LAC-Bound

I find this an interesting thread, since I'll be applying to colleges next fall/winter. I, too, wonder if my ECs will do anything to make me "stand out."

My most involving activity was a project I started to help kids in Africa. Last summer, my family adopted a little girl from Ethiopia. Because I was 13 at the beginning of the adoption process, I followed along through the whole duration. While we were in the paperwork stages, I learned of an orphanage for HIV positive children from Ethiopia that survives only on volunteer work and donations, and I knew I wanted to help. I then started, in the fall of my sophomore year, a project "The Sweet Dreams Project." I collected over 200 pairs of pajamas for the kids through my brother's elementary school, which I was able to personally deliver to the orphanage when we travelled to pick up my sister (which, of course, also makes a great college essay topic!) I wanted to do much, much more with my project after that, as did the orphanage directors. I'm now spreading awareness around my town on how others can help (by giving presentations to my church's Sunday school and my high school's freshman class), and I'm going to hold a drive later in the year to collect toys or school supplies. This project qualifies at a "Senior Interest Project" at my school, so I have the opportunity to win an award for it.

In addition to this, I'm president of two clubs at my school (including the International Club, through which we're financially sponsoring an Ethiopian girl at my request), and I hold officer positions in two more (including Peervention, through which I tutor a middle school kid once a week.) I'm also employed as a babysitter and summer camp counselor at my town's YMCA, and babysit extensively for local families including my own (I have three younger siblings, including a sister who's two.) I'm not sure how impressed colleges would be by that though.

Sorry for sounding like I'm full of myself...I assure you I'm not, although I don't see any other way to get specific insight. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Please be brutally honest! (Oh, and I do NOT plan to apply to HYPS...I hardly have a slim chance at those schools!)

gandhijr23

I fundamentally think that EC's are over-rated. Colleges want to see that you have a non academic passion but doing everything from being president of the school NRA club to trying to stop gun violence shows a certain "phoniness". My advice is to choose something your good at and work hard at it. For example, the person before me had a pretty solid group of EC's, but look at what he did....mostly stuff for Ethiopa.

KHans

I was just accepted to USC, and I can guarantee it wasn't because of my GPA. Although I am a 4-year member(and leader) of many school clubs, and I have played many sports, I had ONE strong EC that I was extremely passionate about, wrote my essay about, and acquired experience about my major through. As long as you can relate how your experience with your EC will help you in the future, and how it has affected you as a person, you will be okay. Although it is great if you have performed at Carnegie Hall, there are MANY other things that colleges will look at and go "Wow, thats unique!" as well.

gouchicago

That's a misconception of astronomical proportions. HYPS see more academically qualified applicants than they can admit; ECs are a huge factor at such schools. Colleges (at least the top ones) would like to know you outside of the classroom. A 4 GPA with the toughest courseload sure is impressive, but not if your only extracurricular activity is making out with your pillow.

mercruz

Northstarmom, you have set the EC bar much too high-only reachable by the likes of the insanely over-involved. Such exclusionary tactics only leaves "under-accomplished" students feeling even more so causing a sort of downward spiral of decay. These seem like more reasonable EC's in that they are accessible to the average student if enough effort is placed. Also, one must remember that it is both depth and length of involvement more than breadth which HYPSM look at when reviewing applicants.

Outstanding EC's: President and Officer of (Insert Club/Organization). State/National Placer in Competition. Special Commendation from (Insert Club/Organization).
Excellent EC's: Officer of (Insert Club/Organization). Boys/Girls State/Camp Royal/Community Service Orientated Camp
Good EC's: Member of (Insert Club/Organization). City/Local/County Placer in Competition.

ms_perfectionist

This is kind of random, but, if you went on a TV reality show, like So you think you can dance? or American Idol, and were in the top 10, would that count as an outstanding extracurricular?

kingjoker54

Oh no it is Sanjaya

hannahtastic

I would imagine this would depend on where you're applying to school, and in what field.

I don't think Stanford's biology department would be impressed that you were an American Idol, but if you're applying to a dance program at a school I would think they'd consider SYTYCD pretty outstanding.

Gabs91

About the Eagle/Girl scout thing:
I agree to a certain degree. I have earned my Gold Award for Girl Scouts after being one for about 13 years. I worked my behind off for that award. However, some people hold just one canned food drive and fib hours so that they can recieve that award, and that is just not fair. I put so many hours into something that actually matter to me while other can just make stuff up.


By the way: my main ECs are:
-Girl Scouts. I earned my gold award by organizing baking nights at the Ronald McDonald House for other groups. The Ronald McDonald House is a place where parents and families of children stay when their child is in a hospital recieving treatment. It was great. The kids loved it.
-I go about 3 hours a week to work with kids at a under-priviledged, mostly Latino school and I do math with them. I really do love doing this because it reminds me of when I was little and I struggled so much in school, partly because I didn't understand english.
-I also take guitar lessons. I'm not really amazingly gifted or anything, it's just something that I enjoy doing. It is really time consuming though.

I also really need a job so that's probably going to be something else to add onto my list

dukie123

When I started high school (almost four years ago *wow*) my mom gave me really good advice...

(WARNING: CLICHÉ)

Don't do it if you don't want to do it.

I don't think many of you are HS Freshman. But I think more people should follow that ideal. If you do what you want to do, you're much better off. I didn't listen to my mom freshman year; I joined "Students serving seniors" and visited nursing homes. But then I ended up doing what I wanted to do... and It brought me so much more than sitting in retirement homes did. Btw I didn't even include that CS Club on my app.

By following what I wanted to do I ended up working with an autistic hockey team, coaching a beginner synchronized skating team, teaching foreign language to elementary schoolers, and more. And I got so much out of the experiences-

For example:
I now understand where my autistic brother is coming from, and it has made me respect him so much more.
Some days when I go to the special hockey practice, I feel awkward.. The girl in figure skates wearing a hockey helmet, etc... And there are days when CJ (my favorite new kid on the team) will play dead on the ice face down for forty minutes... But it all doesn't matter when he can finally shoot a puck into a net.
And when my brother is proud of me for coming to his practice... Or when a parent will come up to me after practice, thanking me for helping their child hold a hockey stick (and for giving them hope that there are good people in the world that will help their son when they won't be around)
(o gosh I'm crying) is the best feeling imaginable.

It's been completely worth every second.



And I guess, prolly mentioned previously here, Colleges just want to see you passionate about something. Because If you are passionate about something, then colleges can be pretty sure you can transfer your passion to other areas and be successful.

Make use of their expectations! Do what you want to do and go out and help the world!

lnguye02

What is RSI?

baggy999

Well I got my research paper published in Mathematical Journal,my Sat 1 scores are bad compared the top guys who post here,my Sat 2 scores are good though and my grades are very good as well and my school does not Rank,I have applied to five Ivies.I belive my chances are quite slim,is it possible for me to get in?

Determind15

for info on rsi go to the summer program section. Its a summer science program

bay-area

Does getting 1st at State DECA competition count? If anyone is curious, the event is quiz bowl

CCmmjjgg1

Im not sure about HPY, but from my experience schools like Cornell, Duke, Dartmouth, Georgetown seem to look for at least one EC that shows leadership, and at least one that reflects what you're interested in academically. Im living proof that poor ECs are overlooked if you have a high rank, standardized test scores in the schools range (for me it was 2240, which isnt great considering i have poor ECs), take time to formulate a quality essay, and interview well. Im happy and going to Cornell without having to waste half my time in HS doing ECs to try to impress colleges.