Another Extracurriculars Thread

Applying to College
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I will also be putting a copy of this on the chances forum, since I believe it is relevant there.

Foreword: This post will be mainly in reference to observations I have made on CC.

How do we determine the strength of one’s extracurriculars? Browsing through the admissions and chances forums on CC, I seem to notice a tendency for quantity to be valued over quality when it comes to extracurriculars. Those who are officers in a few clubs at their school are held in higher esteem than those who earn the rank of Eagle Scout or their Girl Scout Gold Award. I also often see that a number of simpler or minor leadership positions to be regarded more than a student who started their own business for example. From what I understand, top schools prefer a student with a “spike” versus to one who is a “jack of all trades, master of none”, yet I don’t see this attitude reflected on CC. I’m not suggesting that students focus on one interest, being well-rounded is good. I am merely stating that those who have a particularly developed extracurricular in one area are considered inferior to those that are undeveloped in a plethora.

For example, I have only two fairly strong extracurriculars: I am an Eagle Scout and I am captain and MVP of our school’s Academic League team (we are consistently among the top 5 teams in our large city area) and have set a couple of school records. I have done my share of varsity sports and am extensively involved in theatre, but these are no comparison to my main two extracurriculars. However, it seems that when compared to (for example) another student who is an officer in three different clubs, volunteers on the weekends, and is a captain for their school’s badminton team, my achievements are considered inferior.

To make myself clear, I am not saying that extracurriculars like mine are far superior, just that they seem to be often undervalued. I think this stems from a lack of comprehension of the achievements. I find it ludicrous that those who spend a few hours on the weekend at their local animal shelter and run a few meetings at lunch for their clubs should be placed above a student who successfully runs a profitable business (I know a friend of a friend who has done this and it is mind boggling to me, especially the fact that he is in high school). By the time I earned my Eagle Scout, I had completed well over 100 service hours and had handled numerous leadership projects, not including my Eagle Scout project, which totaled to about 130 hours itself.

Finally, I understand that there are those who do invest a significant amount of time in running their clubs or volunteering at local charities, animal shelters, etc. But I believe what matters most is level of commitment, which seems to be overlooked. Commitment by far is one of the most aspects of a good extracurricular.

I suggest that the CC community re-evaluate their view on extracurriculars. I am open to all thoughts and opinions, provided they are polite.

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I think most people on CC advise that quality and depth of involvement in ECs is much more important than amassing a long list of ECs.

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@happy1
I believe they do in theory. However, when it comes to actually talking about admission chances, it seems to me that those with longer lists are given better odds.

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I guess we will have to agree to disagree. I think most people recognize that admissions officers see right through a long list of unsubstantial ECs.

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@happy1
Okay! By the way, thanks for not being snarky or condescending. Although most on CC don’t stoop to insults or ad hominem attack when they face a difference in opinion, there are a number that can let a condescending tone slip into their posts. Thanks for being cool!

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It is frustrating when people can’t share different opinions in a civil manner.
And my S had 3 ECs, two of which were very in-depth, one intense so but he did tangible work for the charity, and he did just fine with that in the college process.

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oops…should read…one NOT as intense

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I totally feel you. An ec such as being an Eagle Scout is truly an honor, and I am sorry that many other people do not know what it takes to become one. Surely, many people at school can become officers of clubs just from being voted by friends in the club/popularity. Or, a club for example the national honor society at one school, may be more intense/engaged than one at a other school.
I am sure that college admissions can tell whether a student is actively working in their clubs, trying to make a difference, or if it is just a laundry list of things that are menial.
I think that we all need to stop comparing our EC’s to one another. We all have different passions, and act in different ways. A student who may be the captain of a varsity sport may have spent his whole life towards perfecting his skills. An Eagle scout may have been a boy scout for his entire life, dedicating his time to doing various of character building activities. A student who is the officer of many clubs may be doing big things in those small clubs.
It’s not up to other people to decide whether your EC’s are weak or better. Pursure your passions and take advantage of what you are doing right now.

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Like happy1, I have seen most people on CC advise that the quality and depth of ECs is much more important than than the quantity.

This statement has me scratching my head. I have read through your posts and no one has suggested that your ECs are inferior. In fact, they stated you have strong ECs. Perhaps you have read other threads and started questioning how yours will be viewed. It’s easy to become apprehensive during the college application process. I believe your ECs will be viewed as strong by anyone, including adcoms. You seem well rounded, have confidence in that.