Be honest...how bad/mediocre are my EC's?

Applying to College
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<p>I moved in the middle of my junior year and I am afraid that my EC's will suffer because of this. I am now going into my senior year not knowing the community that well or where I can volunteer. My new school had completely different clubs so I couldn't continue certain clubs I did before. I am applying to UNC Chapel Hill (EA, in-state) and a few reach schools. But I was wondering if they (meaning the top 30 schools) might be out of my league? Be as honest as you like.</p>

<p>Choir Council Historian-11 This is an application accepted position. I was responsible for creating art and posters to promote the choir program. The whole council were responsible for multiple clean-up activities and the job required long hours to prepare for the concerts/activities. Met at least for an hour a week, much more around concert time.</p>

<p>Lettered in Choir 10-My school had an opportunity like varsity letters to letter in choir. You had to go above and beyond to get such a recognition such as trying out for All State show.</p>

<p>Art Teacher (Volunteering) Sounds of Community Kids 10,11- Every Wednesday I, along with co-art teachers, would plan an art lesson and teach it to elementary students for an hour. </p>

<p>Taking voice lessons since 10th grade. Been in advanced choirs at my school since 10th grade year. They count as honors credit 11 and 12th grade years. </p>

<p>I am going to start an Arts Council (Club) at my new school because it doesn't have many programs that support the arts. I guess I will also be president for the time being.</p>

<p>Academically Lettered-9,10,11 Needed high GPA or rank points to receive an award</p>

<p>NC Girls State Representative-only a few chosen from my school and only about 250 in the state. Needed to be in the top 10% of your class.
-Selected to participate in the talent show
-Elected reflections chair (responsible for organizing the city skit at the end of the week)</p>

<p>NHS-11,12
Student Ambassador for my High School (First year it's running)-12
Student Council elected Representative-12</p>

<p>Glee Club-12
SAT 1800+ Club-12
Key Club-10, might participate again here at my new school
Ecology Club-11,12
HOSA-12
Geometry Math Award (School)-9</p>

<p>Any last minute suggestions or comments? I tired to focus my EC's on arts because that's my passion. I like to be involved and I have more opportunities at my new school, so that is why I am showing so many "joined" clubs my senior year. Does that look bad? I will probably participate anyway, but should I include them in my application? Any thoughts would be helpful thank you in advance.</p>

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<p>This is too long isn’t it…dang it -__-</p>

3

<p>I think these are good! You seem to like art/singing, so I would focus on that. I wouldn’t necessarily include every club you joined senior year (it might come off as trying to pad you application), but if they meant something to you, then go for it :).</p>

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<p>I think you are right…I don’t want to come off as someone trying to pack on the ECs their last year. I think I will keep the art related ones and Hosa because I hope to pursue a medical career. Thanks for your input!!</p>

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<p>Any other thoughts?</p>

6

<p>I think your ECs are fine. Good luck!</p>

7

<p>I agree with BellLander - your ECs show a definite interest in choir and the arts. The point of ECs is to help tell the story of you - what interests you outside of classwork? I see a person who loves to sing, the arts and maybe share these with children(?)</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

8

<p>You have a nice focus and it seems like you enjoy what you’re doing. As long as you’re not aiming for Ivy League/Top 10 schools I think you’ll be fine!</p>

9

<p>Thank you! It helps to get another opinion, or in this case several. Thank you so very much</p>

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<p>They’re not bad. Emphasize the focus on art and singing on your applications.</p>

11

<p>I’m going to a new school for my senior year too! Because of this, I am going to be joining new clubs during my senior year. It shouldn’t look like I’m padding my resume. I’m just replacing all the ECs I used to be involved in with similar new ECs. I would suggest that you list the new clubs. </p>

<p>Don’t worry too much about your ECs. What is done is done. If there are a few top 30 schools you like, apply to them. Just make sure that you apply to varied colleges. Not only the most selective ones.</p>

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<p>Which is actually what comes through. They are fine. Do what interests you - don’t dilute what you are passionate about. You don’t need a ton.</p>

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<p>It’s refreshing to read EC’s that sound genuine as compared to someone with Ph.D parents who have had a life scripted for them. I think that you’re good to go. the EC’s by themselves will not stop you,</p>

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<p>Music and art are excellent ECs, even for the most selective colleges. You should follow your instincts and concentrate on those two. That’s all you need. Don’t water down the impact with incidentals, like Key Club and SAT Club. </p>

<p>I’d suggest that you put together separate packages for both of your areas of interest. These could include
An application supplement – portfolio for art, performance recording for music
A resume that lists your accomplishments, awards, classes, related travel opportunities, teaching experience
Recommendation from a mentor or instructor
1 (or 2 maximum) media articles about you</p>

<p>Make sure your other recommendations mention your involvement. Your essays might (indirectly) emphasize how music and art are important to you.</p>

15

<p>I join you and KeDIX1414 in the “new school senior year” club. I also don’t know how my EC’s are going to work out next year - for example, I might not be able to participate in clubs like Quiz Bowl that I have been involved with since the 6th grade, which would definitely be very disappointing for me. </p>

<p>On the Common App, students who have moved secondary schools are required to write something quick about the reason for this and how it affected their education. I think I am going to use this section to mention how my EC’s were affected. I can explain that certain clubs were new to me senior year because they had not been offered at my previous school, which would explain to them why you have some new EC’s senior year. I am going to also explain that my new school doesn’t offer certain clubs that had been very important to me before the move, which is why some of them will drop off after 11th grade. In my case, my classes are going to get kind of screwed up as well, so I’m going to use that section to explain that also. </p>

<p>If you really take advantage of this essay, I think colleges will completely understand why your ECs have a massive shift midway through Junior year. Your ECs are actually pretty good, since they have a definite focus. As momrath mentioned, don’t mention the SAT Club or Key Club. </p>

<p>Good luck! This is a really tough situation to move at the end of High School, and it has me panicking a bit as well, but I’m sure everything will be fine in the end :)</p>

16

<p>I didn’t know there was a section to write about the reason for moving and how impacted you. That’s good to know, I’ll look for that, thanks! All these suggestions really help, I think I will probably leave out SAT club and key club they seem a little out of place. Good luck to everyone else who mentioned they moved in the last year or so of high school, I guess we are the same boat. I have some safety schools and match schools that are not in the top thirty I just wanted to see if it is worth the application fee to apply to some of the other top school I had in mind. I know the admissions process can’t be certain but I hope they can see that I did things I actually was passionate about. Thank you all!!!</p>