Apr 2 (edited) • 🎓 Strategy Posts
🌟 MEGA LIST: Extracurricular Ideas, Competitions & Programs 🌍
Whether you’re starting late or just getting curious in 8th or 9th grade—you’re not behind. This post is your launchpad: a MEGA list of specific ideas, competitions, and programs (many with scholarships or free access!) to help you build a powerful Activities & Honors List.
Programs that are free or offer partial/full financial aid or scholarships are marked with an asterisk (*).
🎯 Note: This list is global-friendly—while some opportunities are US-based, many are open internationally. Always double-check eligibility and deadlines!
🔧 Self-Initiated Projects (Showcase Leadership & Initiative)
- Community Service Initiatives: Organize local clean-up drives, community gardens, or awareness campaigns on issues like mental health or environmental conservation.
- Entrepreneurial Ventures: Launch a small business or social enterprise, such as an online store, tutoring service, or handmade crafts.
- Creative Platforms: Start a blog, podcast, or YouTube channel focusing on topics you're passionate about—be it science, literature, or social issues.
- Research Projects: Conduct independent research on subjects of interest and publish your findings in blogs or local journals.
🧠 Tip: You don’t need a big budget to start! Many of these can be done with free tools online. If needed, you can also raise funds by:
- Crowdfunding on platforms like GoFundMe or Ketto
- Partnering with local businesses or NGOs
- Offering services (like tutoring or design) to support your work
Take initiative, get creative—and don’t wait for permission to start!
🏆 Competitions & Challenges (Enhance Skills & Gain Recognition)
STEM Competitions:
- MIT THINK Scholars Program
- Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS)
- International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
- *NASA International Space Apps Challenge
- *Microsoft Imagine Cup
Writing & Humanities Competitions:
- *Young Authors Writing Competition
- *John Locke Essay Competition
- *Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Entrepreneurship & Business Competitions:
- *Blue Ocean Competition
- *Diamond Challenge
- Wharton Global High School Investment Competition
Art & Design Competitions:
- *Ocean Awareness Contest (Bow Seat)
- *Adobe Youth Voices
🎓 Pre-College & Summer Programs (Academic Enrichment & College Exposure)
STEM-Focused Programs:
- *Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
- AI4ALL
- *Smith Summer Science and Engineering Program
- *Google Code Next / Girls Who Code Clubs
Humanities & Social Sciences Programs:
- *TASS (Telluride Association Summer Seminar)
- *Economics for Leaders (FEE)
Business & Leadership Programs:
- LEADership Programs
- LaunchX
Language & Cultural Immersion:
- *CIEE Global Navigator High School Summer Abroad Programs
- *NSLI-Y (National Security Language Initiative for Youth)
Note: Many universities offer pre-college programs. Examples include Yale Young Global Scholars, Columbia's Summer Immersion Program, and Harvard's Pre-College Program. These programs often have scholarships available; check individual university websites for details.
🌱 Volunteer & Community Service (Make an Impact Locally & Globally)
- *UNICEF Youth Advocates
- *Habitat for Humanity Youth Programs
- *Amnesty International Youth Groups
🌍 International & Cultural Programs
- *AFS Intercultural Programs
- *Youth For Understanding (YFU)
- *Rotary Youth Exchange
🎭 Performing & Visual Arts
- *National YoungArts Foundation
- *Princeton University Art Museum's Summer Symposium
- *School of the Art Institute of Chicago's Early College Program
📚 Academic Enrichment Programs
- *Center for Talented Youth (CTY) at Johns Hopkins University
- *Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research
- *Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
🌐 Online Learning Platforms
- *edX High School Courses
- *Khan Academy
- *Coursera (free audit option)
- *FutureLearn
- *Udemy
Note: Both free & affordable options on all the above.
🏛 Leadership & Government
- Boys State and Girls State Programs
- Junior State of America (JSA)
- *National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC, only US students)
🧩 Special Interest Clubs & Societies
- National Honor Society (NHS)
- Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
- Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)
🎓 Opportunities for 8th Graders (Rising 9th)
Starting early can provide a solid foundation for high school extracurricular involvement.
- *Johns Hopkins CTY Online Programs
- *FIRST LEGO League
- *iD Tech Camps
- *MIT Science & Engineering Program for Middle School Students (SEMS)
- *Young Scholars Program (YSP) by Davidson Institute
- *4-H Youth Development Programs
- Local Community Theater Groups
- Middle School Debate Leagues
- *Coding Bootcamps for Teens (e g Code.org or Scratch)
- Art and Music Classes
- *Scouting Organizations
- *Junior Science Cafés / Local Libraries & MakerSpaces
💡 Reminder: At this age, it's all about trying new things and discovering what excites you. Focus on variety, curiosity, and consistency—your future self will thank you!
Additional opportunities can be found in my previous UK post: https://www.skool.com/the-ivy-wizard-2876/4-uk-104-how-to-stand-outcompetitions-research-more?p=4c5c9376
💭 Final Thought: You don’t need a fancy school or expensive program to build an impressive activities list. Start with what excites you, be consistent, and don’t be afraid to take initiative. Whether it’s a competition, a coding project, or a community service idea—you can start now. Which of these are you curious to explore first?
Drop a comment below or tag a friend who’d find this helpful 👇✨
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🌟 MEGA LIST: Extracurricular Ideas, Competitions & Programs 🌍
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