what are some unique programs or after school activities

Ditto #39! Do activities because they are liked, not because a parent thinks they will help in the college admissions process. Not every future x major will have done the x activity in HS.

Years ago, one of the other parents on our tour at Stanford asked what EC activities our guide participated in when she was in high school herself. She told us all that back then, she wanted to be a veterinarian, so she spent a good deal of time cleaning stables, just so she could be near the horses. But she laughed and said that and her essay about hard work got her into Stanford, so everyone should try shoveling sh***"