What EC’s would be good for applying for an engineering major? I’m going into my second year of high school, and I wanted to figure out everything. I’m interested in majoring in EE/CS and I want to go to UCSB or UCSD. Are there any EC’s for engineering that colleges would be interested in?
Rather than trying to reverse engineer from the point of view of what schools will like, you’re better off choosing something YOU like. This is important for two reasons. First, schools can typically differentiate between genuine vs. calculated involvement. More importantly, you won’t know for certain that will get you in anyway. You might as well pick something you enjoy because that might be all that comes of it. With that said, First Robitics is a common choice. Leadership in any EC is typically greeted favorably. Good luck!
Try also to get an internship in a big company, I’m doing one this summer and it really gives you a good idea of what an engineering company is really like (you’ll be using A LOT of computers, and sitting in a desk for a LONG time), and besides the experience you can get some money which is always good.
eyemgh is right. Don’t try to reverse engineer your application. That, more often than not, leads to you hating the discipline you thought you wanted to study. Figure out what you enjoy and do that.
That being said, some common “engineering ECs” include: VEX Robotics, FIRST Robotics, computer science stuff (creating apps and whatnot), internships, research, Science Olympiad, Science Bowl, and Math/Physics/Chemistry/Biology Olympiad (depending on your engineering branch)
Universities are interested in students who are involved and active and well-rounded. They don’t really care that much about which groups, they just want to see a student who is going to be part of a community, not just sitting in their dorm.
Engineering colleges want to see students with good scientific preparation, good grades and the right coursework. They know that not all high school students have access to engineering ECs, so it isn’t a big deal if you aren’t part of something that is really engineering-focused.
So what engineering and non-engineering ECs are available to you at or near your school? Which of them sound interesting enough that you would enjoy being a part, even leading?
Many years ago I was with my son visiting one of the schools you are interested in. I stopped to just take in the view of the campus when the director of admissions (recognized her from the presentation she had given earlier that day) walked by and asked if I was lost. I said “no” and then we started talking. One topic was ECs. Her take on them was interesting.
College is much different from high school in that there are so many more activities that one can get involved in. So, one thought that goes thru an admissions person mind when reading your application is; Can this person be involved in the campus with all the time commitment that it entails and still be as successful as in high school? A demonstrated track record within a high school EC can answer that question.
Also, the college is looking for leaders, ones that will take the initiative and be one that others will follow. Ones that will also take the initative in their careers and put the school in good light. After all, as much as you are asking the college to admit you, they are looking to attract the best students they can and are very protective of their images.
IMHO, ECs don’t have to be in engineering to demonstrate those qualities. Varsity sports, Boy Scouts or Girl Scout, etc. can also demonstrate the traits that the colleges are looking for. You will have plenty of EC opportunities in college that will be orientated toward your major. Pick something in high school where you can have fun and enjoy while picking up the skills to succeed. Your academic record will demonstrate the STEM preparation required.
When we visited one college, I asked about doing First Robotics (which conflicted with another EC timeslot). I asked because of concern about whether DS would like engineering / STEM schools, not for resume purposes. The admission rep said, “he should do whatever he loves to do”. So DS did lots of music (including composing) and other cool things in high school.
In retrospect, it was a good decision for him. BUT it meant that he had to play some catch up on programming/computer skills. Interestingly it was not until he took a college programming class that he learned he really loved programming. Today he is a software engineer.