maddya333, doesn’t a 1000 word essay seem a bit on the long side? Even if the topic is really interesting…I feel like closer to the word recommendation is better isn’t it, or are kids at your school writing longer essays?
I did that..just hope it works
My history with school has been horrible, I graduated from high school years after I should have, and I never made a serious attempt at school unitl recently. I havent been involved in any extra circular activities since I stopped working a little over a year ago so that I could focus heavily on school. I had 3 years of sales experience and was very passionate about it. I was an assistant sales manager for a year and only decided to go back to school after my dad passed from cancer and me making the decision to go back to school just weeks before he passed. I still love sales and working with people, and its what I would like to continue doing after I graduate. I read sales books as well as other business related books, and try to mentor any of my friends who are in a sales related positions. The problem with this is that I feel no matter how passionate I am about sales in my essay, the adcom might think I am trying to tell them what I think they want to hear instead of how I truly feel. BTW, if everything goes according to plan, I hope to transfer out of community college with a 3.5-3.6.
Im kind of answering my own question here, but I feel the best approach is to talk about how sales transformed my outlook on life, it helped me discover my strengths when I had no idea what what they were. It gave me a sense of direction when I had nothing else to guide me, and I learned people skills that cannot be taught any other way other than interacting with people. I learned more about life in those 3 years, than at any other point of my life. The reason I went back to school is so I would have more options available as I progress in my career, and while I am doing it for myself more than anything else, I feel like it would be a nice way to pay tribute to my dad who worked so hard to give me a better future. (This would be a very short version of the essay, of course I would talk about specifics to show HOW these things changed my perspectives and outlook on life.)
If anybody would like to critique me, I would appreciate any input or feedback.
ok I’m an eagle scout, vigil honor, A-B student, varsity lacrosse player, member of multiple clubs including one that I founded, and in jazz band with a 530 CR, 410 M, 480 W.
will I even be considered to go to a regular school?
or am I worthless to colleges?
for one thing, your user name could be a little more creative - just kidding. 
that was very helpful.
i’m a junior and i dont think i have impressive EC’s and i need some help. i have always wanted to volunteer at a hospital cuz i think i’m pretty good and patient with ill and old people. could you guys give me ideas about things i can get involved in outside school?
and i have a wild passion for indian cinema, music and food. but i dont have an activity to complement that so can i still talk about it? i’m really confused.
and another question; does work experience enhance our application?
please help, thank you
@musiclover- If you want to volunteer in a hospital, go volunteer at a hospital! My school has an “internship coordinator” (really just a GC with an extra title, but still)–see if your school has any way to help you find an internship. You may even get credit for it! Other, related ECs, would be centered around volunteering and medicine. Join HOSA if your school has it (or start it!), join a volunteering-centric club, etc.
As far as Indian culture goes, you’re allowed to discuss it in an interview or an essay, but unless you are involved in official organizations or dance or something it’s not technically an EC.
And work experience is definitely looked upon favorably! It demonstrates hard work and responsibility.
I’m planning to list my state positions under work experience (I’m designated an employee by state law), but I want to indicate it’s not just an “isn’t-it-so-cute-to-a-high-school-student-working-in-government?” position. Would it be frowned upon for me to list my hourly/daily income? I’m afraid it might exceed what the admissions officers make. =/ If it makes any difference, my parents didn’t use any connects and we have an EFC of $0.
Great post!
That is true. But it is very subjective. What if they do not knpw much about the specific art/musical instrument. How do they appriciate the effort?
My son is playing an Indian instrument from very young age-total 12 years… That will not count as EC??
^It definitely will! But it will likely not have much of an effect on admissions unless he has been involved in competitions or somehow integrated it into community service by playing at nursing homes, etc.
eternity_2005, I am a sophomore in highschool in New Hampshire. I have a 4.0 and have already scored above 1900 on my SAT’s. I play golf and track, and played baseball, basketball, and football for 8 years. I have had a job for almost two years at the same place, where I am the only employee and I am greatly depended on. I am in an NPO called Student to Student, a fundraiser in our school to help underpriveleged kids in Africa. We do great work and I am really into it, but this is my question. Is it enough? I have always had and do still have a huge interest in international business and economics, and that is what I definitely plan to study in college. I am currently looking at UPenn (Undergrad at Wharton) or Princeton. I want to know if you can shed some light on other things that I could get involved in to make me a more attractive candidate to be accepted to those types of schools. I have often heard that leadership is a quality sought out, but how can I show it? Thanks a lot and sorry this post was so long! Just reply or email me at <a href="mailto:jeff.soxfan@gmail.com">jeff.soxfan@gmail.com</a>
Would starting a business count as an EC? I have start two businesses, one with my dad and one with a friend of mine. They’re both going strong. I’ve done other community services as well, so which one would you guys recommend talking about? Also, does the EC have to be local? or even in the US? I’m planning on organizing and teaching an ESL class at an elementary school in a foreign country this summer. I would appreciated any advice. Thanks
EXCELLENT post!
Just wondering, would running a marathon be able to count as an extracurricular or at least something that you would put on your application?
Thanks (:
Yes, if you place.
Some might say you can put it on an application if running marathons is a regular activity for you and you have a pretty good time-record.
does band count as a major EC to put in college apps?
^ Absolutely.
Would restoring/working on cars and other motorized things count as an EC? I have 250+ hours of doing this and it is something i enjoy doing, but it is in no way connected to helping the community etc. etc. so does it count? Also I would like to be an engineer so would this sort of thing maybe be beneficial when applying to an engineering program?