<p>Hello fellow CC'ers! One of the most difficult aspects on the Common App, for me at least, is the Activities section. There we only get 12 spots to put our EC's.
I made a list, and found that I had exactly 25 EC's that were significant. I know that adding an attached resume that simply lists 13 EC's would look slightly obnoxious and time-wasting. Thus, I decided to combine EC's to fit in the 12 slots. I did mention all of the individual activities in each slot. For example, I selected Debate/Speech from the list, and for that I put Model UN, Public Forum Debate, and Student Congress. I also listed the individual positions I held for each event in the respective box on that section. So that entire thing took up one of the 12 slots.
Another one was that for all 5 of my Music honors, I put Music: Instrumental as the activity, placed Principal Cellist and All-State Finalist for my honors and positions, and I put under the description: Cello: Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus (principal), All-District (principal), All-State, and MYSO.
Another significant one, was that I placed all 5 of my honor societies as one entry. Since I was not an officer in any of them, I simply put Member as my position, and on the description said: 5 Honor Societies: National Honor Society, Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish, and English.
Do you guys think combining like this is ok? Or would an attached resume of EC's be better?
(Btw, I DID get all 25 activities nicely in those 12 spots using this method)</p>
<p>This may just be me, but I think you would be better off just narrowing down your ECs to 12. Shoving them all in isn’t going to make them more readable, and a resume isn’t the best option either. Ideally your ECs should show something about you. Being a member in 5 different honor societies, and an officer in none, might indicate that you joined a bunch of things you didn’t care about just for the sake of your application. </p>
<p>Again, this is just my opinion, and I’m sure someone will vehemently disagree with me.</p>
<p>Wow, I am getting this a lot now. I thought it was a great idea when I did combined activities to fit in one slot, but now I am apprehensive. Then, I started to seriously consider attaching a resume. To tell you the truth, I think I became over-involved with extracurriculars. Now don’t get me wrong, I was very passionate about every single one of my activities, from music, to science competitions, to math team, to Model UN and Debate Team, and to my volunteer work. I know it’s the norm for people who put down such a wide array of activities with very little connection to be thought of as those who just go everywhere and try everything, but I feel that does not describe me accurately. I guess that’s the frustrating part of college applications. You have to sell yourself to an admissions committee that will never meet you.</p>
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<p>Oh yes, of course it is obnoxious and time-wasting. </p>
<p>That’s precisely why professional college counselors recommend it. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>Or maybe the problem is that you don’t understand what a resume is.</p>
<p>A resume is not simply a list of extra ECs. A resume should present you and ALL of your interests and awards in a coherent and easy-to-read manner.</p>
<p>I have a hard time believing that you could be actively involved in 25 activities assuming they met on a weekly basis at minimum. Unless you don’t have homework and each activity meets for a maximum of 30 minutes, I don’t see how you would have the time. </p>
<p>Regardless, I suggest choosing your 12 most important ECs and if you really feel that admissions officers won’t get a good picture of you without the other 13, include a resume.</p>