Activities Supplement - Personal(ity) vs Impressive

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

I’m caught between two activities for my 150-word activities supplement:

  1. My school's Philosophy Club. I was a super active member in 10th grade (when I moved to the school) and I was an officer 11th and 12th. This means organizing and leading meetings completely on my own (I mean technically I had co-presidents that weren't much help(I love them but), but I'll be tactful about this when I write, just trying to tell CC the whole truth). So this club is really my thing, (like it's my baby) and it's pretty interesting. We meet and discuss different topics and I serve as a moderator, asking questions to further the conversation. I've gotten some kids to really open up this way it's so cool. I think this essay would be interesting and different, and very, very personal. The downside is that it isn't very impressive, just a school club.
  2. Volunteering. I'm in this program with the Cleveland Clinic (1 of the top hospitals in the country) where we spend 7 hours a day 3 days a week at the hospital during the summer in various departments doing all sorts of work (help desk, cleaning beds, delivering mail etc) It's a bit selective, and I'm one of few students that did two years. I also spent one of my extra days volunteering 3 hours at another hospital (playing with kids!! yay!) Idk if this is impressive by CC standards, but it's one of the stronger things on my app (like i've decided art doesn't need explaining, i haven't done anything super weird and i might send a supplement). I'd have something to write, since I've had so many volunteer duties, and I /do/ care about my volunteer work (two summers okay and i don't even live that close to Cleveland) but It's still just volunteer work. People understand that, and regional officers would also be familiar with the programs I was in.

I really want the Philosophy Club to be featured in my app, but I wonder if it would be a mistake to not use that space for something that has some actual resume weight?

2

“I really want the Philosophy Club to be featured…”
There you go. NEVER write about or do something because you think it will impress other people.

3

I was facing the same problem when I had to write my extracurricular essay. I was torn between writing about my job at a restaurant and an award I won at a state competition. After writing drafts of both, I think I’m deciding on the job essay. Even though my award is obviously more prestigious than a job, I feel as though my job revealed more about my personality. It was also a lot easier to write–the words just flowed. I can also mention my award in a different essay, and it’s probably in a rec letter. Maybe the same thing can/will apply to you, OP?

I’d say write drafts of both and then pick which one you think represents you the best. If you’re truly passionate about the philosophy club, I believe that it’ll show through your writing. I think that as long as you focus on your growth as an individual through your activity then the essay will serve its purpose. If you’re unsure, maybe have a trusted adult (parent, counselor, teacher) read them and offer their opinions.

4

@1golfer1 Thank you, that is an important mindset.
@allista Thanks! I actually did mention an important moment from volunteering in my essay (it wasn’t the focus so it slipped my mind a little(had this dilemma even before i wrote the essay)) and I think my hours might speak a little too. I do have passion for my volunteer work, I just feel it shows less about me since it’s a common experience, even if my days were longer. I’ll still draft both, as well.