<p>Yes, I'm becoming yet another of those people to ask for advice on which EC to "elaborate" on in the short answer section of the Common Application. Here are my contenders:</p>
<p>1) Literary & Art Magazine - Joined sophomore year, when I worked on staff. The next year I was promoted to Junior Editor, and now I'm Senior Editor. I'd like to talk about how our tiny staff (8 or less) manages to raise money to fund the entire project, solicit submissions, choose work for the magazine, design the layout, and publish/sell the finished product over the course of a single school year. We also sponsor two poetry slams every year (the second one was added last year). This is my major leadership role...I'm definitely an introvert by nature, but by pouring myself into the literary magazine I've found qualities I never knew I had.</p>
<p>2) Singing - At the end of 8th grade, I did something I'd never attempted before: I quit an activity that I'd been a part of for five years (orchestra) to try something I knew very little about but had always loved...singing. Despite my huge fear of singing in front of an audience, I started taking voice lessons the summer before freshman year and joined Freshman Chorus. By the end of the year, I had auditioned for (and made) the Varsity A Cappella Choir and Women's Select Choir. This year, I faced one of the biggest risks I've ever undertaken and entered as a soloist in the district solo & ensemble contest. To my surprise and delight, I wound up with a solid II rating. While I'm far from amazing at singing, I continue to work hard. In a way I'm prouder of my less than perfect but still respectable Honor II Rating than I am of my more "prestigious" writing awards, because it was one of the first times I'd made myself vulnerable, and it paid off.</p>
<p>3) Camp - For the past two summers, I've had amazing experiences at Interlochen Arts Camp as a creative writing major. I wrote more for those classes than I ever had before, and at times it was incredibly overwhelming to be around so many talented people and to feel as though I didn't belong there with them. In the end, I learned a ton about myself--about what I have to offer the world as a writer, and the unique gifts I bring to the table through my words. At the end of my second year, one of my teachers nominated me for an Interlochen Fine Arts Award, which is another recognition that is more special to me than awards that may appear more important on paper.</p>
<p>Advice? I can't choose!</p>