<p>Is it bad to start activities in your junior year? There is this one particular activity that I am very interested in... would colleges think you're just trying to pad your resume?</p>
<p>My advice: Do things because you want to, and don't worry about how it will be perceived by colleges.</p>
<p>Is there any other reason why you wouldn't do a particular activity that you are "very interested in"?</p>
<p>I'm doing it no matter what, I just wanna know if listing it on my apps is a bad idea.</p>
<p>If it's something you're truly interested in, then that will show on your application, be it through the number of hours you devote to it, through your essays, teacher recs, etc. (and colleges will realize you're doing it out of interest/'passion', and not for resume padding)</p>
<p>People grow and change in HS- and discover new things- do you think colleges don't know that?</p>
<p>I find that kids who do the same thing from 9th grade on without adding new experiences and programs come across as undaring and boring</p>
<p>I started (and restarted) many things this year (junior year.)
I joined Yearbook-- super fun. Plan on taking it next year too
I joined the Speech Team (Which is going in my school for the first time in 10 years)
and I rejoined Drama (didn't do it Soph year because it would have been impossible for my mom to take me to rehearsals. She works nights)
I started managing Girls Basketball
I'll possibly join NHS.
&& I'm continuing to manage guys track...</p>
<p>I think all the ECs I listed on my apps were started junior year.</p>
<p>I had ECs soph and frosh year, but the ones I started as a junior were just more important to me.</p>
<p>I can see that concrete jungle.. Like I did some activities freshman year but they didn't matter and I didn't continue them (because I switched schools) and wouldn't have wanted too because they ment nothing to me. </p>
<p>My English teacher is also trying to convince me to try out for cheerleading next year. If I do and I make it, I'm deff. putting that on my apps too. Even though I started it Senior year; it is a time committment, something I love, and I don't see why not to put it. Sure it isn't as big of a time commit. if I'd been doing it since freshman year, but cheerleading one year can take as much time as some tiny clubs do accumulated over a couple.</p>
<p>So I don't think it matters when you start it as much as if you love it and throw yourself into it with a passion.. But that's just my $0.02 and I am not an expert or even in college so!</p>
<p>Definitely join... I think as long as you can show how you are very interested in it and how it's affected you, that's what really counts. I joined a club junior year and loved it and now I'm President and it's a big part of my application.</p>
<p>Getting more involved junior year is normal, if not expected. But it also depends slightly on where you're applying. Stanford, for example, says:</p>
<p>
[quote]
During 11th grade, seek out ways to become more involved in the clubs and activities that most excite you. Assume leadership roles on specific projects or run for one of the leadership offices in the organization. Talk to your coaches or advisors about your exciting ideas for the club or team and ask if there are any other ways that you can develop your talents and interests. Remember that colleges will be less interested in what a specific club is and more interested in your specific involvement with it – colleges will want to see that you are providing creative energy and exciting leadership to the activities you most enjoy.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Stanford:</a> Applying to Stanford | Preparing for College: Grade 11</p>
<p>So, for one of the most selective universities in the country (and the world), joining a club you're interested in junior year is just fine.</p>