<p>Just curious, what do you think is better: having many ec's that one has committed time to, but are all different (i.e. Model U.N, school newspaper, french club, and drama club) or to have a few ec's that one has committed time to and are within their passion/interest. (i.e school newspaper, book club and literary club.) </p>
<p>I was just wondering because sometimes I see chance threads where people list a ton of ec's all different and varying, not that theres anything wrong with that, and people tell them usually that they need to focus more on what there passion/interest is and pursue it, while others have a few that are in the area of their interest and people post that they need more ec's. So i just wanted to find out, what people think of this. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>have a few that you commit to and are really passionate about. but if you are equally passionate about lots of things and can commit lots of time to all of them, then go right ahead.</p>
<p>personally i don't see the point in having too many ec's. ec's don't mean much when all you do is list them. if you can't make them meaningful to the admission people (through essays, recs, interview, etc) then they are just seen as padding.</p>
<p>but of course, if on your list you have several national titles, then that alone makes it meaningful to the admission officers. </p>
<p>"while others have a few that are in the area of their interest and people post that they need more ec's."
I guess what they're saying is that it's better to have many ec's but have a few very very strong ones. i personally don't think that's necessary, but they may have a point. do what makes you happy.</p>
<p>at first i thought i wasn't gonna have a shot, cuz i only have a few ec's. but the few activities (japanese club, cross country, track) i choose to do are my life. and that shows in my essays and interview and recs. and now i'm on the waiting list.
but then again, maybe if i had shown a wider range of interests, i would've made it. hope all these posts helped.</p>
<p>Every Ivy presentation I've ever been to says they'd rather see just a few ECs that the student clearly cares about. If they are clearly add up to a picture that's a bonus. For example, you might have a couple of ECs that show you are interested in international issues, or that show that you are interested in medicine, or that label you as a computer nerd/science type, or that show you are a serious musician. Harvard does accept some well rounded kids, but many more have some passionate interest. Remember they are more interested in finding future leaders and creating a well-rounded class than in well-rounded students.</p>
<p>BTW, I don't think you should pick your ECs with college admissions in mind. Do what you love and then find the colleges that love you for it.</p>
<p>My ECs were kind of random. Newspaper, Human Rights/Gay Straight Alliance, karate, lit mag, french club, enviro club, some other writing-related stuff, NHS. As you can see, there were definitely a couple of resume filling clubs that weren't terribly important to me. However, I think the trick ultimately was to tie some interests together (human rights, journalism) and emphasize those. You definitely need one or two ECs that are heavy duty, but a tiny bit of club overkill shouldn't hurt you...</p>
<p>Thanks, just curious because this year i decided not to do ec's to focus on my grade but in general, so far my interests are:
violin
reading/writing
law
volunteering
and I think those pretty much show in my classes, activities, etc.</p>
<p>On the other hand I have a friend (interested in going to an ivy) who does random ec's, but is commited to them:
building with books
student government association
debate team</p>
<p>i was just wondering so in later years i dont go crazy thinking i did the wrong thing! Thanks!</p>
<p>I didn't think that alot of ec's are necessary, i always thought it would be better to have a few that you are really commited to instead of alot of ec's to fill up their resume, so i wanted to find out other peoples opinion.</p>