<p>Hey guys, I am a girl from California about to go on some interviews.
I was just wondering if admitting that you've been padding your resume is ever a good idea.</p>
<p>Because my sophomore year, I was definitely still under the impression that more clubs officer position=better chances (which is like semi-true though).
So I ran and managed to get 3 important officer positions for 3 clubs plus a sectional officer for FBLA.
I was SWAMPED and hated how I couldn't dedicate myself to anyone and resorted to doing the minimum sometimes when I really thought I'd do a great job.</p>
<p>So then I changed it up for my senior year and just decided to forget how it looks on an application and just do what I liked and helped with clubs when they needed help, like planning banquet and trips (I knew everyone on the officer team still).</p>
<p>I feel that I should explain what I've just said, but would it be suicidal to admit to padding resumes, especially since I still kind of did my senior year.
Is there a better way to put it?</p>
<p>I don't know why you'd mention having once had a desire to pad your resume when presumably there are many more positive things you could be focusing on such as why you selected certain organizations to focus your attention on, and what you contributed to and learned from your experiences with those organizations. </p>
<p>It's very normal for students to take a year or two or even three of trial and error before finding which organizations most interest them. Trying out a variety of things and even overextending oneself is something that many students do -- not because they're trying to pad their resumes, but because they are learning about themselves and their interests, and they're also learning that there aren't enough free hours in the week for them to do everything they might like to try.</p>
<p>I'd phrase it differently. You were searching for clubs that interested you, so it's natural that you joined a lot. You were still exploring your interests in 10th grade. But now, as a self-realized Senior you only participate in the clubs that really interest you. I wouldn't linger on it though. The fact that you were an "officer" in three clubs is not going to affect your chances much either way.</p>
<p>yes to the above two posts. As a 15 y/o you began to throw yourself whole heartedly into leadership roles and you learned that spreading yourself thin wasn't for you. With the maturity you have since achieved you are now able to focus more fully and do a better job with fewer responsibilities. That isn't even a "spin." It's the truth and admissions people are all interested in your personal growth! Best of luck!</p>
<p>Thanks all, that's seriously good advice.
I just wanted to be frank if anyone ever asked why there was such a difference between my involvement during junior year and senior year.
That's a much better to say what I wanted to say.</p>
<p>ivybound11- That reminded me...what I am afraid of is that it might lead to explaining why I took those positions in the first place.
I was definitely interested in running clubs, even loved it, if you believe me.
But I admit I was trying to pad my resume when I ran.
I've definitely changed my views 180 since then... I'm more about what I enjoy than what colleges might like, but my question was should I tell them about my change to show them that I've changed? That I'm more likely to dedicate than spread myself like I did.
My application seems so disgustingly padded that I feel a need to explain myself.</p>
<p>Don't point out your negatives! It's entirely unneccessary to bring attention to the fact that you once had more and now have less, when they probably would not have even really noticed it.</p>
<p>don't say the negatives like u were just doing it for the college apps but say you lost intrest in those activities and while you still participated in them they weren't your number 1 priority (check spelling on last word)</p>
<p>Write about how you went through a time when you had to discover what really was important to you and why it's important to you, that would be a good essay.</p>