Survey Reveals What Drives Gen Z Extracurricular Engagement

The college application process has long emphasized the importance of a well-rounded extracurricular profile. Students know that showcasing commitment to sports, clubs, and volunteer work can be a key to standing out. But have you ever wondered if these activities are truly a labor of love, or if they’re a strategic part of the college admissions game? Do students participate in extracurricular activities because they feel they have to, or because they genuinely want to? What drives their extracurricular engagement?

ScholarshipOwl wanted to get to the heart of this question. We recently surveyed thousands of high school and college students to gain a deeper understanding of what motivates them, what they enjoy doing in their free time, and what kind of scholarships they truly desire. The insights are powerful and confirm that students’ extracurricular involvement is driven by a mix of strategy, passion, and personal values.

Who Participated in the Survey?

In July 2025, ScholarshipOwl surveyed 12,611 high school and college students on the ScholarshipOwl scholarship platform to learn more about what kinds of extracurriculars Gen Z students are involved in, and what they enjoy doing in their spare time.

Among the respondents, 66% were female, 33% were male, and 1% identified themselves as a different gender identity or preferred not to respond to the question. Nearly half (46%) were Caucasian, 24% were Black, 17% were Hispanic/Latino, 6% were Asian/Pacific Islander, 2% were American Indian/Native American and 5% selected “other” or preferred not to respond to the question.

One-third (33%) of the respondents were high school students, with the overwhelming majority high school seniors; more than half (56%) were college undergraduate students, primarily college freshmen and college sophomores; 9% were graduate students and 3% identified themselves as adult/non-traditional students.

Question 1: What extracurricular activities have you been involved in during high school or college?

With the first question, ScholarshipOwl’s goal was to better understand which extracurricular activities Gen Z students participate in. The overwhelming majority selected more than one activity from the list.

• 73% selected volunteer service / community service / internships
• 57% selected working out / fitness activities
• 50% selected sports
• 38% selected performing arts (acting, singing, dancing, playing an instrument, backstage tech, etc.)
• 36% selected honor society / academic honors organizations
• 33% selected visual arts (drawing, painting, ceramics, crafts, graphic design, photography, animation, video production / video editing, etc.)
• 30% selected camping / fishing / hiking / boating / outdoor adventures
• 29% selected social clubs / organizations
• 27% selected gaming
• 27% selected academic clubs
• 27% selected activities related to their religion / house of worship
• 18% selected writing / blogging
• 14% selected student government
• 11% selected creator / influencer activities
• 10% selected academic competitions (science fairs, math competitions, etc.)
• 7% selected technology clubs (computer club, robotics club, etc.)
• 5% selected ROP / job training / apprenticeship for trades & technical careers
• 4% selected debate team
• 4% selected ROTC / preparing for a military career
• 2% selected Model UN

Question 2: What free-time activities do you truly enjoy?

With this question, we wanted to understand what activities Gen Z students actually love doing. We also wanted to separate this from the term “extracurricular,” which students often associate with a strategy for getting accepted to colleges. Most students selected more than one activity.

• 80% selected spending time with friends / family
• 54% selected sports / fitness
• 53% selected cooking / baking
• 51% selected reading
• 48% selected outdoor adventures
• 45% selected volunteering for causes I care about
• 42% selected shopping
• 37% selected gaming
• 34% selected drawing / painting
• 28% selected singing
• 28% selected photography
• 27% selected building things / working on projects with my hands
• 27% selected writing
• 25% selected dancing
• 23% selected crafting / ceramics
• 21% selected playing an instrument
• 20% selected yoga / meditation
• 12% selected creating videos / animation
• 9% selected acting
• 9% selected working on cars

Question 3: I wish that there were more scholarships that would enable me to showcase my…

For this question, we wanted to find out what kinds of scholarships Gen Z students really want, and where they feel current scholarship offerings are missing the mark. Most students selected more than more answer.

• 56% selected progress toward my career / future goals
• 53% selected resilience / ability to overcome a challenging life circumstance
• 41% selected academic abilities
• 41% selected dedication to causes I care about
• 26% selected physical strength / fitness
• 26% selected passion for outdoor adventuring
• 25% selected dedication to my sport
• 19% selected gaming skills
• 18% selected creative writing talent
• 16% selected culinary talent / cooking skills
• 14% selected visual art talent
• 14% selected performing arts talent
• 10% selected building / mechanical skills
• 8% selected video / animation skills

What Our Survey Reveals About Gen Z’s Passions & Priorities

Our survey results paint a fascinating picture of how today’s students balance the strategic demands of college applications with their personal interests. Here are the key insights that stand out:

• Passion is a Powerful Driver

There is a strong overlap between what students do for their resume and what they genuinely enjoy. For example, a significant portion of students are involved in sports/fitness (57%) and outdoor adventures (30%) as extracurricular activities, and a similar number truly enjoy them in their free time (54% and 48% respectively). This indicates that many students are successfully integrating their true passions into their academic profile.

• Volunteering is a Top Priority, Inside and Out

An overwhelming 73% of students participate in volunteer service as an extracurricular, and nearly half (45%) say they love doing it in their free time. This highlights a clear commitment to giving back to their communities, a motivation that is both strategic and deeply personal.

• Gen Z Students Want Scholarships That Recognize Their Whole Self

While academic ability is important (41% wish for scholarships for it), students want to be rewarded for more than just grades. The top two desired scholarship categories are “progress toward my career / future goals” (56%) and “resilience / ability to overcome a challenging life circumstance” (53%). This shows a powerful desire for scholarships that recognize their journey, their grit, and their future aspirations, not just their past achievements.

• Hidden Talents Are Looking for a Platform

The survey reveals a demand for scholarships that recognize passions that aren’t always traditional “extracurriculars.” Gaming, culinary skills, and physical strength/fitness all ranked highly as desired scholarship categories, yet they are often under-recognized. This is a clear signal that scholarship providers would benefit by creating scholarships that celebrate the diverse talents of today’s students.

The Power of Being Authentically You

Our survey confirms that today’s students are a generation of multi-talented individuals with a wide range of passions, from dedicated community service to a love of cooking and gaming. While they are savvy about building a profile for college admissions, their interests are deeply rooted in activities they truly enjoy.

The message for scholarship providers, colleges, and students is clear: extracurriculars and free-time activities are not mutually exclusive. When they align, they create a powerful narrative of a student who is not only driven but also authentically engaged. By seeking out scholarships that recognize the whole student—their resilience, their career goals, and their diverse skills—students can turn their passions into a debt-free education. You don’t have to fit a mold to earn money for college; you just have to be authentically you!

ScholarshipOwl is your go-to resource for scholarships that recognize students’ unique interests, talents, and experiences! To start your free 7-day trial, visit www.scholarshipowl.com.