Question: What extracurriculars (individual and team) in school or outside can my daughter do that are good enough to be counted or make an impact towards her college?
WHAT DID “THE DEAN” SAY?
See: http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/extracurriculars-strengthen-college-applications/
It doesnt matter what, just make sure your daughter is dedicated to it. Like doing it for 3-4 years, thats what colleges like. However clubs like speech and debate and science olympiad look
Become a recruited athlete. Seriously if you have a little kid, around 6 or so, try squash or fencing. Golf for a girl (not a boy).
Even then, I know at least a half dozen athletes who were good enough to make it to state etc. A bunch got injured the year before college, one had to have leg surgery, two were not recruited by any school they wanted (they were good schools just not a good fit) and went to good places based on academics only. Another had his skills decline senior year and was not recruited but because he had anticipated being recruited (and was approached in prior years), he did not take the AP classes he should have in 10th and 11th
Otherswise none of this stuff will help unless your kid makes it to at least the county finals with academics. The problem with debate or anything that is a tacademic team is no matter how good your kid is, if the team is not good they will not advance. If the team is too good, they may not make the cut as freshmen
You really do have to find something your child enjoys that is not run of the mill
Colleges love it when the students extracurricular is somehow related to her intended major because extracurricular doesn’t mean only playing sports. For example: if someone wants to major in business, then working at the local thrift store even as a volunteer is considered relevant experience. And of course, playing sports, being in clubs are always options. Whatever it is, the activity should show commitment and leadership.