I find it very difficult to understand how one can be heavily involved in three even two or more activities.
Every college should be like MIT; providing just 5 blanks and a paragraph-long explanation to elaborate on it.
Looking at 8 or more coloumns kind of forces me to do clubs that I personally don’t think I’ll enjoy that much (eg: SGA)
I didn’t join NHS nor beta club although our school classifies as an “elite club” since you just meet once every month for few minutes. Its more of a recognition/honor I think.
Currently, I’m simply doing 5 clubs including a sport. 5 days of school days a week and people are joining 10 or more clubs. (well, there are outside of school activities and people can be double timers going to one club on the first week, and another on the second).
It just seems too much for me. You guys are robot-like.
colleges don’t penalise you for not joining many clubs despite the fact that you’ve had the opportunity right? I mean I sincerely belive that 5 is just enough and one can be very involved in them. Having 8 coloumns intimidates me.
<p>You don't have to do more than what you want - its not like you are being coerced into doing extra stuff just because other people do a million things.</p>
<p>On paper it looks like I'm really involved but you have to realize that different clubs meet at different times of the year and are busy at different times. For example... mock trial is crazy busy from like December to March but we don't meet after that. Computer programming is busy the month of March but the rest of the time we do self study. But some "clubs" require alot more... I go to meetings all around the state for student council and that's like four times a month. The I go to regional meetings, school meetings, and county meetings for the same purpose. I could fill pages with my various activities but only picked a few to highlight on my application depending on the school and it's strengths.</p>
<p>well I just forced myself to join SGA and run for secutary. its a good experience actually although it doesn't fit my personality at all.</p>
<p>gosh my heart was pumping like crazy when I stepped into the auditorium to sign up. I wonder how nervous I'd be for the speech. Well I overcame something!</p>
<p>Colleges are adept at sniffing out phony ECs (ECs with little substance that someone did just for the sake of resume padding). They would prefer someone who's only done a few things, but things that he/she has gotten really involved with and is passionate about.</p>
<p>Spartan - why do you equate number of ECs with admissions chances? You think they toss out people's apps that don't have enough lines in the EC section filled in? There are many different ways to get a college interested in you. Trust me, sheer number of ECs is not one of them.</p>
<p>I always believe that you should NEVER just have many meaningless ECs that you put on for resume padding. Simple reason: it is always better to have a smaller amount of things you are very committed to and can talk about for a good amount of time during the interview. Trust me, I've done interviews for my school and you can spot the kids who have a true spark of passion from a mile away! The ones who are merely resume padding will have one or two sentences on hand, but ask slightly off the beaten path and they're flustered. Not a good position to be in.</p>
<p>My older son had quite a short list of EC's--basically it was just Science Bowl, Boy Scouts (He made Eagle.), and various activities related to Japanese, such as hosting students, participating in Sister City activities, and spending a month in Japan. He was accepted to Stanford. It isn't the number, but the depth and the passion.</p>
<p>Everything I read here on CC and elsewhere indicates that it is the quality, not the quantity of ECs, that adcoms are interested in. They like see students who demonstrate a service commitment and leadership skills, your willingness to make a difference in this world, etc.</p>
<p>i'm perfectly aware that its quality over quantity and they prefer to see people focusing their energy in few activities. but the number of coloumns on the app. seems like they want you to focus on your passion but at the same time join 6~8 clubs. I wonder if anyone didn't fully fill the extracurricular activity coloumn and still got accepted to a college (I'm talking about Harvard or Yale where they have something like 8 spaces)</p>