Are my EC's too broad/not broad enough?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>Dear past/present/future Columbians,</p>

<p>At the moment, I'm a HS freshman who is rather enamored with Columbia. I have plenty of reasons, but I'll save those for my 'Why Columbia.' ;) I've also occasionally come under scrutiny for being so interested in college at a rather young age, but I see no use in holding back from starting to try to make myself as competitive of an applicant as I possibly can.</p>

<p>So, with all that aside, I'm fairly confident in most of what will become my application. I have good grades in the toughest classes available at a very rigorous school, likely rank in the top 1%-2% of my class, and tend to test well. I am trying to build a rapport with a couple alumni/alumnae, faculty members, and academic administrators who I'm lucky enough to have as relatives, family friends, and friends of friends. I've even gone as far as jotting down ideas for essays.</p>

<p>However, I don't know if my set of extracurriculars is coherent enough. Before I proceed, I want to say that I truly am passionate about all of my activities. Anyhow, the list is as follows:[ul]
[<em>] Photojournalism & journalism
[</em>] News editor, staff photographer--school newspaper
[<em>] Staff photographer--school yearbook
[</em>] Contribute photos of school events to school website
[<em>] Trying to start selling sports/theater photos to parents
[</em>] Have had photos featured in the Chicago Tribune, including one which took up half of the front page of the 2nd section of a Sunday paper and one on the Trib's website which was of Butler Library
[li]Have done occasional work as a photography assistant for various commercial photographers & photojournalists</p>[/li]
<h2>[li] Currently planning to launch an online alternative newspaper/features publication, partially modeled on Columbia's BWOG</h2>[/li]
<p>[<em>] Politics
[</em>] Member--HS Young Democrats, could receive leadership position as early as sophomore or junior year
[<em>] Member/club photographer--Global activism club, will likely not continue active membership as upperclassman
[</em>] Have worked occasionally for local politicians (setting up fundraisers, phonebanking, canvassing, etc.)</p>

<h2>[li] Currently applying for summer internship w/ local Congressional candidate, could get position as campaign photographer</h2>[/li]
<p>[<em>]Music
[</em>] Will have played double bass for 8 years by senior year
[<em>] Principal double bassist--freshman orchestra
[</em>] Only double bassist in pit orchestra for one of school's annual musicals
[li] Will either be principal double bassist of intermediate orchestra or section player in most elite orchestra next year</p>[/li]
<h2>[li] Received distinction as local chamber music festival</h2>[/li]
<p>[<em>] Misc. Activities
[</em>] One of 8 Latin students ( out of ~250) to qualify for Illinois Junior Classical League State Latin Contest
[<em>] Took National Latin Exam, awaiting results, likely received either silver or gold medal
[</em>] Trying to start an interfaith dialogue group about philosophy & theology for HS students (I was raised completely interfaith, attending both synagogue, church, and an interfaith sunday school regularly. This could be woven into application essays)
[/ul]</p>

<p>Once I typed that all out, I realized that my extracurricular situation actually isn't as bad as I thought it was. Anyhow, if it matters, I'd be applying as a prospective philosophy or religion major. </p>

<p>If anyone could offer advice on how to improve my extracurriculars, especially regarding the possibility of starting the online alternative newspaper and/or the interfaith dialogue group, I'd be ever so grateful. As I said, I'm trying to get the political internship for this summer, but any suggestions for future summer plans would also be appreciated.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!
-wmmk</p>

2

<p>You're a freshman?</p>

<p>Try this one-- RELAX.</p>

<p>I don't mean to say that in any harsh manner, but the truth is, it's far too early for you to worry about college. </p>

<p>If you're "truly passionate" as you describe it, about all of your activities, that's all you need. By talking about "receiving leadership position as early as ..." I can't help but to question your "passion." It seems like you're a sharp kid and as long as you continue to do what you enjoy, REGARDLESS OF leadership position or whatnot, it'll show through. If you want to do the online paper or interfaith group and you're TRULY INTERESTED in it, go ahead. Same goes for summer internships, but if you're talking about "improving your extracurriculars," that just seems like you're thinking about "adding" things that you're mildly interested in. Just know that admissions officers can tell very quickly if you're doing something to "build your resume."</p>

