Extracurriculars expected from international applicants?

“Do US universities expect international applicants to have similar accomplishments”

The short answer is “yes”.

However, if you do one thing very well, that can be a very good extracurricular activity. You do not need to have a long list of ECs. Music can be a very good EC. Doing what you want to do very well is the right approach to take.

Also, ECs do not need to be associated with a student’s high school. Working a job, looking after a sibling, volunteering at your church, or significant musical awards or abilities are all ECs. So are many other things.

I was an international student at a couple of top US schools (one for undergrad, one for a master’s), and to be honest I was blown away by the accomplishments I saw from some of the other students that I met in international students events.