ECs on Common App

<p>True to Murphy's law, I have run into the following problem with the Common App: I have 9 significant ECs I would like to list, Common App has 7 spaces. It seems silly to attach a resume for two additional ECs (but on the other hand, some might need more explanation, which would merit the addition of a resume) I know it says to pick the most important, but I feel like all of them are significant/show something about me. So I'm looking for guidance. Resume or no? Is there an extracurricular I should just leave off? If I am going to attach a resume, which ECs should I leave off the Common App form (knowing that maybe the admissions officer won't even look at the resume)?</p>

<p>I'm applying early to Swarthmore, if that makes a difference. </p>

<p>ECs I want to list, in no particular order:
1) Morris Dance (9-12, junior squire 12)
a kind of English folk dance. 2 hours/week plus 5-6 weekend performances in the spring.
2) Folk Arts Center of New England Program Committee (11-12). Youth representative. 2 hours/month.
3) A Cappella (10-12, co-director 12)
member and now director of my school's all-female a cappella ensemble. 3 hours per week, now more like 4-5 senior year because of directing responsibilities.
4) Village Harmony (summer before 12) This is a 3-week summer program which involves an intensive rehearsal week to learn a concert repertoire (~25 songs) of international folk music and two weeks of concert touring. 8+ hours/day.
5) Gay-Straight Alliance (9-12, ToBGLADay panel organizer 9, SpeakOut reader 11) Pretty self-explanatory. 1 hour per week.
6) Volunteer work with PeaceWorks, Inc. (9-12). This is my mother's non-profit organization, which works with survivors of violence. I answer phones, help with events, do graphics work, data entry, editing...just about everything. Maybe 1 hour per week.
7) Church Youth Group (9-12, Benefit Coffeehouse refreshments organizer 9, performer 9-12). 1 hour/week, more around Coffeehouse time.
8) Theatre Ink (11-12) Involved in school theatre productions since mid-junior year--2 so far, hoping 1 more before the app goes in. 20+ hours/week, 16 weeks/year (8 weeks per show).
9) Junior National Association for the Deaf (9-12) I am one of the only hearing members of this club at our school. I am near-fluent in American Sign Language.</p>

<p>As someone who has kept myself busy/investigated my many interests with a variety of "minor" activities, I feel that I need to list all of these to paint a complete extracurricular picture of myself. </p>

<p>Another question--what order should I put these in? It says in order of interest, but they all interest me in different ways. Should I put the most time consuming (theatre), those that show long-term commitment (dance), or leadership positions (FACNE, a cappella, dance), those that are community service/"good-cause" related (GSA, church, volunteering), those that showcase a unique interest (JNAD), those that have had the biggest impact on me (a cappella, VH)...</p>

<p>I think I'm overthinking this. A lot. But any kind of advice would be very helpful. Thank you in advance!</p>

<p>I'd take out a couple of 1 hour per week activties. The amount of time devoted to those is insignificant IMHO.</p>

<p>Yes, the one hour activities are probably not very significant in your app. But don't worry, your teachers are probably aware of what you do, and that will probably be reflected in your recs.</p>

<p>You can also add anything you took off the EC section into the "Additional Info" section without needing to make it a resume.</p>