<p>As far as building connections, just maintain good relations with your counselors, etc. Reaching out to people for the purpose of potentially getting you in is overkill. There are better things to do with your time. (Go to a party?
Chill with friends? Pick up a hobby? etc. etc.)</p>

<p>Also.. the way you think and who you are will change so much during high school that any talk of essays is premature. </p>

<p>Why am I offering this advice?</p>

<p>I did the same damn thing 3 years ago. Different school, but same drill. If you're anything like what I was as a freshman, I know what you're thinking. "I have to do X Y Z in the next 3 years, write essays that show A B C, look up people who've gotten in and calculate that ECs I J K give me a 27% better chance of getting in." </p>

<p>I know college is a "huge thing" but please, don't make it the cause of your high school career. There are so many "intangibles" & experiences that you give up if you allow this "ultimate goal" to consume your life. I can say that I wasted at least 2 years of high school trapped in that delusion. I tried to set myself on a trajectory that would land me into school X by doing many of the same things that you're doing right now. I posted chance threads as a freshman. I looked for essay topics as a freshman. Spare yourself the trouble and enjoy high school. </p>

<p>I'll get off my soapbox now. Somebody posted something like this in one of my freshman chance threads (under a different account) and I just brushed him/her off as some grouch. Feel free to do the same but you might be the one in my position 3 years from now.</p>

3

<p>shockwaveride, I actually REALLY appreciate your post. The president of the political club just sort of happened to mention the presidency thing, although I'm not too concerned with that. By "improving," I was really referring more to adding depth to what I'm already doing than adding meaningless EC's. </p>

<p>Anyhow, that's not what was really striking about your post. I've been hearing a lot from older CC posters, parents, and even a teacher or two about the fact that I'm stressing too much about college. The fact that you've actually been in my position and are someone who apparently did rather well in the admissions game (congrats on getting into Columbia!!) stood out.</p>

<p>Thanks for giving me a dose of reality and coming from a position that encourages me to heed your advice.</p>

<p>Anyhow, I'm tired and the coherence of this post is waning quickly. Thanks again for your thoughtfulness.
-wmmk</p>

4

<p>I've been thinking a bit about this thread and realized that I probably should have been more specific in my initial question. I'm certainly not going to add activities that I'm in not interested in. I guess that I was really wondering more about whether it would be good to cut down on the breadth of my EC's and thus improve their depth.</p>

<p>I'd be just as happy to really deeply pursue 2-3 things I love as I would to pursue 4-5 things at a slightly less intense level. Thus, I admit, that the role my EC's play in admission become a deciding factor. </p>

<p>So: admissions wise, would it be smarter to keep doing what I'm doing and start both the online newspaper and the interfaith dialogue group, or to only start the newspaper and use the free time gained from not doing the dialogue group to explore my political, musical, and photographical interests more deeply? As I said, I might apply as a prospective theology major. </p>

<p>Thanks again for any advice.
-wmmk</p>

5

<p>I would like to echo shockwaveride's sentiments. You need to do what you are most passionate about; whether that's two, three, four different activities, it doesn't matter so long as you pursue them with conviction and genuine interest. You might even discover that you and your passions change considerably over the next three to four years. I know it was the case with me.</p>

<p>Unlike both you and shockwaveride, I was certainly not preoccupied with college during my freshman year of high school. Sure, I had considered it, but was honestly unsure as to whether I would even apply to an out-of-state school. That being said, I didn't plan my ECs according to what would be most impressive to an adcom. They're looking for students with diverse backgrounds and experiences, yes, but also those who have the motivation and passion to make full use of Columbia's resources. </p>

<p>I think it would be a good idea to explore some other interests. After all, you're already off to a great start and have nothing to lose. Enjoy high school while it lasts and I hope I was of some help.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the reply, CU2012!</p>

<p>I guess some posters here on CC have made it seem as though Columbia is only looking for students that are only intensely interested in one or two things. Anyhow, I truly am genuinely passionate about everything I do, but there is a bit of familial pressure to do things that will look good on an my app and such. </p>

<p>I guess this thread has just reassured me that doing what I really want to do isn't going to hurt me in the admissions process. I cannot explain how thankful I am for your kind responses!</p>