Common App

I am currently filling out my common application, however I have a few questions about the extracurricular section. What is a realistic number of hours to have in one week during the school year? I currently have 4 clubs that I participated in during the school year that I am putting down; the rest are summer programs. I am the President of two of these clubs, one of them being the National Honor Society. I also am putting down Debate Team. The last club is a science club that I also have a leadership position in. Should I have more hours for the clubs that I am the President of? Or does that not matter? I want to be realistic however it is difficult because debate took a lot of times due to the fact that I had to write a lot of speeches and spend time researching. Thank you for your help!

Instead of worrying about what’s “realistic” and what you “should” have-- why don’t you simply average what you do have?

I understand just how intensive Debate is, as will every adcom who reads your application.

If I were to average it out it would be about 4 hrs a week for NHS and about 5-6 for Debate. I just wasn’t sure if it would look bad that I am spending less time on a club that I am the President of.

And thank you for the response!

I also was just worried because I spend a lot of time on NHS and the other clubs I do, and I don’t want admissions officers to think I am lying about the time I spend because it seems like too much.

I coached debate for 9 years-- I have a very good idea of how long it takes. So does any adcom who has ever had a debater apply.

This is your first rodeo; it’s not theirs. Be honest, and don’t sweat what the reader will think.