Remote & Online Extracurriculars You Can Do from Anywhere

Article Summary

Best remote and online extracurricular activities you can do from anywhere: virtual clubs, online competitions, research programs, and digital projects.

Full Article

Geographic location should never limit your extracurricular potential. Whether you live in a rural area with few local opportunities, have scheduling constraints that make in-person activities difficult, or simply want to expand your options beyond what's available nearby, remote and online extracurriculars offer incredible possibilities.

The rise of remote work and virtual learning has created a golden age for online extracurriculars. From virtual internships at major companies to online research programs with university professors, from MOOCs that let you learn from world-class instructors to remote clubs connecting students globally—the options are more robust than ever.

Why Online Extracurriculars Matter

Online activities offer unique advantages:

• Access: Opportunities that would otherwise require living in a specific city or attending a certain school
• Flexibility: Work around your schedule, time zone, and other commitments
• Global connections: Collaborate with students and mentors worldwide
• Self-direction: Demonstrates initiative and ability to work independently
• Digital skills: Builds competencies essential for modern careers
• Portfolio building: Create tangible work products you can showcase

Colleges recognize that meaningful involvement matters more than physical location. A student who leads an impactful online project demonstrates just as much dedication as one who participates in a local club—sometimes more, since remote work requires exceptional self-motivation.

Pro Tip: Browse our opportunities database and filter by "Virtual" modality to find remote programs that match your interests.

Virtual Internships

Remote internships have exploded in availability. Here's how to find and succeed in them:

Where to Find Virtual Internships

• Company websites: Many tech companies, nonprofits, and startups offer remote high school internships
• LinkedIn: Search for "virtual internship" or "remote intern"
• Internship platforms: Chegg Internships, WayUp, Handshake (if available through your school)
• Cold outreach: Email professionals in your field of interest; many will create opportunities
• Nonprofits: Organizations like DoSomething and VolunteerMatch list remote positions

What to Look For

Strong virtual internships offer:

• Clear projects and deliverables (not just busywork)
• Regular communication with a supervisor or mentor
• Opportunities to learn real skills
• Some degree of responsibility and ownership
• Potential for a recommendation letter

Making Virtual Internships Work

• Set up a dedicated workspace with reliable internet
• Over-communicate: check in regularly, ask questions proactively
• Document everything you accomplish
• Request feedback frequently
• Build relationships with colleagues despite the distance

Online Research Opportunities

Conducting research remotely is increasingly common, especially in computational and data-driven fields.

Types of Remote Research

• Computational research: Data analysis, machine learning, bioinformatics, computational chemistry
• Literature-based research: Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, policy research
• Crowdsourced science: Citizen science projects (Galaxy Zoo, Foldit, iNaturalist)
• Independent projects: Research you design and conduct yourself

Finding Remote Research Opportunities

• Email professors: Many are willing to mentor remote students, especially for computational work
• Programs: Polygence, Pioneer Academics, and similar programs connect students with research mentors
• Citizen science: SciStarter.org lists hundreds of projects you can contribute to
• Open-source research: Contribute to open-source scientific projects on GitHub

Making Remote Research Meaningful

• Aim for a tangible outcome (paper, poster, dataset, tool)
• Present your work at science fairs or conferences
• Publish if possible (many journals accept high school student work)
• Keep detailed notes for future writing and discussion

MOOCs and Online Courses

Massive Open Online Courses let you learn from top professors and earn credentials that demonstrate academic curiosity.

Best Platforms for High School Students

• Coursera: Courses from top universities; many offer verified certificates
• edX: Similar to Coursera with strong university partnerships
• MIT OpenCourseWare: Free access to MIT course materials
• Khan Academy: Free courses on a wide range of subjects
• Codecademy/freeCodeCamp: For learning programming
• Brilliant.org: Interactive STEM courses

Making Online Courses Count

Taking courses is just the start. Make them meaningful:

• Complete courses fully – Finishing demonstrates follow-through
• Earn certificates – Paid certificates provide verification
• Apply what you learn – Build projects using new skills
• Go deep, not wide – Several courses in one area beat scattered sampling
• Connect to your spike – Choose courses that reinforce your theme

Project-Based Learning

Better than just taking courses is building something with what you learn:

• Take a machine learning course, then build an ML project
• Study web development, then create a real website for a cause
• Learn data science, then analyze a dataset and publish findings
• Study economics, then write a policy paper or start a finance blog

Remote Clubs and Organizations

Virtual clubs connect you with like-minded students worldwide.

Types of Online Communities

• Academic clubs: Online Model UN, debate leagues, academic competition training groups
• Interest-based: Discord servers for coding, writing, science, and more
• Service organizations: Virtual volunteering and activism groups
• Professional development: Student entrepreneur networks, pre-professional communities

Finding Virtual Communities

• Discord: Search for servers related to your interests
• Reddit: Many subreddits have active student communities
• LinkedIn groups: Professional and academic groups for high school students
• Specialized platforms: Hack Club for coding, online debate leagues, etc.

