<p>I'm not sure I've seen this exact topic, so apologies if I missed it. How much weight did YOUR kid put into the availability of an EC that was important to them in choosing colleges? My older was on the swim team in HS but would likely not compete at a college level. She did want to be able to swim for exercise in college, though, so looked for schools that had recreational swimming. My younger D is deeply involved in an EC found primarily in her religious denomination and plans to continue with it. She is looking at schools that are either religious based, that offer it on campus as part of "religious life", or are close to churches of her denomination that offer this EC. The schools all offer other things she is looking for as well, but in some parts of the country and at many schools, this EC would NOT be available.</p>
<p>So I'm curious if any of your kids ran into this and what they did.</p>
<p>I think I saw that on the “silly reasons your kid rejected a school” thread. Was that you? True story-my ex turned down MIT because it wasn’t close to “real” skiing (like that found in his Rocky Mtn. hometown) for a state U. He made out ok though.</p>
<p>D wants to be able to dance and play her instrument when she goes to college. But, honestly, just about any school offers opportunities for lessons and even performing in common ECs like that. (No need for mountains nearby!) So it really hasn’t been a consideration at all. Tufts’ dance collective did catch her eye, though. And she thinks it’s pretty cool that her friends who are in the marching band at Notre Dame get some fun travel opportunities because of their participation in that. But it’s not like she’s into underwater hockey or extreme zorbing (found those when I googled “obscure sports” for a reference.) </p>
<p>My daughter’s second to top criteria was that she be able to play in the university orchestra and take instrument lessons…not as a music major or minor. That was THE hardest criteria to fulfill…but she found four schools she liked that fulfilled this. Music was really her most significant EC. She continues to play her instrument and she graduated from college in 2010.</p>
<p>Well, at first, d’14 was not going to look at a school without cheer. She softened on that a little as we got a few college visits under the belt. She thought track would be nice, and came to a place where she decided it was essential. She will be attending a DIII school, and she will be on the track team. Cheer, too, but only for football season. </p>
<p>My older d wanted to sing in a choir. She changed majors after arriving, but she has kept singing. </p>
<p>S considered the availability of a “nice pool” for recreational swimming (like the OP’s older D, he swam competitively for 10 years but did not want to compete in college) and a drama program that had opportunities for non-majors to perform. These were factors, but one school without either remained on his ‘top 5’ list (though it was not ultimately chosen; his destination for next fall has both). I think he realizes that he may want to explore new things in college (he’s actually said so), so having many options for ECs was also a factor in his final choice.</p>
<p>He tended to add schools to the list based on their programs in his desired major, and location (HAD to be west side of the US, the farthest east he would consider was Colorado). Then, some were removed because of (1) the overall “vibe” or feel of the campus, during our visit, (2) his realization that it was too far an academic reach (Harvey Mudd), or (3) my suggestion that it would not be affordable for us. </p>
<p>On the other hand, at college my daughter took up an EC (ballroom dance) at a rather competitive level that she had never done, never even did ballet, gymnastics, or any other sort of related thing in her earlier life. One never knows!</p>
<p>@donnaleighg, I was at UMD-CP a few weekends ago and walked in on a ballroom dancing competition at the student union. It looked like a lot of fun. I can see why she would take it up with a friend. There was a range of ability and levels from beginner to polished.</p>
<p>If this is important to your D, then it is something to consider. The presence of a Hillel was an important factor to us for many reasons, but one of them was to be able to participate in activities with peers, and having peers that share this interest.
For your D, participating in this EC on campus with other college students might be more fun than commuting to a local church, as there would be a peer group on campus that she can participate with. They may still interact with the local churches, but they could do it as a group of friends. Having a school group might mean more resources to participate- other students who can drive, more connections to churches.
This EC could also be part of the college visits, and your D can connect with student members while she is there. I think there are many important factors to weigh when considering if a college fits, but a personal or religious commitment is one of them.</p>
<p>We do plan to talk to people involved in the religious life at the schools we’re looking at and specifically involved in the EC if they’re around. It’s called praise dance, and D is one of the founding members of the troupe at her church. She’s danced in some fashion most of her life but this is really important to her as it combines her faith and her favorite activity. So far only 2 of the 7 schools on her list do not have a praise dance group. She’d like a non-audition choir as well, but that is secondary to the dancing.</p>
<p>That sounds like a cool EC and I think she’d enjoy being at a school where she can continue it- especially with peers since it’s a group activity. Isn’t your D still young- not in terms of looking but has some time before applying? It is possible that more groups will start up in the next year or so. When we toured colleges, many mentioned that if a student doesn’t see a club of interest, that it is possible to start one. Since your D started one at her church, she might also consider starting one at college if there is interest-but it would be a plus if one was already there. I think it’s important to consider colleges where peers share her passion- that is a part of “fit”.</p>
<p>For two of my kids it was a deal breaker - they wanted to be able to ski during the week. One of them stayed in the biz. My third wanted to continue to play his sport so for mine, yes, their primary and favorite EC is lifelong and they did not want to give it up for 4 years. I just can’t imagine that his would be unusual.</p>
<p>I recall that even in the 70s, I wanted to continue to play my instruments and my sport so being able to play in a college musical group and being able to be on the team were equally as important as the major I wanted. </p>
<p>Yes, Penny, she is a freshman, but she’s…driven. She has a plan, which is one of the reasons her entire summer is plotted out to maximize her goals, including a trip to see some of the colleges she has in mind. We’re just her sherpas. </p>
<p>Sounds like a focused kid! I would bet that before she applies, some of those colleges will have started praise dance clubs, so I’d keep the ones she is thinking about on her list. I would honor her interests but not eliminate any choice at this time since things can change in a few years and she can keep her options open. Once she sees some of them she may have a better idea of what she likes, and then perhaps there will be a club when she starts.
One idea would be for her to contact the student leaders or ministers and ask about one. Some may be in the planning stage. It sounds like your D knows what she wants- and it would be meaningful for her to continue this at college. It could be a deal breaker in a few years, but there is time to tell.</p>
<p>My DS is a tennis player, but academics is number one. I am sure that being able to play club tennis all year long was a big part of his decision to go to Miami. (But Miami was also number 1 in many, many other categories for him, but year-round sunshine is a definite plus.)</p>
<p>My daughter’s two main ECs in high school were the school paper (she was editor in chief senior year) and choir. When we shopped for colleges we always asked about these. It was a plus if the school had a daily vs. weekly paper and had a choir that was non-competitive (she was not interested in a serious a capella group) or a choir class you could take.</p>
<p>Fast-forward to college - she is not involved in either the school paper or any singing groups. (Her first semester she signed up for the choir class and then dropped it.) She is active in several on-campus groups that run the gamut from a professional society to a food group. </p>
<p>So, don’t be surprised if the ECs your child participates in at college are not those she enjoyed in HS.</p>
<p>I wonder if it’s different when it is faith-based? I admit that neither my H or I are especially religious, but it’s a big part of D’s life-she won’t consider going to college someplace without easy access to her denomination. This EC isn’t just a hobby for her, it is a way of worshiping. The choir involvement is less so, though she sings in two at the church. I fully expect her to find new interests, but I suspect at least a good part of her free time will be devoted to her new church or related groups. But what do I know? Long before I had left college I had left my own religion behind. </p>
</p>