ghodn22

Depends on how good you are at it. Any regional/national events? awards? etc

Ironmomus

Well, I just lost my shot at it last year, as a freshman, but plan to go this year. Regional just high placed awards in local tournies.

Reason im asking is, im only a Sophmore, but want to know if my EC's are to weak for either U of C, Berkeley, or Ivies of some sort...

Ironmomus

it being nationals

chaotic

Are certain ECs of greater value to certain universities? For example, will Wharton even appreciate the fact that I participated in TASP, a humanities-oriented summer program?

stressed0ut

colleges wanna see that you have a PASSION!

Here's the thing. We all each contain 100%. If we spread that into 20% in this area, 20% in that, ... although we are able to reach all 5 areas, we won't be able to dedicated and focus 100% to ONE INDIVIDUAL AREA!

haven't u heard of Leonardo Da Vinci's "Renaissance Man" theory?

"Jack of all traits.. master of none."



That's the most common mistake kids make on their college applications. They're too busy wowing colleges with so many useless junk they've done that they miss the MAIN FOCUS POINT.

fhimas88888888

AMEN TO THAT!!!!

A friend of mine was talking to another friend (we'll denote this person by as Friend B) who was saying that she (being Friend B) didn't think I was as competitive as she was because I didn't have as many ECs as she did. Well the friend that clued me into this conversation is in fact in the know, and had to stop himself from correcting this person and almost laughing.

We must think logically: is there anything about doing many things that provides distinction? Let's be realistic, most all of the competitive applicants at competitive schools have either been doing as much or more than you have (at least that's been my viewpoint). So what you need to do is stay active in things that everyone else is not. Whether that means forensics, where you're constantly getting high ranks at the nat'l tournaments, or if that means you are this piano prodigy, or if you're doing some fun research.

A friend of mine who is at the top of our class was recently rejected from Stanford. Why? Likely because of his lack of dedication to any one activity.

That same friend asked me in the beginning of our high school career if I only did activities that would help me get into college. The answer is yes and no. I do activities because I love them - I don't practice my saxophone just because I know it will be helpful when applying but rather because my alto sound is so sweet! I do speech because I find nothing better than waking up in the morning, dressing up, and competing. BUT - the things I do, I work hard at and consequently do well. The hackneyed word, 'PASSION' is really what applicants need to demonstrate on their apps.

sphairistic

My biggest problem is that I definitely do a TON of activities (probably well over 20, ranging from sports to clubs to spots on committees, etc etc) but to avoid the issue of looking like I'm spreading myself too thin, my guidance counselor discussed that in her recommendation for me, mentioning how I absolutely love being involved and the main problem I have is not having enough time to do everything. Plus, leadership roles help, I should think--I'm the founding member of my school's MUN team, plus a two year captain in Mock Trial & Math Team, two year pres in another club, etc etc.

Oh, and I'm REALLY hoping the Girl Scout thing'll put me over the edge. I've been a GS since kindergarten, and am currently working on my gold award project, which I mentioned in the "other information" part of my application.

longbreak

I started a business (2001-2004) that ultimately failed. Would this have a positive or negative impact? No bankruptcy, just out of business.

Company imported products by the container load from China to sell to dry cleaners in the DC metro area. 4-6 containers/month at a cost of $13,000-$20,000/container. 3 F/T employees, myself included, and a few temp guys I used to hire to help unload containers.

Also, what's the better of the following two:

Work 40-46/week (entry level, no leadership role, a step or two above janitor)
Taekwondo 10/week (2nd dan)
Maintaining 4.0

or

Same as above but forgo work for more EC's.

The easy answer would probably be to find a job that has a leadership role. The problem is that there isn't much choice out there that offers consistent hours during the graveyard shift.

kevster1001

what a clever response, stressed0ut. I second that.

eternitygoddess

I HATE the @#!^#%& e.c.'s. I have everything EXCEPT for the e.c.'s.

I wish colleges could just accept that some people don't have the passion or enthusiasm to spend hundreds of hours 'giving back to the community'.

fhimas88888888

Sorry - I've got a friend - he's got EVERYTHING except for the ECs, denied from Stanford early. Pick it up gurrrrl!

You see, it's the enthusiasm colleges want - it's just that enthusiasm is not very quantifiable. What is quantifiable is awards and .... (awkward pause) .... stuff.

darkhope

best ec for top tier colleges...varsity football

Northstarmom

"I wish colleges could just accept that some people don't have the passion or enthusiasm to spend hundreds of hours 'giving back to the community'"

You've got your wish: Most colleges in the country don't pay that much attention to ECs. Instead, they select students based on grades, scores and coursework. This particularly is true for public universities, including those that are among the country's top universities.

It's only places like HPYS -- that have an overabundance of highly qualified applicants -- who weigh ECs heavily as part of the application process. That's because such colleges have so many highly qualified applicants that the colleges can select people based on creating a well rounded, active campus. Such colleges definitely want students who'll give back to the campus and local community, and after college will be active, involved alumni, too.

Space10045

gone2gofish

I completely disagree with you. I myself am an eagle scout and do not agree that Eagle Scouts should be scrutinized, rather than be looked at as one step above the rest.

You complain that some younger scouts have built benches. I myself made benches. Yet, I do NOT feel that I shorted my duties at all. I developed the idea (after researching different styles of benches) and typed up the report and estimated the cost, I then planned and organized a fund-raiser to pay for the project and contacted 5 different lumber companies to find if they would offer any sort of assistance. After fund-raising and obtaining the materials a friend and I pre-cut all the wood in my garage. I then got a number of scouts and adults in my troop to assist in the construction. One morning in March everyone got together and i divided the scouts into two seperate teams. I taught them both how to construct the benches (3 each) and throughout the day went back and forth helping and encouraging my volunteers. Afterwards I created a program to add all hours (I kept track in a log all along) and typed up the concluding report after writing several thank you letters.

I did all of that with no parental involvement. You can "build benches" and still put a lot of work in. I put in over 50 hours of my time for my project (not exxagerated).

Ultimately, what other EC presents an award that is the result of over 5 years (at least) of dedication that involves leadership, service, dedication, integrity, and teamwork. An Eagle Scout does not need to be scrutinized...any Scout that has gotten through their Board of Review and been charged has earned the rank that they wear. Respect your brothers, they deserve it.

8dbordel

I know colleges look for leadership in ECs and would rather see dedication to a couple ECs than just adding ECs for the sake of having them.

I have a question in terms of religious activities in relation to religious affiliated schools. Here are some of my ECs from my church:

Eucharistic Minister at Holy Cross Church (Roman Catholic Church)
Youth Group Coordinator at " "
Choir Member at " "
Receiver of the Holy Oils for church at county ceremony
Confirmation Candidate at " "
Worked Full Time Summer Job in Office at " "

So I'm pretty dedicated at my church and always put in extra time doing things. Would having a lot of dedication and ECs at my church give me an upper hand at religious affiliated schools (Notre Dame, Boston College, Georgetown, Villanova, Providence, etc.)?

[Sorry if this is a really bad post! eek!]