What if I don't have...

Begoner
Tue, 06 May 2008 16:53:38 +0000

Unfortunately, ECs are an integral part of the admissions process. It has nothing to do with “passion” or some other intangible quality, but colleges have researched the issue and discovered that those who actively participate and excel in a variety of activities tend to become more monetarily successful later in life and thus donate more money to their alma mater. Thus, even highly talented academics will be rejected because they don’t represent an asset insofar as it is not as profitable to accept such people. The best thing you can do is apply to a school that places a higher emphasis on academics – that tends to include state schools or international colleges (for example, in Canada, Australia, or the UK).

Personally, I’m not engaged in any ECs, either, since those who participate tend to be hyper-competitive individuals who have no interest in the club. Case in point: the president and vice-president of the chess club at my school have no idea how to actually play chess.