<p>Just had a quick question about extra curricular activities. I have a pretty solid list of ECs but there is no defining theme. At the start of high school, I was interested in business but with time, I actually became more interested in medicine. I still continued on with the business extra curricular activities that I began participating in (internship at local business, clubs, etc.) while also starting to do more activities related to math, science, and the medical field in general. I was just wondering if this will be an actual disadvantage when applying to schools. I thought it could show that I'm a well rounded student with a number of interests but it could also come off as not having a passion? I'm really not sure how colleges will view it.</p>
<p>Let me know what you think! </p>
<p>I’m sure when the time comes that you are applying to colleges, you will be able to find a way to group them so they look cohesive. In the meantime, you should pursue EC’s that interest you without impressing college admissions be a goal.</p>
<p>BTW, medicine and business are not mutually exclusive; running a medical practice is a business.</p>
<p>I’ve been in a lot of activities, but when it came time to apply, I only listed the ones that I’ve been doing for all 4 years, because those clearly meant the most to me. Unless you’ve had a major leadership role, or won some awards in some of the more random activities, don’t even bother listing them. </p>
It depends, while colleges like to see experience in the field you plan to study, they also like a well rounded applicant. From my experience (it’s different for everyone) they liked that I had a variation in my EC’s (GSA and SASV clubs, piano, The Senate Page Program, and Tae Kwon Do to name a few), but I worked with younger kids (babysitting and assistant teaching in TKD), which demonstrated interested in my to-be field of study-education. So as long as you show some EC’s relating to the major you plan for, it’s good.
I’d put things you did for 2 or 3 years if you are still doing them as a senior, though.
This seems like a needless concern to me. People have various interests. One should not restrict themselves to interests that have a certain ‘theme.’
That period in American medicine has essentially passed.
The problem with “business and medicine” is it makes the aspirant appear too self-interested.
@oxoxhawja3xoxo
I wholeheartedly disagree. Of course, if you are running out of space in your application, then prioritizing your list may be a concern. However, if you have a genuine interest in and EC, you should list it on your apllication. It really makes no sense not to, actually. I don’t know about anyone else, but there are some clubs that I am simply a member of, and I’m fine saying that. Just because one doesn’t have a leadership position or awards does not mean they are not passionate about their ECs, it just means they didn’t have a leadership position. People’s interests change over time too - I don’t think I had any intention of doing BPA my freshman and sophomore years, but I gave it a chance junior year and loved it. YMMV.
@JustOneDad
How so?
Trust me though, there are still quite a few private medical practices in the United States.
Altruism continues to be a vital concept in the practice of medicine.
And: that’s what Practice Managers are for.
@JustOneDad
Business ≠ lack of altruism.
Changing interests is fine and nothing to hide! You don’t have to even tell them you changed interests, just show them how you “grew” over the course of the years.
My D grouped hers like a “skills” resume. For instance:
Leadership Activities: blah blah blah
Community Service Activities: blah blah blah
Work Experience: blah blah blah
Club Memberships: blah blah (yes, she put all of these on one line, especially if she wasn’t a leader but just a participant)
Other Skills/Interests: blah blah blah
It was a little risky but I think it worked–she hasn’t received any rejections yet. There was a little bit of overlap, for instance, if she was a member of a club for 2 years and a leader in for 1 year, but it made sense when you actually look at it. Within each category the most important and most recent part was at the top (reverse chronological order) .
You do NOT have to fill in all 10 spots on the common app. They don’t want to see every single thing you’ve ever done, just a well edited version that helps them figure out how you will fit into their school.
I find it hard to believe that the ordering or grouping of a list of ECs is going to have any kind of significant impact on ones chances of being accepted to a school. Personally I think they should simply be listed in order of personal importance. If being a member of the Harry Potter Fan Club is a more personally significant EC than ones other ECs…then it should be put first.
@justonedad - There are still plenty of privately owned medical practices in the US. The bigger and well known medical facilities in the country are of course not privately owned, and most major hospitals are not privately owned. However, there are plenty of small town doctor’s offices still. A great deal of these small practices are privately owned and managed by the doctors themselves.
30 years ago, 40% of physicians were in private solo practices. It has now fallen to less than 20% and continues to decline. In some areas, including “rural” areas you cite, they have all but disappeared. Because of capitation and other even newer delivery models, the decline will continue.
@arandomgreek I’m just giving my two cents. That absolutely worked for me.