ECs

Applying to College
1

I am junior attending a high school in Texas. I am aiming for elite schools for undergrad. I am worried that my Ec’s are too spaced out. This is what I am doing.

I play the trumpet. I spend about 30 hrs a week.
3 years county band and 1 year state, i am sure i will make both again next year
an orchestra i have been part of for 3 years and again next year
another orchestra i started being a part of this year and again next year
marching band: 3 years and next year, section leader this year and for next
3 years and next year of track, 2 years varsity and hopfully next year
3 years and hopefully next year of student government
3 years and also next year of pit orchestra
3 years and also next year math team
i got 131 on amc 12 and 12 on aime, so i am sure i will qualify for usamo this year and also next year
3 years and also next year chess club
3 years and also next year newspaper club
3 years and next year of its academic, varsity this year and hopefully again next year
i am doing research at a center since 9th grade 6 hrs a week
i am doing another research i started doing this year 6 hrs a week
and also im am doing a internship over the summer since summer of 9th grade 40 hrs a week
national honors society/national honors music sciety this year and next

I think that is about it. If i forget anything or you need more info i will post it. I am worried my Ecs are too spaced out. Are my Ecs ok, or should i not put some of them on my apps? Thanks

2

<p>I and many other parents on this board interview for Ivies and also know a great deal about top school admission in general. The worst thing you can do with ECs is turn ina HUGE "laundry list" of a gazillion things. Top schools want to see dedicated passion and leadership on 2 or maybe 3 things. Generic club membership is useless. I would even claim that being a club officer is useless, unless you started the club and it did something really good and unique. Concentrate on your music and research (you can consolidate a lot of the music under one heading). Skip the clubs. Mention the track if you want to do track in college. I hope the internship is in the same kind of research you've been doing - then you can consolidate that (or if it is music, that would be good too).</p>

<p>Some kids can get away with stuff that is all over the place by showing a connection - eg if you like sailing AND biology, you can do marine bio research while sailing, or whatever.</p>

<p>Just list the honor societies under the section for academic awards or whatever.</p>