<p>Just from reading over everything on here, it seems like people have all these amazing, city- or state-wide ECs. How do you guys find these opportunities? I can’t seem to find anything like this in my state (Virginia). Do you create them yourself (i.e. talk to officials to start a youth council) or join existing ones? And how do you get the ideas and information to do either? Sorry if this has been addressed anywhere, I couldn’t find anything on it!</p>
<p>There are a few people who have strong connections, and whose parents make these opportunities appear. However, most students are very passionate, and if you push harder enough and long enough for something you really want, you are likely to get it. Therefore, if opportunities don’t exist, work to create them. :)</p>
<p>That’s why they got google.</p>
<p>look at the winners of the prudential spirit of community awards to get great ideas for service projects. the site lists 2 winners for every state per year…so that’s 100 ideas for an excellent ec.
look at the link for state honorees:
[2008</a> State Honorees & Distinguished Finalists](<a href=“http://spirit.prudential.com/view/page/soc/14784]2008”>http://spirit.prudential.com/view/page/soc/14784)</p>
<p>you cant find ECs in VIRGINIA? seriously?</p>
<p>community service is everywhere and anywhere.</p>
<p>with DC so close, great job internships are available.</p>
<p>and then there sports and what not.</p>
<p>ECs arnt just great. the passionate person is one that makes them great.</p>
<p>The question about impressive ECs comes up regularly. There is a thread with comments by NSM, a Ivy alum interviewer, about what constitutes impressive ECs. The post is at <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html</a></p>
<p>2 very interesting articles about ECs that stand out and how to get them (same author, different examples) are at [How</a> to Be Impressive Without an Impressive Amount of Work](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/28/the-art-of-activity-innovation-how-to-be-impressive-without-an-impressive-amount-of-work/]How”>The Art of Activity Innovation: How to Be Impressive Without an Impressive Amount of Work - Cal Newport) and [How</a> Could We Save This Ridiculously Overloaded Grind?](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/09/12/case-study-how-could-we-save-this-ridiculously-overloaded-grind/]How”>Case Study: How Could We Save This Ridiculously Overloaded Grind? - Cal Newport) Take a look at these 2 articles and I think you’ll get some ideas.</p>
<p>It’s important to follow your own interests and to create opportunities if there really aren’t clubs and other organizations that match your interests. This is what people do in the real world as well as what students do when they are passionate about their interests.</p>
<p>For instance, if you are very interested in science, but your school lacks a science fair, you could lobby the school to start participating in science fair. You could start a science club. You could contact a scientist at a nearby university ask if you could meet him/her to learn about science-oriented careers and majors. You could attend science-oriented public lectures at your local university. You could take an on-line course related to science, take science courses during the summer at your local community college, etc. You’d look for science summer programs and if your family couldn’t afford to send you, you’d get a job or find some other way of financing yourself. </p>
<p>If you were serious and passionate about science, you wouldn’t just sit back saying, “Woe is me. There’s nothing to do here that’s related to my interest.” You’d do the hard work (and it would be hard work) of finding some things to do that did relate to your interest.</p>
<p>Most people, however, aren’t passionate about anything, and at most, they may show up and fill space if there’s a convenient opportunity related to something they profess interest about. Most people, however, have no chance of getting into the top colleges that seek student who are passionate about their interests. Most people also will live dreary, boring adult lives doing whatever is easiest and convenient (such as spending their free time glued to the TV set) instead of finding or creating things that really excite them.</p>