Confused by what people mean when they say they “add up” the hours across the ECs for the common app activities to determine whether it sounds plausible.
Regardless of what number people are using as the benchmark for max hours (some say 35, some say 40 hours per week) I’m confused as to how they are adding it up.
Some activities are done across only a specific year/ summer. For instance, I have different activities in yr 9-10 that took up time as compared to the ones i switched out for 11-12, and some like summer jobs that only pertain to that time period. Wouldn’t it be obvious to admissions officers that the total hours are distributed over years/ some take up more time certain weeks than others? Why is this even a metric?
I believe what’s being said - and I’ve said it - if you list ten activities - you founded this, you intern here, you’re in band, on the jv football team and keep going and going.
If it’s legit, then great.
But you are a student..,putting ten activities and making them each sound like full time jobs, might raise a red flag.
So be accurate…and don’t overstretch to a point someone will shake their head.
I’m guessing if most have two activities they are really engaged in, that and school will take the bulk of time. Some obviously have the wherewithal to do more.
And some activities might have been one year and stopped and then another started so that happens too and is ok to list.
But many list ten current and ask which should be # 10 like there are even more.
I’d personally question myself…is this legit? If so fine, but if 1-3 are and 4-10 is you attend a monthly meeting, I’d drop them and go with 3.
I’m guessing but don’t know - that an AOs can spot the overload from a mile away and could possibly hold it against you.
I’m not an AO but it seems plausible, especially after going to a million info sessions when they note we don’t need to see 5 or 10. We want to know one or two things you showed passion for.