Gwen Fairfax

I've been married 23 years and I can never decide whether it shows how courageous and dedicated I am or how completely I've succumbed to inertia.

applejack

Here's why this is a bad idea: Adcoms are adults. A three year relationship is nothing. Billions of people are in 3 year, 5 year, 10 year, 20 year, etc... relationships.

It doesn't inherently say anything, and could say something bad. Many are miserable - they gave in or settled or got stuck with someone for financial reasons. Oftentimes it takes less work to maintain a relationship than it would to end it and establish a new path where an individual is actually happy. That's obviously not your situation, as yours seems to have been very positive, but I can name off the top of my head over a dozen people in much longer ones who are miserable and stuck with someone they no longer even like.

Also, being in a relationship is actually quite self-serving. You get all the attention (physical and emotional) you could want and have someone there to help with the day-to-day activities of life. That's why the default is for people to find someone to latch onto.

I've been in both long-term relationships and on my own, and it's a lot tougher being single and fending for yourself.

Including it is only going to remind them of your youthful outlook.

confused56

i've had the same boyfriend for four years now and i wouldn't even think to include it in a college application. while i agree it takes alot of commitment to maintain a relationship, especially in HS, for that period of time i don't think it will make you stand out in anyway; lots of ppl have serious relationships. If it does make your application stand out, it wouldn't be a positive but more of a befuddled reaction you'll receive from the admissions officers. Also how do u think your girlfriend will feel that you only consider her an 'extra-curricular activity'.

maxellis

Maybe I should list the number of different people I've slept with as an EC. I mean, it took a lot of work to sleep with so many girls!

XX55XX

I find this curious that this thread is posted on the front page. Now, legions of over-achieving kids are going to get the wrong impression that having a boyfriend/girlfriend and treating it as an "extra-curricular" can be a good thing to tell an adcom.

Madness.

Alex7592

Yes, and write about it in your essay

skas12

u have a pretty good relationship....but its really not gonna help in a college essay

annikasorrensen

It is not hard to maintain a girlfriend/boyfriend in highschool. You live at home. You have upwards of 90 - 100% of your daily needs met (food, clothing, shelter, mom or dad driving you everywhere) and probably a lot of extras (cable tv, internet access, computers, video games). What true accomplishment is a highschool love affair?

Are you supporting your girlfriend financially? No. Her parents take care of all her needs. So what do we have here? Two completely dependent minors living in their la-la land enjoying the fruits of their PARENTS' labors.

The dating? Big whoop - two kids being bestest friendsies. How much effort does that take other than txting each other or calling each other on your cellphones (does Mom or Dad pay for your cell phone plan, too?). And perhaps also having sex... ah the joys of not really thinking about the future consequences of STDs or pregnancy as a minor.

I see nothing at all about 2 high school kids dating that has them stand out for the positive in a college application. I am generically glad they have had the chance to nurture a friendship (or more), but from an adult perspective, I sincerely believe that dating when TOTALLY dependent (ie: 80% or more of your total daily living costs are covered by your parents...food, rent, medical insurance etc) is mock-dating/practice for the real thing. It isn't an accomplishment.

The longevity-which seems to be the OPs bragging point-is not an important factor.

I'm not saying that loyalty doesn't have its place... but in an essay, only if there is a bigger challenge beyond "I've been kissy face with the same girl for 3 years." Lessee, if the girl went through cancer and you were at her side, then it would be interesting. Not the dating, but what you learned emotionally from being so close to a difficult life situation.

Fighting over what movie to see (driving in Mommy's car after being fed dinner at home) with a girlfriend and having the maturity to see past those differences is NOT essay material.

All above examples are my own exaggerations. If OP wants to post something of real depth, perhaps the responses will be different.

So far, no one is impressed. OP needs to realize that short of a brilliant twist that he hasn't presented yet, this topic is going to likely be received poorly or at least be a risky choice.

crimsonchin68

imo: you are not going to college. if you need to put that down as an ec then you are in some serious spit in terms of a quality application

R124687

...hmmm...sounds more like it should go under "Job" to me. Think she'll write you a recommendation?

cairo10

are you serious? that's like putting down that you've been a member of your family for (insert age here). relationships DO NOT count as extracurrics..

although the hours per week you spend "committing" to your "extracurricular" might be amusing on an app. definitely not a plus for you, though.

Jakor

I think it's pretty funny that so many people have seriously replied...

nwoodward

I agree that is enough work for an extracurricular, however it is not for the application. Myabe mention in interview?

TheyCallMeCC

haha, this can't be serious...

"Of course! And under skills, you might want to put down: can drive a car, can put on shoes AND tie them, can dress himself... etc.

It would REALLY make you stand out"
lol

Mr.Norrel

Lol, I feel bad for the girl now.