Do these count as EC's? What exactly is an EC anyway?

Applying to College
1

<p>I’m pretty sure I don’t know exactly what an “extracurricular activity” encompasses because my understanding of it has changed so much this past year.</p>

<p>My impression was that an EC is any activity (sports, clubs, etc.) associated with your school or your community. But then I saw people listing cooking, reading, even video games and other personal activities as EC’s!</p>

<p>So, can someone go down my list of personal activities and tell me which could go on my application? (I’ve excluded my stuff like Debate, Key Club, Track & Field, etc. because I already know I can put those). But I think it’s unfair if colleges discount my passionate personal endeavors.</p>

<p>Below: EC or not an EC? Is it something I can list on my application or no? Can you guys put “Yes” or “No” for each one?</p>

<li><p>Playing guitar for 5 years. It takes a good portion of my week, and it’s something I’m really passionate about, and I have composed and written songs… BUT haven’t done any guitar-related activities with my school. Yes/No?</p></li>
<li><p>Photography. I own an online photo gallery of hundreds of my personal photos. They are what I consider symbolic photos, and I like to take pictures of scenery and landscapes and beautiful views. BUT I haven’t done any photography-related activities with my school. Yes/No?</p></li>
<li><p>Personal business (game) project. I along with a hired staff team (with me being the sole developer and owner) created an online game for kids. Yes, the game/project <em>itself</em> is childish, but it was the only way I could get real “business experience” at my age. Besides the programming, I did all the marketing/promotion/advertising, managed the budget, and maintained the website. There are thousands of players from all countries and of all ages. BUT obviously this doesn’t involve my school. Yes/No?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Also, adding some insight would be much appreciated.</p>

<p>Thanks,
JBernardino</p>

2

<p>They're hobbies.</p>

<p>I included a section for hobbies on my resume.</p>

3

<p>But I'd like to know how much value they carry.</p>

<p>I.E.</p>

<h1>1 I put about 8 hours a week into a club at my school, discussing religion and spirituality, etc.</h1>

<h1>2 I put about 15 hours a week into my online business/game project. Which, personally, I believe teaches me far more than #1 does.</h1>

<p>...But because #2 doesn't involve the school it is simply a hobby and nothing more?</p>

4

<p>If you put it as a hobby, it'll make you look more interesting; you'll look like you really do this solely for personal joy.</p>

<p>If it's considered as a club activity, admissions officers could mistake it as something you do for school.</p>

<p>That's my thought.</p>

5

<p>What? I don't differentiate between hobbies and ECs. On the common app or otherwise.</p>

6

<p>Guitar could be. Have you done any activities, even if outside of school, like competitions or certification or examinations etc.?</p>

<p>The game...how long have you done that? was that a one time thing?</p>

7

<p>lhDCpage06:</p>

<p>Guitar - Well, I have a band and we have performed at parties and things like that.</p>

<p>The Game - I released it 3 years ago and add updates to it every few days. I plan to be running it even in the next 10 years. I'd say it's permanent.</p>

8

<p>What is difference between hobby and EC?</p>

9

<p>Some of the EC's which I included, which have nothing to do with school </p>

<p>-Web Development in XHTML/PHP/Javascript/etc , web design
-Hosting internet gameservers for the world community
-Child sponsoring in Kenya
-Digital Music Composition
-Piano
-Cancer research soccer matches by professional VS High School </p>

<p>My guess is that it shouldn't be ENTIRELY a hobby--i.e. video games, or listening to music will not help you out...but things like video game CREATION or music CREATION do count. Of course this is just my perspective so feel free to bash me ;)</p>

10

<p>An EC is whatever you do with the time you aren't in school, aren't doing homework and aren't asleep.</p>

11

<p>there aren't any real definitions, but you can always make those hobbies sound like activities. for example: spending time creating games to benefit and having fun with kids or stuff like that... instead saying you play guitar for fun, say like I used to play guitar in a band with people and go around, perform for different groups ... make an activity sounds interesting to "sell yourself at a higher price" but don't exaggerate too much.</p>

<p>
[quote]
An EC is whatever you do with the time you aren't in school, aren't doing homework and aren't asleep.

[/quote]

so spending time with my girlfriend considered??? hobby I guess, or is it an EC if I don't like my girlfriend that much?</p>

12

<p>Its an EC, but I wouldn't put it down on my application.</p>

13

<p>I'd say, if you need more things to fill out your application, or if you are attaching a resume to your application, you might want to add this stuff.</p>

14

<p>All of the things that you listed are considered ECs. The things that you have done with that game are particularly impressive. Provide a brief explanation when you list them on your app.</p>

<p>Colleges want to know about ECs because they like to have students on campus who can contribute to the campus environment in more ways than showing up in class and studying. This particularly is important for the very top colleges, which have an overabundance of high stat applicants, so select students to create well rounded classes representing a variety of interests and backgrounds.</p>

15

<p>All of those are legitimate things to list on an application under Extracurricular Activities. When in doubt, put it down. Never leave something out!!!</p>