<p>For the past year, Mock Trial has been anything but fun - the coach has demanded us to be at practices three times a week (when many of us have other obligations), many of the seniors made fun of each other, and team members talked behind each other's backs. I noticed this at the beginning of the school year but did not quit because I was under the impression they needed me. Instead, I decided to focus on my other ECs but I still remained a very much active member on the Mock Trial team - it's just that whenever I had a conflict (whether that be extra help vs Mock Trial or Debate vs Mock Trial), I always chose the activity that wasn't Mock Trial. Simply put, I didn't feel like I was a member of the team anymore (which I had said to my classmates). I realize now that what I was doing wasn't fair (I should only do things that I can put my heat into 100%), but that's not the matter at hand anymore.
The day of a trial I had diarrhea so I didn't go to school (or obviously the trial that was that night); the team found a replacement for me at the last minute - and our team won . The next day I was told by the moderator that the team member who stood for me did an "admirable job", and because I was a nonessential component of the team , that if I didn't want to be there, I should just quit - I asked him if I could think about it but he replied that that wasn't fair, so I just quit. Their trial was the next day and they lost so now Mock trial is over for this year.
Do I have an ethical obligation to tell the colleges that I had applied to that I quit this EC, even though it was at the very end?</p>
<p>No, it’s not necessary.</p>
<p>I agree that it is not necessary to report this.</p>
<p>“Do I have an ethical obligation to tell the colleges that I had applied to that I quit this EC, even though it was at the very end?”</p>
<p>It kind of sounds like you actually quit long before the very end. Not actively participating and not showing up is essentially the same as quitting. The only difference is that someone from the Mock Trial had to go to you in order to officially hear the words come out of your mouth so they could fill your spot with someone who wanted to actively participate. </p>
<p>Based on your post, it sounds as though you all ready have an opinion on whether your actions were ethical and you want someone here to comfort you by stating that what you did wasn’t wrong. I can’t do that. Look within and be honest with yourself. </p>
<p>I doubt that the EC is going to tip the scales one way or the other in regards to an application decision. It will neither cause a rejection nor help an acceptance. In other words, it’s probably best to let this go and not bother with informing the colleges.</p>
<p>A class, you need to tell the schools, but an EC, just fleshes out your application, it isn’t going to make or break it- & besides, I know that you are going to use that newfound time and energy for good things.
:)</p>
<p>nysmile, you are completely right: I had quit long before the end but I had stuck with it because I thought I was needed. When they had won without me and I was told that I wasn’t needed I felt relieved because now I felt as though I wasn’t letting them down anymore, but that obviously wasn’t the case.
The mock trial team basically hates me now and blames me for their loss (if they had won, they would have been county champions) and this is what worries me - I’ve already received a likely letter from Columbia so it seems likely that I’ll end up at a selective institution. I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody sent in a letter to the university that I eventually matriculate at about this whole debacle (yes, the team dislikes me that much now). </p>
<p>But going back to your original post, I think that what I did was justified: honestly, that group was a bad bunch of kids. The day of the trial I had gotten into a shouting match with one of the members who said that their taunting (they made fun of freshmen who had lisps, african-americans, women… it never stopped) was camaraderie, and if I didn’t understand that I will have problems working with men later in life. I never said this in my original post because it wasn’t necessary; I thought (and still do think) that by quitting the team I was doing myself a favor (and the freshmen who are still impressionable) by not promoting behavior like that</p>
<p>I agree; you do not have to say anything to these colleges. Just use this as a learning experience. I think you should take it off your resume for future endeavors. And, kudos for standing up to these kids who were engaging in very inappropriate behavior.</p>
<p>Based on the new information in your last post, you were right in quitting the team. The behavior that you describe is terrible and I don’t understand how the teacher in charge of the group would tolerate such behavior. Where was the supervising adult when all of this was going on?</p>
<p>IMO- you should keep all of your acceptances tight-lipped. Fight the urge to announce your acceptances to anyone. When they ask about them, be honest and tell them that you want to keep the information private.</p>
<p>Your list of ECs is a list of past involvements. You do not project the involvement into the future. Your list was accurate. If any college asked for a current list of ECs (they won’t), you would omit mock trial.</p>
<p>You are well clear of this toxic group.</p>
<p>Yes. If these kids are that vindictive, keep your acceptances to yourself. Get out of there, and then you can soar.</p>
<p>I agree, no need to report it. My S quit NHS before senior year was over.</p>