2010newbie said:
Edited to add: I'm referring to civilian university and not RMC. I don't know how they treat extracurricular activities.
If by 'extracurricular,' we mean outside the realm of academics, then extracurricular activities are mandatory at RMC. You must either play on a varsity team or compete in intramural sports, as well as participate in squadron life & duties which could mean parades, inspections, daily/weekly/monthly duties, bar positions (positions of responsibility within the cadet wing), maintaining a room standard, cleaning squadron/common areas, attending briefings/meetings/functions, and anything else of a number of things. So in that sense, extracurricular activities are mandatory.
On the other hand, many of the aforementioned activities make up part of the curriculum for ROTP cadets at RMC based on the four pillars (Academics, Military/Leadership, Athletics, Bilingualism) in which case they would not be considered strictly extracurricular, because they are required. Extracurricular activities would then include committees/clubs you may be a member of, or groups like band, highland dance, etc.
At RMC, extracurricular activities reflect positively on you so they are encouraged; however, priority is academics first. You're paid to earn an undergrad (RMC or civ U) so your job is to go to class, do your assignments, study, and pass.