Taking Leadership in Online Communities

Don't just join—contribute and lead:

• Organize virtual events or workshops
• Moderate discussions or mentor newcomers
• Create resources (guides, tutorials, databases)
• Start your own community if none exists for your interest

Online Competitions

Many prestigious competitions are conducted entirely online:

Academic Competitions

• Math: AMC/AIME (first rounds online for many), various online math leagues
• Computer Science: USACO, Google Code Jam, hackathons, capture-the-flag cybersecurity
• Writing: Scholastic Writing Awards, numerous essay contests
• Debate: Many leagues offer online tournaments

Innovation Competitions

• Hackathons: MLH hosts numerous virtual hackathons for high schoolers
• App competitions: Congressional App Challenge is fully remote
• Design challenges: Various design competitions accept online submissions

Creative Competitions

• Art: Many digital art and photography competitions
• Film/Video: Online film festivals and video competitions
• Music: Virtual performance competitions and composition contests

Building Digital Projects

Some of the most impressive extracurriculars are projects you create yourself:

Types of Digital Projects

• Websites and apps: Tools that solve real problems
• Content creation: Blogs, YouTube channels, podcasts
• Open-source contributions: Contributing to public software projects
• Research and data projects: Analyses, visualizations, datasets
• Digital art portfolios: Showcasing creative work online
• Online publications: Starting a magazine, newsletter, or journal

Making Projects Stand Out

• Solve a real problem: Projects with actual users/readers have more impact
• Quantify your reach: Track downloads, visitors, engagement
• Iterate based on feedback: Show continuous improvement
• Document your process: Be able to discuss development and decisions
• Make it public: Share on GitHub, personal website, or appropriate platform

Pro Tip: Use our Activities Builder to document your projects' development and impact over time. This makes writing about them on applications much easier.

Virtual Volunteering and Service

Make an impact without leaving home:

Types of Virtual Volunteering

• Tutoring: Free online tutoring platforms, peer tutoring networks
• Nonprofit support: Remote work for organizations (marketing, design, writing, tech)
• Crisis support: Text/chat-based counseling and crisis lines (with training)
• Mentorship: Mentoring younger students through virtual programs
• Advocacy: Digital organizing for causes you care about

Finding Virtual Volunteer Opportunities

• VolunteerMatch: Filter by "virtual" opportunities
• DoSomething.org: Youth-focused campaigns, many digital
• United Nations Online Volunteering: For 18+, but good to know about
• Direct outreach: Email nonprofits offering your skills

Tips for Success in Remote Extracurriculars

Self-Discipline is Essential

Without physical accountability, you must motivate yourself:

• Set specific times for remote work
• Create a dedicated workspace
• Use productivity tools to stay on track
• Set goals and deadlines for yourself

Communication Matters More

In remote settings, you must actively communicate:

• Check in regularly with supervisors/collaborators
• Ask questions proactively
• Provide updates without being asked
• Build relationships through virtual means

Document Everything

Without physical presence, documentation is your proof:

• Save screenshots, certificates, and correspondence
• Track hours and accomplishments
• Keep work products and portfolio pieces
• Get written recommendations when possible

Make It Tangible

Online work can feel abstract. Make it concrete:

• Produce deliverables you can show
• Quantify your impact with metrics
• Create a portfolio or website showcasing work
• Be able to discuss your work in detail

How to Present Online Activities on Applications

When describing remote extracurriculars:

• Don't apologize: Present online activities with the same confidence as in-person ones
• Clarify scope: Note if it's international, if you worked with specific organizations, etc.
• Quantify impact: Users, reach, hours contributed, projects completed
• Show initiative: Emphasize self-direction and proactive engagement
• Connect the dots: Explain how remote work fits your overall story

Your Next Steps

Ready to explore remote opportunities?

1. Take our Find My Fit quiz to identify activities aligned with your interests
2. Browse our opportunities database filtered by "Virtual" modality
3. Track your online activities in the Activities Builder
4. Identify 2-3 online opportunities to pursue this semester
5. Set up dedicated time and space for remote work
6. Know of a great online opportunity? Submit it to help other students!

The internet has democratized access to opportunities in ways previous generations couldn't imagine. Your location, school resources, and local options no longer define your potential. Take advantage of the remote possibilities available, build something meaningful, and show colleges the initiative and self-direction that online work demands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Featured Programs

• MIT PRIMES-USA Math Research Program — MIT's online math research program for students outside Boston. Year-long mentorship conducting original mathematics
• Harvard-MIT Chemistry Olympiad (HMChO) — Join a free online chemistry competition for high school students (Grades 9-12) to boost STEM skills, enhance college
• Perennial Math Competitions — Boost math skills and stand out on college applications with hybrid high school competitions. Engage
• Code in Place - Stanford — Master coding with Stanford's free online programming course for high schoolers. Build skills, boost college
• LeetCode Contests — Compete in free online programming contests for high school students! Build coding skills, prepare for interviews

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