blankk

This is an issue that I assume lots of other people have: Good-ish Jr. year, empty-ish early high school career. I won a writing contest Junior year, did well with E.C.s including making a successful club, have a nice internship this summer (gonna be a senior in the fall) and am volunteering at a hospital. I didn't do any of this stuff "to get into college" and enjoy being part of all these (well, except volunteering at the hospital... But I guess it's been an edifying experience). The writing club I made is popular, a lot of fun, and something I'm really proud of, but I know it reeks of resume padding... And I'm wondering if my political internship looks schizophrenic as well. Am I kinda screwed? Honestly.. I mean if I were an adcom I wouldn't consider myself real, but I swear I am! What's one to do?

anon4321

I feel the exact same way! I did like NOTHING in 9th and 10th grade but I did a bunch of stuff in 11th and will be continuing that stuff in 12th, but I don't want it to look like I'm just padding my resume. I really do enjoy the stuff that I'm doing now; it's not just for college apps. I guess we just need to show them through our essays how passionate we are about the things that we are doing now; I don't know what else to do!

M's Mom

"The writing club I made is popular, a lot of fun, and something I'm really proud of, but I know it reeks of resume padding."

Yes, if all you do is start a club in 11th grade. If you actually write - have been writing for several years, spend several hours a week working on your craft, try to get your writing published or self-publish it, if you write with a goal in mind, then it sounds less like resume padding and more like something you really care about and have always cared about.

That's the problem with clubs - presented in isolation, they do indeed sound like a last ditch effort to impress the ad coms with 'leadership.' If a club is a natural outgrowth of a long-term interest, something you've been committed to for a while, it seems less opportunistic and more consistent with your position that this is really something you care about.

blair961

Hey, I just want to bump this.
I'm in the same situation, but I have unfortunate reasons why I couldn't participate in EC's in 9th and 10th Grade.

anon4321

@blair961 If you have a good reason then I would imagine colleges will understand

blankk

@M's Mom
Thanks. I know you're right, it's just that even with other experiences, the line between dilettantes and aspiring artists is so arbitrary, and with a process as clinical as the application process, proving yourself on the right side of that line seems near impossible. I really appreciate your advice.

@blair961
A guidance counselor might be able to explain this, and there might be other outlets to do so on your app. It depends on your situation though, Good luck