The Truth of EC's?

Applying to College
1

I’ve always heard that you should apply “sideways” (s/o to MIT), have a “story” going through your EC’s, and etc. I’ve always done things for my own sake, but I dont really know if my EC’s construct a “story” that most people seem to emphasize OR are just a jumble of randomness. I’m majoring in business/Econ and applying to Ivies, Stanford, UChic, and other similar caliber reach schools (yes, I do have my safeties/matches, but I want to know where my EC’s stand for my reach schools). Here are my EC’s (most of these are 3-4 years of commitment):

HS and competitive Cheerleading (I’m a guy) perform at HS rallies, football games, and competitive club performances as well. It’s been a large part of my life, and I wrote my personal transformation in my CA essay.

Started an online company - focuses on crowdfunding services, created a Kickstarter to gather funds. I’ve always had a keen interest in entrepreneurship.

Jazz w/ trumpet - played in community band, had scholarship offers from a couple of conservatories (funny story: I sent a clip to a local music professor at my local CCC to see if my playing would be sufficient enough to be sent as music supplement. He replied saying that I should consider applying to the local CCC and I’ll most likely receive a scholarship.)

Paid internship as a web designer

Internship in a business-related position (I hope that AO will see that these two internships go hand-to-hand with business, such as marketing with websites and what not)

Soccer assistant/trainer for elementary school kids for a local soccer organization - pertains to community service.

HS and competitive club soccer - won D1 championship in our district league, 1st place in another tournament with about 20-30+ teams.

Church Youth Leader - self explanatory I guess; organized bible sessions, mission trips, activity days, etc.

Key Club President - many, many significant events.

DECA VP

Investment Club President

I’m guess I’m just wondering if they seem “bland” in any way or like a pile of non-relating EC’s that don’t even portray passion from the applicant. Do some of them stand out for my reach schools?

2

Your ECs are fine. It is perfectly acceptable to be involved in a number of different activities. My D had a very broad based group of activities and had no issues getting into the colleges of her choice.

3

Your EC’s are actually pretty good. The business EC’s like DECA, web designer, starting a company, investment club pres. and etc help to support your interest in your major and show your genuine passion for it. In addition, volunteering is always good as well as your internship. Your EC’s show both leadership and motivation which is a good combo. I would say your definitely gonna be accepted at Chicago as long as you have good test scores. The other schools will be a bit up in the air and luck of the draw. I bet you’ll get into at least one or two Ivies. Keep up course rigor and see if you can take any classes at your local college if your not already. Being a male cheerleader is something that can help you to standout as well. Good luck and post your results!

4

MIT’s application consists six (or something) short-essay prompts. You are allotted only five spaces to describe your ECs.
An acceptance from MIT comes from the short-essays and you teacher recs, not from your EC list. Most colleges are far more interested in what motivated you to participate in an activity and/or what effect it has had on you.

5

Whoa there, that’s a pretty bold guarantee.

To the OP: yeah, your ECs are fine.

6

@dnstudent26 @marvin100 Thanks!

@1golfer1 I actually haven’t applied to MIT; I only referred to it because I always see people referring to MIT’s way of applying “sideways” and what not.

7

I don’t think your ECs are particularly distinctive, but most applicants’ aren’t. They are reasonably solid. You can provide more cohesion by grouping them together:

Business-related activities

  • Started an online company - focuses on crowdfunding services, created a Kickstarter to gather funds. I've always had a keen interest in entrepreneurship.
  • Paid internship as a web designer
  • Internship in a business-related position (I hope that AO will see that these two internships go hand-to-hand with business, such as marketing with websites and what not)
  • DECA VP
  • Investment Club President

Sports-related activities

  • HS and competitive Cheerleading (I'm a guy) perform at HS rallies, football games, and competitive club performances as well. It's been a large part of my life, and I wrote my personal transformation in my CA essay.
  • HS and competitive club soccer - won D1 championship in our district league, 1st place in another tournament with about 20-30+ teams.
  • Soccer assistant/trainer for elementary school kids for a local soccer organization - pertains to community service.

Music

  • Jazz w/ trumpet - played in community band, had scholarship offers from a couple of conservatories (funny story: I sent a clip to a local music professor at my local CCC to see if my playing would be sufficient enough to be sent as music supplement. He replied saying that I should consider applying to the local CCC and I'll most likely receive a scholarship.)

Service / leadership

  • Church Youth Leader - self explanatory I guess; organized bible sessions, mission trips, activity days, etc.
  • Key Club President - many, many significant events.
  • [Soccer assistant/trainer for a local youth soccer organization also overlaps here]

Your “narrative” is related to entrepreneurship and leadership. Music and athletics are side interests, but ones in which you have put a lot of time and effort and which have contributed to your overall development. That’s perfectly acceptable.

8

Sideways doesn’t mean any old story.
Most CC kids just tell us “started an online company,” without what the h that is or why you needed the kickstart. Same with web design, lots of kids build pages for a site. I’m guessing you don’t want to reveal more here, but the nature of the responsibilities matters. And how you describe them.

9

@renaissancedad Thanks!

@lookingforward Thanks, and yeah, I did describe them more in detail in my actual app.