<p>Let’s make a list of those ECs that, let’s all be honest, are little more than padding ECs.</p>
<ol>
<li>Student Government</li>
<li>Key Club
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.</li>
</ol>
<p>Please add to the list.</p>
<p>Neither of those are “padding ECs.” It’s how you treat an EC, not what it is. This also barely pertains to college admissions. You’re dumb.</p>
<p>Calling it now: ugotserved is a Key Clubbing, Student Body president.</p>
<p>I agree that everything depends how far you’ve taken it. For all that matters, any EC can be pure padding if you just enlist as a member and never do anything.</p>
<p>But even then, there are some clubs that lend themselves to said padding more easily than other clubs. </p>
<p>I would include NHS/CSF/foreign language honor societies on that list.</p>
<p>Some of the above, if taken seriously, can definitely be legitimate ECs. However, I’ll add leadership programs (those 2 day long trips that cost $3000) because there is no other way to describe them other than resume padding. It’s buying leadership qualifications because you didn’t already have any on your CV.</p>
<p>Sometimes, summer colleges are just padding. For some, they are legitimate learning experience and those kids really appreciated them but understand it won’t help them get into college. Others unfortunately spend the sometimes $10,000 and up cost because they think it will improve their chances for college.</p>
<p>Basically, (almost) anything that costs a significant amount of money should not be thought of as an EC that will increase your chances. For the kids who understand this and do it for the experiences alone, they’ll enjoy themselves and be fine. For those who thought such programs, etc would help them get into college, they’ll be sorely disappointed.</p>
<p>I have a question though. If said clubs and ECs are so obviously “padding” opportunities, why do so many students in them end up in such great places? If they were padding only then admissions reps would know given their years of experience in the matter. Not saying they are or they aren’t, and just FYI I am not in any Key Club, NHS, SBP, or any of that stuff. I think if there is the intention of leadership going into that club or EC, then it is worthwhile for the student. Otherwise it is obviously just padding. Because regardless of whether the student is just being president or some other form of leadership, they do have to put a good amount of work into it.</p>
<p>^Correlation does not imply causation.</p>
<p>Further, the validity of any of the above-listed ECs A’s “padding” entirely depends on individual context.</p>
<p>We were simply naming the one that are most prone to use as resume fluffers.</p>
<p>In our area, ‘started my own non-profit’ and ‘started my own club’ are often fluff. As an interviewer, I ask a lot of questions about these to find out how much is sizzle and how much is steak.</p>
<p>^Bingo. Whenever a student says this: I ask:" What existed before this club/program? Were you a part of it? What about yours met needs that the other didn’t?"</p>
<p>I’d rather have someone say they joined Habitat for Humanity as a Junior and had a fantastic experience rather than another “club founder”</p>
<p>I’m sad to see that many high schools treat Student Government (ASB) as a joke. At my high school the program is a lot more involved that what I’ve seen from other schools at conferences. Most of the schools in my area (with a student body of about 2,250) have over 100 people in the ASB while we have 25. I’ve actually learned many things about responsibility by being a part of it and have devoted a lot of effort towards it.</p>
<p>I’m hoping that through the personal statement or an interview I could really show this.</p>
<p>(Note that this only one of many of my ECs, some of them admittedly more padding-like).</p>
<p>Yearbook…</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I agree that it really depends on the person but what exactly does student government do? What powers does student government have? What does it actually accomplish? I have to say that at my school people just join it to make their resumes look better without actually doing anything.</p>
<p>At my school, EVERY top student uses model congress and model UN as padding ECs.</p>
<p>What you DID is important, not what what you joined. Most ECs on their own are meaningless.</p>