<p>This question is directed towards students:
Who helps with selecting and organizing your extracurricular activities? Is it 100% your own independent efforts, or do parents have some role in helping out with finding the most advantageous programs, choosing them, and guiding you along the entire application process?</p>
<p>I do everything on my own. I find my own community activities, join my own clubs, run for officer positions, and apply for internships/summer programs/scholarships all without the aid of my parents. Now i do not mean to say they do not support me, because they have encouraged me along the entire way, but I am self-motivated, and I do things because I want to see myself successful.</p>
<p>Mostly me. Except for the part where I have to pay money and arrange travel.</p>
<p>Also, counselor/teachers.</p>
<p>Me. They sometimes provide transportation, search up cheaper hotels and pay, and talk about it once a year. Everything seems to boil down to either not thinking my extracirriculars are significant (dad) or with me as the first college student in America, not understanding how things work (mom, who asked me if I had applied to any internships - three months after the fact). I can’t really say that I’m extremely self-motivated, but I do what’s important and meaningful to me. I’ve learned years ago that if I don’t do an activity just because my parents said they wouldn’t support me, it only leads to more scolding down the road… It’s hard to please them, sigh.</p>
<p>So yay most students manage their own activities…
Unless the parent is a teacher or some other school official, it seems unlikely for them to share any EC knowledge.</p>
<p>Thank you all for responding to this survey</p>
<p>I am a parent, but will weigh in. My daughters have done all of their own school-related EC arranging (they decide what to participate in, whether to run for office, etc.). Younger one decided to study for one of the science olympiads this year, and made arrangements on her own with a teacher to help her sign up (no one has ever done that from her school before). </p>
<p>But any time there is money involved, travel arrangements, etc., I get involved. And I have to be involved in younger one’s decisions on summer programs due to her visitation schedule with her dad, whether he will share expenses, etc. I do keep an eye out for mentions of programs she might like :), but it is up to her whether to apply, get teacher recs, etc.</p>
<p>For anyone who was wondering, I also organize my community services, officer positions, and summer programs; I posted this question to determine whether the majority of students do the same…</p>
<p>I guess it all comes down to applying to the right cluster in that program, reaching the minimum age, and mustering the courage to ask instructors for additional letters of recommendation when I apply to several research internships next year(rather than investing all hope in one option).</p>