How many extracurriculars should I have on my application?

Here’s the truth: private schools aren’t keeping score with a clipboard, tallying up your activity count. They don’t want ten half-baked hobbies—they want two or three things you actually care about. Think quality over quantity. Did you stick with something for years? Did you grow in it, lead it, or create something new? That’s what matters. A long list of clubs where you barely showed up doesn’t impress anyone. It’s like showing up to a potluck with ten bags of chips and no main dish. Focus on depth, consistency, and impact. One standout commitment beats five background-filler clubs every single time.