<p>I have a question about ECs that might sound elementary to some of you, but I didn't find anything about it when I searched. When colleges look at a resume or application, are they looking primarily for ECs within the school (Student Council, Choir/Band/Orchestra and other clubs)? Do those sorts of activities hold more weight to them than activities that were done in the community (for example, volunteering in a Teen Court) or independently (like music, art, writing, etc. that wasn't done within a classroom)? The reason I'm asking is that I remember seeing an application for Columbia that separated school-based ECs and "other" activities... Does that mean that community/personal involvement in something isn't as important as involvement in a formal school club?</p>
<p>I don't think the separation, like the one you mention in the Columbia app, is meant to be a difference in how they weigh the activities. I think some applications separate in-school, community, etc ECs so they can decipher between them, that's all.</p>
<p>Actually, I think that a lot of activities outside of school are valued more, just because it shows that you're committed. You usually can't just go and be a member of something outside of school; you have to take initiative.</p>
<p>journee, no activity is more or less valuable than any other on its own: the point is how far you take the activity. Student council presidents and band members are a dime a dozen in applications at selective colleges, but leadership and musical ability are still valuable traits.</p>
<p>So don't worry about whether your area of interest is under the auspecies of your high school or on an independent track. The point is to demonstrate in your application -- through essays, recommendations, supplemental packages -- what this activity means to you and how it will enable you to contribute to the campus community.</p>
<p>Colleges need leaders, musicians, artists, actors just as much as they need football players.</p>