This can contribute to your demonstrated interest—an admissions factor some colleges use to assess how likely you are to enroll if admitted. While not every school tracks it, for those that do, expressing continued interest can give you a slight edge.

A good LOCI should also:

• Express genuine gratitude to the admissions team
• Confirm why the school is a great fit for you
• Stay under one page and focus only on meaningful updates

Not sure if you'll be asked to submit a LOCI? That’s okay—your best strategy is to keep showing up. Whether you’ve been accepted, deferred, or are still waiting, continued engagement in your activities sends a message: you’re committed, responsible, and growing.

For example, let’s say you’re co-president of a community service club. Use the spring semester to plan one final impactful event, like a food drive or community clean-up. Or maybe you’ve been working on a short film or research paper—finish it, publish it, share it. Continue your club gatherings, volunteer projects, and anything else that sparks your fire.

Admissions aside, this is also a powerful time for personal growth. By continuing to contribute, lead, and improve, you’re building momentum that will serve you well in college and beyond.

While you’re keeping up your momentum, it’s also time to look ahead. Start focusing on the colleges where you’ve already been accepted—and explore those opportunities with an open mind.

Consider:

• Which schools align with your academic goals?
• Where do you feel most comfortable or excited?
• What financial aid packages have you received?

If you’ve been invited to admitted student days, go! These events can give you an invaluable perspective—and even help clarify whether your waitlist school should remain your top choice. Remember, most students must submit an enrollment deposit by May 1, so planning ahead ensures you don’t miss a critical deadline.

• Keep up your extracurricular commitments
• Finish any big projects you started in the fall
• Track waitlist deadlines and LOCI policies
• Compare financial aid offers
• Attend admitted student events
• Journal your thoughts (it will help with decisions and scholarship essays)

It’s easy to think of senior spring as the cool-down lap after a marathon, when in truth, it’s more like the final stretch before the finish line. By now, you’ve hopefully realized that the college admissions journey doesn’t end when you click "submit." Your actions in these final months still count—sometimes more than you know. And how you finish matters. Colleges are still watching, and more importantly, you are still growing.

If you’re waitlisted or still waiting to hear back, staying engaged in your extracurriculars gives you something powerful to share—new achievements, renewed commitment, or simply the fact that you didn’t give up when you could have. If you’ve already been accepted, following through on your responsibilities shows maturity and self-respect. And if you're somewhere in between? These last few months are the perfect chance to show who you really are when no one is watching.

Because here’s the thing: character counts. That might not show up as a GPA or test score, but it’s part of what sets you apart. Schools want students who finish what they start—who continue to lead, contribute, and grow even when the pressure eases up. And beyond admissions, you will benefit from the sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, and confidence that come from staying the course.

This isn’t about perfection—it’s about momentum. About leaving high school on a high note, with the knowledge that you didn’t coast, but committed. That mindset will carry you into college and into life with resilience, integrity, and a clear sense of purpose.

So take a breath—but don’t check out. Use this season to reflect, refocus, and finish strong. Because your definitely story isn’t over when you leave high school. In many ways, it’s just getting to the good part.

As one senior put it, “Finishing strong wasn’t easy—but it made me feel like I earned my seat at the table.”

Whether you’re polishing a LOCI, choosing between schools, or gearing up for summer, Empowerly is here to guide you. Book your free consultation today—because a strong finish can set the tone for your next big beginning.