<p>Hey, the question is as in the title of the thread. The ECs I'm referring to are: competitive junior powerlifter (have placed) and I help run a fledgling sports performance website that will soon put out some sport training dvds that I helped produce. I may also compete in a jr. bodybuilding contest if the oppurtunity arrises. These are things that I am exceptionally passionate about and could talk and write about for hours, but I'll stop here.</p>
<p>Do These ECs Help Me Stand Out?</p>
<p>No not much, colleges like passion and that part will help. But unless your school has a competitive bodybuilding program it think it will be classified more like a hobby… If your start a successful business selling your DVD’s that would help, but putting anything on the web (unless it makes you $) doesn’t impress.</p>
<p>Definitely write an essay about this, it is unique.</p>
<p>I think that if you describe what you are doing in your resume, this will help you stand out. Many kids say that they started a website on their resume, so I don’t see why you can’t put this down. I definitely think you should list power-lifting as an EC (like tennis or basketball, its a sport, right?)</p>
<p>Should help a little, but the real impact will be in the essays, I think.</p>
<p>Where? At a top college? No. At a selective college? Sure. The vast majority of colleges don’t care about ECs anyway.</p>
<p>@ncmentor</p>
<p>it looks better if you do stuff OUTSIDE of highschool</p>
<p>“it looks better if you do stuff OUTSIDE of high school”</p>
<p>Yes it does, Something for the community, A job, Volunteering.</p>
<p>I know lots of kids with Black Belts, and it does show commitment, but it often gets treated more like a hobby. As opposed to being a Eagal Scout that also shows commitment but generally helps the community and is considered an excellent EC.</p>
<p>if thats true then that would mean that HS athletics aare also hobbies?</p>
<p>its a competative sport so it should count gfor college
especially if youre ppassionate about it.
but then again - does it have anything to do with what u want to be?</p>
<p>It’s not an NCAA sport that will get you recruited, but it’s a fine EC. No better or worse than any other endeavor such as music, publishing poetry, or figure skating.</p>
<p>One thing I would caution is that weightlifting and body building have an unsavory side in that they are commonly viewed as being drenched in steroids. So if possible (and assuming it’s true), you may want to mention in the essay how important it is to you to compete “naturally.”</p>
<p>I think that’s fairly unique, especially for the top universities. Just be sure to note your accomplishments. If your DVD sells, that’s even better.</p>