I want an honest outlook on my EC’s, I’ve seen students here with tons of EC’s when looking at ‘What are My Chances?’ forums, will the inconsistency/lack of more leadership roles hurt my chances? Thank you.
Muslim Club (9th & 12th)
Cambodian-Thai Club (9th & 12th)
Cross Country (10th & 12th)
Choir (10th, 11th & 12th)
Lacrosse (10th)
ASM : Group Leader (11th)
Student Council: Student Relations Committee (11th & 12th)
NHS (11th & 12th)
High Jump Chicago: TA (11th & 12th)
Journalism: Writer (12th)
Tree House Humane Society: Volunteer (12th)
Muslim Community Center Youth Council (12th)
Those ECs look fine! If you’re worried about the ECs with 1-year involvement, consider just not listing them on your application.
What are examples of colleges you are considering?
My question would be about leadership positions and any state/regional/district type awards. I’d say that my daughter’s Ecs were similar to yours (band, yearbook, Orchesis, ecology club, literary magazine), but she was president/editor of three of those clubs, officer in a fourth, and district honors in two. If you can, step up and put your mark on the ECs that you’re most passionate about now that you’re a senior.
Well…I’m considering Middlebury, Denison, Northwestern to name a few, though NW and Midd are reaches for me
Would state ranking for choir count? We got a Division I/Superior ranking for the IHSA choir competitions.
You can look at the common data set for these and other schools to see what they say about how important ECs are to them. Middlebury, for example, chooses the top category of “very important”
The question about impressive EC’s comes up regularly on the forum. There is a thread with several posts by Northstarmom, a Ivy alum interviewer, about what constitutes impressive ECs from the point of view of the most selective colleges. The post is at The post is at [“Those ECs are weak…”- So what’s good?]("Those ECs are weak...."- So what's good? - #3 by Northstarmom - Chance Me / Match Me! - College Confidential Forums)
As you will see from that link, at the most selective colleges they are looking for depth more than just participation. Stanford, for example, writes on their website
Which is a problem for you because a lot of what you’ve done is “member of this, took part in that.” Not exactly the leadership or achievement that the most selective colleges look for. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t apply, you’ll never know unless you try. But be sure to spend more time thinking about matches and especially a great safety.
@sliverglacex4 Sure, that shows involvement in an EC at a somewhat higher level. Being part of an excellent ensemble is better than being part of a mediocre one. Are you in Illinois? (We are, too.) There are other opportunities for participating in interscholastic competitions here. Looking at your ECs, for example, made me remember that my daughter was in some kind of journalism/writing competition her senior year—she even placed in sectionals for “infographics.” (It wasn’t a big deal, but it was an interesting way to spend a Saturday.) Taking advantage of opportunities like that, in activities that are fun and fulfilling for you, shows that you do more than just show up for a meeting every other week or so.
The thing is that you want your ECs to help tell the story of who you are. If you’re involved in ECs that excite you and you seek out ways to make the things that you do outside of the classroom meaningful, you have a more coherent message to communicate to admissions committees.
That was mostly what I was afraid of, with my lack of leadership positions, especially with those colleges I named being big on leadership positions…but an applicant has to be well-rounded right? Thank you, I really apperaite the feedback!
Yeah, I am in IL and I mentioned journalism since I’ll be taking that class next year and we’d have to write for our school newspaper. I’ll find some ways to be more involved with my EC’s and ‘strengthen’ myself as an applicant, thank you!
It would count for sure!! Any honors look good to colleges!