essay vs. list of ECs

Applying to College
1

<p>I really want to write my essay on a smaller EC that I did but influenced me a lot more as a person than my larger ECs. so if I list the ECs that the application allows me to and keep this one off, but write about it in the essay, would that seem like i'm trying to pad my application?</p>

<p>and would a pro-affirmative action/learning about inner-city kids essay be very cliched? </p>

<p>i'm asian btw</p>

2

<p>1) That should be fine.
2) Depends on how you approach the essay; it has the potential to be very cliche, but it also has the potential to give great insight into you as a person.</p>