[datta01]

I want to get into top uni's such as Harvard, Stanford and MIT, all of these uni's look for extracuriculars what extracurriculars do they like???

[perlsh]

From the little I've read; they like consistency. They're not too picky what you're doing as long as you're showing passion and commitment. So something you've done for several years would be more impressive than the five things you've done in the last year (which would prolly look suspicious anyways)

That said, I didn't apply for US uni's and thus didn't do too much research, so take my word with a grain of salt.

[Descartesz]

It's more the pattern of your EC life than the particular one's you choose that is of interest. Competitive schools like to see

-- Leadership (e.g., be an officer, get elected)
-- Initiative (e.g., start a business or a club, take some risks)
-- Dedication (e.g., consistent yearly commitment to at least a few activities)
-- Consistency (e.g., study in the sciences and work in a lab)
-- Responsibility (e.g., holding down a part-time job, taking care of your family in the absence of parents)
-- Social consciousness (e.g., causes beyond yourself)
-- Achievement (e.g., awards and successes)
-- Authenticity (e.g., participation inspired by your values, not your resume)

Variety doesn't hurt either, so long as it doesn't cripple some of the other characteristics. Trying new things is a positive, but they frown on "serial joiners" who can never focus.

Obviously some of these can conflict -- you can't hold down a job and do a lot of other EC's, for example. Admissions committees are aware of this paradox. Really what they want are talented, passionate, mature, and stimulating individuals whose skills and interests can contribute to the campus community. EC's are pieces of evidence that support this.

[Lumos]

they like you to commit. they would rather have someone who lives and breathes ice hockey, for example, coaching kids teams, competing nationally, wins tournaments, writes about it in their application essay and does little other extra curriculars than someone who tries a bit of everything but doesn't excell in any of them. which is most of us, unfortunately. The best kinds of ECs are sporting, musical, entrepreneurial, leadership, charity (better if you organise it rather than just help out), work experience/ summer courses et cetera... something that you can say improved you as a person.