<p>There are schools where it is an item of great interest and they may even ask it directly and want verification. If you are applying to schools like Biola, Southeastern, Brigham Young, Grove City, Liberty, Patrick Henry and others like that, it can be an item of interest. Pepperdine is a selective school that might find it something that they like to see mentioned as an item of interest. It can certainly be a stepping stone to other discourse, an essay topic, for example and interview material. </p>
<p>It also gives the admissions reader another piece of who you are. </p>
<p>Most of the time, for most colleges, it is not a big deal piece of info.</p>
<p>Adcoms are looking for EC’s that show leadership, uniqueness, and set someone apart from other applicants. I don’t know why this is so difficult for some to understand. </p>
<p>Attending church doesn’t show leadership, it’s not unique, and it does not set anyone apart from other applicants. </p>
<p>A students job as an applicant is to impress the adcoms, make them say “Okay this is the one.” There are thousands of applicants and this is a student’s chance to convince adcoms to admit them. It’s a competition.</p>
<p>Going to church will not impress any adcom. This is my point. I don’t know how else to put it. You put down EC’s that impress the adcoms to any degree and show them that you are a leader, unique, or something that sets you apart from everyone else.</p>
<p>In regards to the UC system, this is extremely important. Places like Berkeley and UCLA put a lot of emphasis on EC’s, personal statements etc. because nearly everyone applying has a high GPA so they need to eliminate applicants somehow. </p>
<p>This is nothing against going to church or anything. Like I said if you have some leadership role in a church, that could very well be a good EC because it shows leadership and it could be considered unique.</p>
<p>Speaking as the pastor that I am, I would agree completely with emprex. Simply attending worship services, but not helping to lead them, would not be a commendable EC. Singing in the choir would be, as that is contributing something to the service, showing commitment to learning and practicing the music, being part of a team.</p>
<p>Emprex, of course they are looking for leadership, but not just that. Not just some list of titles, clubs, x service hours, achievements. They want to see what sort of kid comes through, based on the sum total of activities that the kid got involved with, chooses to list and how he describes. That reflects his vision, judgment, teamwork, values, ability to give his time, try new things, sometimes play a minor role, etc. -All qualities adcoms like to see, in addition to leadership. All things that contribute to the image of a great kid. As true for a UC as for MIT. </p>
<p>You could follow a rigid formula, go for pres of this and capt of that- feel very “CC competitive,” and miss the mark, seem limited or uninspired. Some great kids do have activities that don’t have obvious “leadership” roles, but make the kid come to life on the page. It depends on what those are and how the kid pursued them. </p>
<p>You don’t always have to be perfectly unique. More often, it’s about a balance. But, the problem here is that OP hasn’t shown much get-up-and-go. Maybe it’s just this thread-? I’m hoping he/she can dig deeper and find ways to project various assets through the EC list.</p>
<p>Adcoms are looking for EC’s that show leadership, uniqueness, and set someone apart from other applicants. I don’t know why this is so difficult for some to understand. "</p>
<p>It is not so hard for me to understand the inside track you seem to have on what adcoms are looking for, but that wasn’t the question. Some people find themselves applying for schools, including UC’s, with a different perspective. They do what they do, regardless of what it means to adcoms. I think you are saying don’t write down things that won’t impress people. I get it, but if I remember correctly, there is a spot for EC’s, months participated, hours spent, and positions held, but I didn’t think the application wouldn’t accept answers that did not include leadership. Then again, I haven’t looked at a UC application since class of 2011.</p>
<p>BTW, emprex, I am not disagreeing with the message; “dress it up”, “use something else if you can”. I think I am responding to your tone, which seems a little condescending.</p>
<p>OP has already realized that he/she DOES do more than just show up. The next step is crafting the description to make it sound as good as possible while still being accurate.</p>
<p>Folks, some students don’t have a lot of “leadership” or other impressive ECs. They have what they have. They still need to figure out how to put the best foot forward.</p>
<p>I admit, it’s pretty rare that I really think about a post after I’ve commented – but this is one of those exceptions.</p>
<p>IF a student had the usual range of ECs (e.g., President of this Club, member of that team, etc) then I see nothing wrong with listing regular church attendance on the applications, and can’t think of a better place than ECs.</p>
<p>While I don’t think it would be helpful if this were the only activity, if it were one of many range, it does provide information as to who the student is. At many religious-oriented colleges it would be a big help.</p>