Are my ECs up to snuff?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Someone once told me that I lack leadership positions. But at my school, there aren't a whole lotta clubs, and the ones that exist are often run by teachers, not students. So there aren't any leadership positions to be had anyway. For example, my school newspaper is not only off-limits to non-seniors, but also the senior editor is a teacher, not a student. The students are all writers. If you scroll through our yearbook, there's pages dedicated to clubs, but there's no hierarchal structure, it's just a bunch of like-minded kids coming together. I'm wondering if anybody else's school is like that. But anyway, here are my ECs:</p>

<p>Football (played for two and a half years, will finish as a senior... we practice 2.5 hours every school day, games on weekends, and year-long training)</p>

<p>Band (since grade 9, I've been the hornist for the concert band... students can join jazz band in grade 10, and in that band, I play the piano)</p>

<p>Literary circle (my English teacher made a small literary club for about 6 of us... we meet once a week, discussing books and sharing our works)</p>

<p>Film Festival (I came up with this idea, and I'm the chief organizer behind what will be our school's first ever film festival, coming this May or June... we don't have a drama program so I thought this would compensate for it) </p>

<p>Piano (took lessons for a few years, achieved a high level of certification, a few meaningless trophies along the way)</p>

<p>Volunteer at nursing home (I help those in wheelchairs play bingo every Saturday)</p>

<p>Well, those are my ECs, and I'm wondering what they look like to others.</p>

2

<p>"Film Festival (I came up with this idea, and I'm the chief organizer behind what will be our school's first ever film festival, coming this May or June... we don't have a drama program so I thought this would compensate for it) </p>

<p>"</p>

<p>This is your most impressive EC because it shows leadership and creativity. It also shows that you are a proactive person since you saw a need and then met it.</p>

<p>My suggestion is to highlight this in your essays and interviews, and get one of your references to discuss your role in creating and organizing this event.</p>

<p>If you can follow up with the festival by having some other events or even arranging a drama workshop, that would add to the impressiveness of your accomplishments.</p>

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<p>Northstarmom,
I'm applying to UVa as a transfer student from UMD. My gpa isn't great (3.65), but I think it's competitive, at least I'm hoping that it is. My EC's are probably my best asset. I have held leadership positions since a sophomore in HS and served as junior class president and student body president my senior year. Here at UMD, I am also holding leadership positions, such as president of the student council for my program, along with being an ambassador. Can you tell me how much EC's really mean to admissions?</p>

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<p>Katt,
I'm sorry, but I don't know much about transfer admissions, which can differ from admissions policies for high school seniors. You might try the transfer section of CC and of U Va. and also try using a search engine to see if you can get general info about how transfers are evaluated.</p>

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<p>Northstarmom, thanks for your reply. </p>

<p>bump?</p>

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<p>Hmm... nothing too special except for that Film Festival, in my opinion.</p>

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<p>Do you think it's sub-standard, or average? What do you think will boost it? There are not that many clubs at my school, and I've already created one with the film festival.</p>

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<p>Just do more things with the film club. Have meetings discussing films, invite in a screenwriter or college film prof to talk about films. Make it a more than one-time event. That's what colleges like to see --- depth of involvement. You don't need a lot of different ECs. Run with one if that's one that you are very interested in.</p>

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<p>Thanks, for your reply. Coincidentally, I was also thinking of bringing in a local filmmaker to either guest speak at the festival, or perhaps just drop by in a meeting.</p>

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<p>It's the "passion thing", nbachris2788 - the ultraselective schools tend to look for someone who brings a passion to their pursuits (as opposed to serial club joiners). You are well on your way with your film activity, just find creative ways to build on that. As Northstarmom suggests, it would be good if one of your references could describe your efforts and success in this area. This will give the reference something to say beyond "nbachris is a hard worker" and will provide some third-party credibility to your claims.</p>

<p>Overall this is a good example of how to cope with "the ECs at my schools suck" problem - starting something on your own shows passion, creativity, and leadership, plus you get to do something you enjoy (even though it may be hard work at times).</p>

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<p>It's good...better than mine</p>