<p>Can I say that I have the sole responsibility of taking care of all three of my family's dogs on the extracurricular section of the common app? And would it be called a "family responsibility"?</p>
<p>I read that it is fine to also list your hobbies, so I figured that a chore that took up so much of my time would be applicable too, right? I spend probably 3-4 hours a day taking care of them since the youngest dog cannot be left alone. </p>
<p>Seriously? They would reject me for taking care of dogs? I have 9 ECs that I really think are strong and one that’s rather weak (CCD teacher for 2 hours a week for only 1 year). So I want something to replace it with. </p>
<p>Can you please elaborate on why you think it’s such a bad idea?</p>
<p>In my view, a commitment is a commitment and pets in general require a lot of responsibility to take care of, so if taking care of the dogs is your responsibility only and it takes up that much time (consistently) then I don’t see why you can’t list it. That being said, it may look a little silly listed under that category (“Family Responsibilities”) next to apps where the applicant has to work to support his/her family or help the family through financial hardship (which I’m assuming is what the other poster was getting at? Though, I have no clue). Just go with your gut, because I don’t think there are any set-in-stone guidelines for filling out an app. Rather, just presenting yourself in the way you want to be presented and as, well, yourself.
But take my opinion with a grain of salt because I am not an admissions officer and I’m only an applicant, just the same as you.</p>
<p>I have a question for you concerning the same category, though, if you don’t mind. If my father has been living/working overseas my entire high school career thus far and I have to help my mother support/raise my two younger siblings; is that appropriate to put in the activities section? It’s not really something that has an “hrs/week” vibe. Or would that be more appropriate to put in the “Additional Info” section?</p>
<p>You shouldn’t! It seems you’ve been very helpful on this thread. But thanks, I’ll post my question as a separate thread and see if anyone knows.</p>
<p>For the record, here are the expanded directions from the website (click the yellow question mark to see them): The availability of 10 fields is not intended to imply that you should list 10 activities, nor is there any expectation that you will do so. Rather, the fields are available to provide you maximum flexibility in reporting and describing your involvements outside the classroom.</p>
<p>We don’t have any pets, so I don’t know what’s required in taking care of 3 dogs. If it is taking up substantial part of your time, there is nothing wrong in listing it. This is within the same line of taking care of younger siblings or elderly relatives while parents are working. It would explain why someone doesn’t have as many ECs. Taking care of siblings/relatives/pets is a big responsibility.</p>
<p>Just a side note, my younger daughter listed reading as an EC. This may seem silly to someone, but it is her favorite past time, and it tied in nicely with her profile. She also had a long list of ECs. She had so many that she actually grouped them - Volunteer, School involvement, Ballet, Tutoring…</p>
<p>For students with family business, like a farm or store, which would require you to help out, it should be listed even if you are not getting paid for the work. Listing your ECs is to show adcoms how you are spending your time. A student who is required to work on his/her family farm before and after school would have more limited ECs than students without any family obligations.</p>