Hi, I’m new to CC and right now I’m looking for advice on extracurriculars. It’s almost the end of my ninth-grade year and I don’t really have any extracurriculars at all. I have a couple of small awards and that’s it.
Because of how important ECs are, does anyone have any advice or experience (I’m kind of panicking)? So many successful applicants seem to have started ECs in 9th grade. Also, there are a couple of summer opportunities open, what are some tips for solid essays and interviews?
TIA
No need to panic - in fact, many colleges don’t even track for ECs.
So - first off - what clubs are at your school that interest you - whether sports, band, theatre or just general clubs? Maybe you can try one or two next year - you want to build tenure.
How about in the community - can you walk dogs at the shelter or work at a food pantry? Or volunteer at a local museum? It needn’t be something extravagant. Simple but where you make a contribution.
Eventually maybe a summer job - once you get old enough. Grocery Store, fast food type, starbucks or dairyqueen or store like Target…it’s all good. Most have applications on line today but some in person - but again, you might be too young for a paid job. Depends on your state.
What type of summer opportunities? Essays - answer the questions, follow the rules - and have them checked/edited by at least two others. Interview tips - look the person asking the question in the eyes and make sure you answer the question.
Good luck
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There is no right or wrong EC. Seek out activities that interest you and where you feel you can make a meaningful contribution. Over the summer look for something productive to do – anything from a summer job to a program that is affordable and interesting to you is fine.
Colleges that track ECs look for students who are interested and involved in their school and/or community.
And way too early to think about essays and interviews.
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Definitely no need to panic.
Have any of your friends been involved in activities they enjoy? I think an underrated way to find activities is just to try things friends are doing.
Another thing I think people do not do enough is check out their local community centers, libraries, and so on to see what sorts of activities they are hosting. They may have some programming specifically for HS-age kids, but even better can be things not specifically for kids, but where kids are welcome. That’s a great way to find activities that will stand out from the sorts of things a million other college applicants will be doing, and to really connect with your broader community. Of course that can be a little intimidating too, but some boldness could really pay off both for your personal development and eventually for college applications.
And you can kinda combine these ideas if you have a friend willing to give some community activities a shot with you.
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Schools tend to like commitment
Doing 1 or 2 activities for more then 1 year but do something you really enjoy. If your active in high school then you might be active and part of the colleges community. That is what makes college so great. As stated, working is one of the best things you can do. All colleges hold working in high esteem. Baby sitting, cutting grass, helping neighbors with odd jobs they need help with. Starting an ebay business (with guidance from an adult). Don’t over think this part and don’t worry what others are doing. Congratulate them on finding something meaningful for them and find something that makes you tick.
No need to panic as panicking doesn’t DO anything…
Personally, (and I’m sure some in the forum will disagree), I’d say find an interest that you think will be practical (both in terms of time commitment and ability).
My perception (hence I said CC forumers can disagree) is that EC’s also need to be “targeted” – I could be wrong but you need to be “exceptional” in one of them otherwise you don’t stand out. Net, find a couple that interest you AND excel in where you think are best. One of my classmates at Penn then excelled in bowling - yup, I think that counts so long as you excel in it. Was it practical? It was for him, he enjoyed it, his family bowled all the time so he just tagged along and got good in it (State level).
I enjoyed the academia so I actually volunteered to research for a professor even when I was in high school. (Granted, I was an international student). Clearly he gave me a great recommendation – I don’t think t hat was “common” then, though it may be now… my 2c
I know but I will be applying to many colleges that do. Clubs are a good idea, I just have this dumb idea that I’ll never get any leadership positions and it’ll be a waste of time (many clubs are hobby-related).
I applied for a teaching job this year but didn’t get it either because they didn’t see my application or spots filled up; it really hurt since my classmate got the job.
There’s an internship open near me with a variety of roles through our local government. Thanks for the tips! I’m nervous because even if I make it to the interview stage I’m terrible at making eye contact.
Thanks, my friend and I tried this business related EC this year and I wanna continue, only issue is freshmen cannot compete at our school.
My question is how do people get such impressive extracurriculars? Like research or large leadership positions? I’m worried that because I don’t start in 9th grade in related fields those opportunities will never be an option in high school.
I mean I have a few random niche hobbies. I’de love to volunteer research, any tips on reaching out?
You don’t need to be a listed leader. How many in society do you think really are? You should focus on tenure and impact. Walking dogs at the shelter - that’s impact. Eventually you move up to helping them get adopted. Having a job brining carts in from the parking lot - that’s impact.
You are in 9th grade. Honestly, you have no idea where you’ll be applying but the tips I gave are to help set you up to apply to a good college, whether they want to see ECs or not…
You are talking about leadership and other things. They are not relevant. You are just starting out.
Define teaching job. You are in the 9th grade.
Don’t worry about others. Some embellish or stretch the truth (not good) Some spend 5 minutes, doing little at a club and claim it - they are quantity vs. quality.
Focus on quality - and most important, focus on you. It’s not a race. You don’t get more points for having more.
You get points for contributing.
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Plenty of people start things in 10th and work up by the time they are applying.
In general, though, I agree you should focus less on individual badges of success and more on actually meaningful activities. That is a better use of your next few years, and then colleges know that too, and do not necessarily prefer the people with a lot of badges that appear to only be meaningful to the applicant because they are supposedly good for college.
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Student tutoring job to teach younger kids, basically minimum wage TA position but I really wanted it.
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Please slow down. It’s April. No one expects you to have a jam packed summer with internships at the age of 14. What are the essays for? Are you interviewing for a job?
Having a couple of small awards as a 9th grader means you are already ahead of most others.
Participate in something this summer that interests you. ECs are only important to some colleges, not all. And you shouldn’t be engaging in stuff you don’t enjoy just for the sake of applying to college in a few years.
Edit, your tutoring job is a great activity, especially because you say you really wanted it. So just do things you really want to do. Everything else will fall into place @dinonuggey
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There’s 3 more years…
Starting in Fall, get in 1-2 clubs of interest.
This summer, see if there’s something local of interest - there’s many service activities out there.
You’re going to be fine.
PS - if you want to work with young kids, find your local boys/girls club for volunteer activities.
And most importantly - focus on your academics.
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Try to cold email(?) some professors if you are “brave” enough or if possible, see if you know anyone in a university that can refer you to chit chat with another prof or what not - take it from there…
in my days, when email was still inexistent, I just literally visited the school and tried to chit chat with whoever I knew (we had joint summer programs with my high school and some universities - so inevitably knew some people in uni - whether it be staff or faculty or even registrar)
Most of my kids started working at a local garden center at 14 (had to get working papers) part time during school, full time during summers. By the time they applied to college, they were making schedules, opening and closing, and supervising younger/newer staff. They worked there for 5 - 6 years (college breaks).
Did they approach the garden center or was the garden center looking for employees?
Yeah I’m thinking of cold emailing some professors just to ask them “how to get into research”.
They approached, but it was easy after the first one was working there. My sins started during Christmas tree season, hard work but great tips. They were then asked to work the summers.