Exactly. You pick your most important EC and write about it in the 150 word section. But you also elaborate on the FEW others (because ADCOMS like depth not breadth) in your activity sheet, which you upload. And you really don’t have a resume, that’s presumptuous. You haven’t done anything in your short life to merit a resume.
Students applying to top schools may very well have accomplishments that can’t be adequately explained on the Common App. It also allows the student to organize the information in a way that makes more sense in their individual case–perhaps including separate sections for every “type” of activity (in my case, writing, debate, and french) that organizes scattered summer camps, awards, and leadership under one umbrella heading. It may also be useful to provide a brief description of less easily understood activities or give context to an award (ie, “top 10 of 130 entrants”).
and that’s another thing. Where can I look for some good summer camps/ programs that won’t break my bank? lol
Summer programs won’t impress colleges unless they are the free, highly competitive ones like TASP and RSI. There’s a summer program board on CC that you can visit for info about programs.
As I inch closer to this process with my own kids, I’m reading more and more articles that say it really is all about quality – like this one, which cited an admissions officer at Northwestern University: [College</a> Apps 101: Quality Versus Quantity](<a href=“http://www.makeitbetter.net/family/education/422-college-apps-101-quality-versus-quantity]College”>http://www.makeitbetter.net/family/education/422-college-apps-101-quality-versus-quantity)
Definitely keep that in mind. It’s not worth breaking the bank when you’re unlikely to impress anyone by doing so. (The same applies for mission trips.)
Certainly something that kids on here need to take to heart. We can spout it all day long in the Chances forum without really believing it.
Hello there.
I am an ambitious student and I’m trying to figure out what interests me (or, as some on this forum would put it, what my “passion” is). I really want to go to an Ivy League school. I definitely have the grades (4.0 GPA) and scores (I can get a 2300+ on my SAT), but the part of my application/resume that worries me is that I don’t have very strong ECs. I haven’t really been involved in anything significant and I’ve never really been sure what has interested throughout my life. Luckily, I’m only a rising Sophomore, so I still have some time to figure it out and do something interesting/unique. I’m just having trouble finding it/stumbling upon it.
I’m trying to get involved in a research project with some professors/scientists at NYU (note the “trying to get involved”; this isn’t final/solid yet), but I’m not sure what I’d be doing and I’m open to suggestions or alternatives. I would like some help regarding how to find interesting things to do.
Thanks in advance!
If you can get a chance to do a research project with professors from universities, it would be great. Based on your ability (can score 2300 on SAT now), you should be able to achieve significantlly on the scientific research and aim at the Intel STS. A semi finialist on Intel STS would boost you chance a lot at schools like MIT and CIT. You should actively contact any professors that are willing to mentor high school students and be able to start the next summer. You will have two summers (full time) and many months and this should be enough to produce a good scientifc paper for Intel. I know many top high schools have a list of professors who are willing to help. I hope this helps.
I’m looking to start researching this year. I really don’t want to wait another 10 months! 
I also want to go star gazing and perhaps meet with some amateur (or professional) astronomers. There’s a group that meets every Saturday evening, so assuming that they’re meeting next Saturday (it is the holiday weekend), I think I’ll go… Not sure if this can turn into a super interesting activity, but I’ve always wanted to go star gazing.
^Maybe you can start an astronomy club at your school, especially if you like astronomy/astrophysics. (I’m doing this when school starts..and p.s. I want to go stargazing too!)
stef: Don’t worry about finding your passion. That’s a hell of a lot of pressure to put on yourself. Yes, some people know from age 2 that they want to write, or dance, or study animals, but those people are few and far between. I think passion is one of those buzzwords that gets thrown around very loosely, especially on CC.
Here’s a blurb from silverturtle’s SAT/Admissions advice guide that sums up my sentiments nicely:
The gist? Yes, you should be invested in a few key activities and devote your time and energies to those. But to find your life’s calling is not necessary. (Besides, Cal Newport of Study Hacks blog thinks you create passion through hard work–if you haven’t worked for it, it’s a superficial interest rather than a passion.) So don’t worry so much about exactly what it is you are spending your free time on, so long as you are spending it doing something interesting.
Hey guys! As far as clubs and such go at my school, I finally have my activities “set in stone.” As a junior, my leadership positions contain being the Vice President of Model UN and Key Club, and I am President of SADD and Interact.
I think colleges would see a leader in this, yes? I am a leader in the activities I want to pursue. Are there any comments on how they might look at this? (Be aware that these are my leadership activities, I made Varsity in a sport as a sophomore when the team only took 5 sophomores out of 50, hopefully (;]) making All-State in Choir this year, and will have volunteered (for sure…I have my hours) over 120 hours this year… as well as working.)
But I’m mainly curious how they will look at my leadership positions. This will be a challenging year for sure.
Thanks
What will you do with those leadership positions? What are your inherent responsibilities? How do you plan to bring your own initiative to the position?
Hi guys, I’m trying to find inspiration for my essays and I saw this. Thought it was kind of interesting. See, I have two main EC’s that I really love. I’m the Drum Major of the band (our band is very unique and is literally world-class…more on this to come). I’m also the editor in chief of the newspaper.
For a long time, I thought I would write about being the drum major and what that’s meant to me. It’s sparked an interest in British history too. There are two concerns I have. The first is that as I said, our band is unique and my essay is very dependent on the reader getting it. I have a hard time explaining what we do, and explaining in any detail requires pretty esoteric jargon. My other concern is that while I love British history and am most definitely going to study abroad in London (or somewhere else in the UK), my top choice programs have little to do with history, and nothing to do with British history. I get really excited about it and can have a good conversation with someone, but haven’t had success writing about it.
I’m also concerned because there are going to be thousands of other Drum Majors and even more bandos applying to schools. I wonder if it will stand out.
My other option (for comparison) is that I’ve done quite a bit of traveling throughout my life, and it’s given me a different perspective on topics that I love.
Just because of this thread, this method is now going to be used by a few hundreds.
Now i need to find a even better way to stand out!!!
What method? Do what you love and do it well? Surprisingly few people, even on CC, are willing to take this advice. They get nervous if they aren’t doing something that works towards their colege application.
I have a question: FOr extracurricular activities, do we have to produce a certificate as a proof or some other thing can be given ?
No.
10char
So the other day, I was talking to a debate buddy about refutations. I argued that a few, well-founded refutations are preferrable to a smattering of contradicting evidence; he contended that quality has a quantity of its own.
Hmm. Quality has a quantity of its own. I’m wondering if this has some sort of bearing on ECs as well. Are a few excellent, but not outstanding, ECs preferrable to one excellent one?
Discuss.
hey glassesarechic, my questions similar. im wondering if my outstanding ec compensates for the lack of learship positiions in other clubs.
so i have a really strong ec which i am a leader and founder. i also have outstanding volunteer and am a member of a top youth orchestra.
and tehn i have a bunch of clubs that i have been member of for a while, but don’t have any leadership position. is this okay?
i feel like the 3 main ecs, esp. the first show that i am really passionate about xyz but that i have maintained an interest in other stuff?