ECs: Quality vs Quantity (?)

<p>I've been wondering about this, and <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/82799-how-impress-adcoms-your-extracurriculars-33.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/82799-how-impress-adcoms-your-extracurriculars-33.html&lt;/a> has given me excellent tips and insights. However, I'm not sure if this applies to me, since the poster is talking about kids who have a crazily long list of ECs who concentrate only one 1 or 2 ECs on the essay.</p>

<p>The problem:
I'm only in 2 clubs, one which I founded, and the other which I'm merely a member.
I play one varsity sport, but I'm not the captain.
I do only 12 hrs community service a year</p>

<h2>I'm an international</h2>

<p>However, the club that I founded really connects to the essay which is for next year, and I've organized fairly successful fundraisers. So, will adcoms not care if my ECs are very concentrated on one, given that I have so FEW ECs? Or will they think that the time I didn't waste on other generic ECs were concentrated on my main EC (the club I founded and organized fundraisers)?
Thanks a lot for the feedback!</p>

<p>It all depends. </p>

<p>How many clubs does your school offer?</p>

<p>Remember, they want kids who will be great representatives for the school! If you can demonstrate that ability with only 2 clubs, go for it! </p>

<p>Remember, if environmental/social/medial issues restricted you from participation in x clubs/activities, make sure to document that.</p>

<p>There will always be kids with a laundry list of random activities that illustrate zero commitment/interest to anything consistent. Don't worry, adcoms are not fooled easily! </p>

<p>However, because you are an international, the American rules no longer apply. You really are going to have to fight to be the best. Recruit for more clubs, start an alternative/competing newspaper, intern with civil service employees, work (even for 2 or 3 hours a week), do stuff with your time!!!</p>

<p>It sucks I know, but that's the process. IT would be easier to know what schools you are applying for!!</p>

<p>I'm looking at Stanford as my first choice for now, so I guess I'm in a VERY BAD situation...
my school offers like 10 clubs, but at most only 2-3 actually hold meetings. The rest are just made-up clubs for ppl to put in their college apps.</p>

<p>It also depends on the way you package it. If you successfully do as you're saying and talk about your founded club in an essay that relates to you and your personality, then you can show a lot more depth than being in 4 more clubs would.
But if you want another EC, not necessarily for college, but to gain more knowledge in general about your "field," then you should get a job/internship or something.</p>

<p>Wow, thanks a lot guys! that really alleviated some of my concerns, because while I was looking at other ppl's ECs I was like... dang, haha...</p>

<p>Do you live in Kowloon lol? All my relatives live there. I'm going there this summer! ;P
Umm, back on topic...make sure you show passion in your EC's. For example, I only focused on a few of my EC's that I really enjoyed and spent much of my time in. I didn't even bother mentioning the pointless (at least in my school) National Honor Society, Beta Club, etc.</p>

<p>
[quote]

I'm looking at Stanford as my first choice for now, so I guess I'm in a VERY BAD situation...
my school offers like 10 clubs, but at most only 2-3 actually hold meetings. The rest are just made-up clubs for ppl to put in their college apps.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Stanford?? </p>

<p>Are you sure about that one? Last year they only accepted 100 international students.</p>

<p>Assuming you score 2400 SAT and a 36 ACT, you're still way off with listed e.c. </p>

<p>I'd consider researching schools and profiles of your competitors. Many of these Stanford-wannabes have been tailed by their parents since the 1st grade. If you go to the parents forum, you'll see what I mean. XD</p>

<p>Just have fun, it's only school. 10 years from now no one will care if you want to Stanford or state school.</p>

<p>Come on!

[quote]
Assuming you score 2400 SAT and a 36 ACT, you're still way off with listed e.c.

[/quote]

Does this come from any logical source, or are you just throwing more unsubstantiated BS out there?</p>

<p>
[quote]

Does this come from any logical source, or are you just throwing more unsubstantiated BS out there?
raimius is offline

[/quote]
</p>

<p>No, this is coming from my appreciation for the selection process that Stanford operates under.</p>

<p>Stanford does not need more 2400 SAT and 36 ACT. They're looking for kids who STAND OUT, and that includes activities not academic/graded. </p>

<p>Would you rather be the kid with mediocre grades but excellent e.c or fantastic grades with mediocre e.c?</p>

<p>Assuming you apply to Stanford of course....</p>

<p>Basically, A low-grade student with high interest in e.c has more of a chance than a high grade student with a low interest in e.c. THIS IS A FACT.</p>

<p>^ yeah. I noticed that Stanford, despite being in line (or better) than HYP, they had the lowest 50% SAT/ACT scores, so I <em>assumed</em> that they cared a bit less about SATs than HYP, since I've seen a bunch of ppl with 2300 get rejected, while ppl with 2000~2100 get in because of both AA + a lot of leadership/community ECs (assuming that my SATs are 2200 +, and that I'm from a underrepresented country from latinamerica)</p>

<p>And remember, Stanford is obligated to admit x # of lower stat students. I mean, they don't HAVE to, but they do anyways.</p>

<p>So sometimes a kid with a 2100 and 3.8 GPA will get the green solely because he's a notch below the 2300 4.6 GPA.</p>

<p>You can't have all chiefs and no Indians...: )</p>

<p>
[QUOTE]
yeah. I noticed that Stanford, despite being in line (or better) than HYP, they had the lowest 50% SAT/ACT scores, so I <em>assumed</em> that they cared a bit less about SATs than HYP, since I've seen a bunch of ppl with 2300 get rejected, while ppl with 2000~2100 get in because of both AA + a lot of leadership/community ECs (assuming that my SATs are 2200 +, and that I'm from a underrepresented country from latinamerica)

[/QUOTE]
</p>

<p>Really? I've always thought Stanford was the school that cared the most about the SAT's on earth. But the fact that they look @ EC's more is good news for me!</p>

<p>"o you live in Kowloon lol? All my relatives live there."</p>

<p>Yes, do you? I spent several weeks in HK over the summer and LOVED Kowloon! I also have met some exchange students at my S's college who attend Kowloon Baptist College.</p>

<p>Back to subject: Colleges care far more about the depth of your ECs than the length of your EC list.</p>

<p>Nine dragons, baby! :D</p>