Extracurriculars

Quality over quantity! Join clubs that you are genuinely interested in rather than joining multiple that you are peripherally interested in. – Jessica Yu, 2021

How to Find Activities or Clubs to Join

  • The Student Union hosts an Activities Fair in the beginning of every semester for all students. For the Fall semester, the fair is held on Mudd Field, and for the Spring semester, the fair is held in the Sumers Rec Center.
    • Remember to get a map to know where the different classifications of organizations are located.
    • COVID-19: For Fall 2020, the activities fair is virtual.
  • SUp All Night introduces first year students to Washington University’s wide variety of student groups. This event, located in the DUC, features free food and drinks provided by Bon Appetit, dance and acapella performances, and booths representing different student groups.

Sports

  • Intramural (IM) Sports
    • Can be formed by any group of students
    • One notch more competitive and rigorous than sports clubs
    • Taylor STARS has an IM team for basketball and soccer. Contact your SPCs for info on how to join!
    • More information about WashU intramural sports.
  • Sports Clubs
    • Typically SU-affiliated
    • “Speaking from my experience as a part of Club Running and from what I know about Women’s Ultimate, the club sports teams are a great way to make friends and stay active. You don’t have to be incredibly good at the sport to join, but if you want to be very involved and competitive, you can be.” – Emily Stava, 2019

Cultural Performances

  • Annual shows that are organized, written, and performed by undergrads
  • Diwali: “A showcase celebrating the Hindu holiday of the same name, is a WashU institution, regularly selling out. Produced by Ashoka, the South Asian student association, Diwali includes energetic dancing (bhangra, chahaat, garba, raas), music, skits and fashion.”
  • Black Anthology: “Each year the Executive Board, cast and crew aim to create a show that examines the nuanced black experience in America, from both the past and present.”
  • Lunar New Year Festival: “Dynamic performances ranging from acting to dancing to martial arts explore Asian heritage from both traditional and modern perspectives, and acknowledge social issues prevalent in Asian communities.”
  • Carnaval: “Put on by the Association of Latin American Students (ALAS), this student-run production showcases Latinx culture and spreads awareness of Latinx/Latin American issues. In addition to a skit, there are a host of dance acts, including Bachata, Salsa, and Tango, as well as a Mariachi Cuicacalli performance.

Advice on Joining Clubs

  • Always value quality over quantity, and join the clubs that match your interests, academic, and social goals.
  • Before applying/auditioning, talk to current members of the group to get a better sense of the time commitment and strategies members use to balance these intensive responsibilities with school, sleep, work, friends, and other activities.
    • EST, S.A.R.A.H., and Uncle Joe’s are quite competitive and require 10+ hours of training/week upon acceptance into the program, with continuous training once you become an active medic/peer counselor. 
    • Participating in a student theatre production generally means 15+ hours of rehearsal each week. 
  • Be realistic about how much time you have to devote to such activities given your course load, work schedule, prior commitments, and basic sleep needs. 

Activity Fees

  • Some activities on campus require fees. Check with the coordinator of the activity or club for fee details.
  • Ways to find help funding your activities 
    • The SU Opportunity Fund offered through our office in partnership with SU helps offset costs related to SU groups. 
    • The Archway Fund from Congress of the South 40 (CS40) provides financial assistance of up to $15 for CS40 events
    • For other opportunities to fund your extracurricular expenses, refer to the Taylor STARS website.  

Greek Life

  • Some scholarships available
    • Depending on the Greek organization, you may be able to negotiate the cost. Each chapter has a different system for dues and scholarships, so inquire within the fraternity/Panhellenic before you decide to rush. Some chapters will work with you on cost, but this varies from chapter to chapter.
  • Delayed Payment 
    • “My sorority has different payment plans. Most of the members pay one lump sum for the whole year but it can be hard to pay that much at one time so I pay installments to our treasurer. It’s a smaller sum that I pay once a month that is much more manageable for my family and myself.” – Sabrina Tannehill, 2019