Wartsandall

^I completely agree with you. I think that as long as you portray some unique aspect about yourself, you'll be fine. If one portrays passion in their ecs and demonstrates that on their application, it will exemplify a unique individual. Personally, I think that if individuals can show that, they will be fine

its3amagain

I was wondering if I could ask for an opinion on two ECs too. I'm self-teaching mainly two languages and was wondering whether that'd count as an EC? I'm hoping to be pretty fluent by college-app time. (: I was also wondering about writing - at what point does it become an EC? When you have something published? Thanks.

Mr. A

Do you think colleges care if you start your ecs in your sophmore year and not your freshman year?

meteman

Judge these ECs for me and how much they would improve my chances at High UCs.
UCI Cosmos (State Sponsored 30 Day residential program at UC school) Computer Science
Started an Online Gaming Community made ~40000 USD in year. Paying my own way through college.

Mr. A

Anyone want to answer my question?

Wartsandall

I don't think they would care too much to be honest.
^^Also, wow! You're teaching yourself two languages? That's awesome! I would say writing would be considered an ec once you got something published. Maybe you could try the Scholastic writing competition?

its3amagain

Yep! French & Russian (: And thank you for that! I can't enter the scholastic writing competition because you have to be in a US school and there isn't an equivelant for the scholastic uk but I'll look for other writing contests to enter! Thank you. Another other opinions on whether either would count as an EC?

teskata

Yes, learning languages is great!! Have you looked for proficiency tests to show how well you really know them? You should include your studies in your essays if applicable, since it is hard to stand alone as an EC without any evidence of achievement.

its3amagain

I'm going to take either the AP test or the SAT II for French but Russian doesn't have one - any suggestions? (: And I'm pretty sure it'll feature in my essays or if not, should that be the one I expand upon in the 150 word part about an EC? Thank you!

GeekMom63

I'd use ALL the essays to either show your strengths or mitigate your perceived weaknesses. Teaching yourslf languages is DEFINITELY a strength, and if you don't focus on it SOMEWHERE it might get lost in the shuffle. I told GeekSon to try to focus on more social activities in the writing sections when possible because his app already shows the good stuff and he needs to mitigate the bad stuff.

decadence

Does anyone know if creating my own website counts as an extracurricular activity?

its3amagain

Thank you GeekMom! (: I'll definately focus on them in my essays then. And decadence, what was the website for? That'll probably change the answer a lot. Did you teach yourself programming or whatever to get it set up?

Xaari

decadence: I've listed my pursuits in web design and development as an extracurricular activity. I've been designing/coding for over five years, though, and I currently have several domains and an "empire" of seventy-five websites and counting. :P If your websites are significant - and if you spend a regular number of hours per week on them - then list the activity.

solstice21

what if i've dedicated myself so much to one EC that i don't have any time to fit anything else in? would that be understandable to college admissions people or would they just think i'm lazy? because i dance for 14+ hours every week which pretty much leaves no room for any other activities. i am part of a few school clubs, NHS, and Key Club, but i didn't do any of those things before this year (junior year) because of my busy dance schedule. if i won several regional and one national award for the dance competitions that i went to, would it make my single active EC seem a little more impressive?

Arquellania

Sophomore. Finally jumping on the EC wagon...

- Committee for the local Relay for Life (American Cancer Society)
- Committee for Operation Smile fundraiser
- Looking to chair and organize a fundraiser for PATH (transitional housing for families looking to live in shelters) with the help of NYC's Department of Homeless Services
- Journalist for my school's chapter of MSG Varsity (a new local television channel created by MSG - Madison Square Garden, specifically for high school sports)
- Student Council Executive Board
- A capella choir
- Mock Trial (Haven't made the team yet)
- Varsity Track (Haven't tried out yet)
- Applying for NEHS and NHS (probably won't make it)

Good start for ECs? I do have two more years of high school. I don't have to save the world just yet...